Towbar revisited

[zei20t]

towbar install was fairly straight forward. removing the crash bar was fun. didnt see the bolts until some of the panel sealer was removed.

had to trim about 40mm extra from the bumper to get it to fit. but as i already had tow prep, it wasnt a huge job.

getting the bumper off and on was probably the most difficult part.

will post pics later

[arriba]

towbar install was fairly straight forward. removing the crash bar was fun. didnt see the bolts until some of the panel sealer was removed.

had to trim about 40mm extra from the bumper to get it to fit. but as i already had tow prep, it wasnt a huge job.

getting the bumper off and on was probably the most difficult part.

will post pics later

Hi, Please put some photos of the install up when you get a chance.

Thanks!

[Nyyyko]

towbar install was fairly straight forward. removing the crash bar was fun. didnt see the bolts until some of the panel sealer was removed.

had to trim about 40mm extra from the bumper to get it to fit. but as i already had tow prep, it wasnt a huge job.

getting the bumper off and on was probably the most difficult part.

will post pics later

You should not have needed to remove any more bumper for the bar. The key is to install the bar as far forward as possible within the long bolt on slot. Went to put bumper back on and found this out. Slid it in as far as I could and presto. I did need to cut off one of the rear lower bumper screw mounts to make way for the plug to swing up and out of the way. Quick and easy

[Nyyyko]

installed the wiring and tow module tonight. fairly easy to be honest. VERY glad my car had tow prep.

coded fine and passed diagnostics with the westfalia branded module

ill post photos after the towbar is installed on saturday.

Of note is that the newer CANBUS modules accept LED lights without needing to install load resistors... No pesky bulb failure warning!

[zei20t]

yeah photos dont want to upload. ill have to put them on my one drive and link to them

[zei20t]

OK, photos of the work!

Firstly, after taking off the rear bumper. The crash bar is bolted on to the end of the chassis rails. its semi stuck on with body sealer. Have to be VERY careful you dont tear it off the car. Need to cut it where required to remove the crash bar:



Crash bar removed, I used an enamel paint on the exposed metal area, just to make sure nothing would easily get rusty:



Towbar in installed position. It basically replaces the crash bar location. But bolts on down the chassis rails instead of on the end of them:



Close up of some more painting exposed areas. I did several coats just for fun:



Where the gooseneck fits into place:



Completed install and bumper - slightly trimmed - back into place:



Took probably 2.5 hours with some assistance to remove and replace the bumper. it was probably the most painful part of the installation.

[LunchboxVRS]

So just tried to fit the westfalia Towbar to my mk3 vrs. It's a my 16 built 12/15. Seems the changed the tow prep wiring. It's not the red plug. Same shape but black and less wires. Also the tow bar is to far in and the bar Dosnt fit on to the lower section. Westfalia said there is new wiring kit and a new attachment for the hitch to go into but Dosnt solve the issue.

[zei20t]

hmmm mk3 is a new beast it seems!

also, i think you have the mount for the plug on the wrong side of the hitch mount. it should be bolted onto the other side, but still facing left

[LunchboxVRS]

hmmm mk3 is a new beast it seems!

also, i think you have the mount for the plug on the wrong side of the hitch mount. it should be bolted onto the other side, but still facing left

I thought that too as I had seen others but it Dosnt reach. And the cut out is bigger on the left. I tried a couple of ways to try make it fit but nothing worked

[zei20t]

I thought that too as I had seen others but it Dosnt reach. And the cut out is bigger on the left. I tried a couple of ways to try make it fit but nothing worked

hmm perhaps they are supplying the wrong part with the kit?

i need to take mine off, or just leave it where i left it and deal with it. if it doesnt fall off and doesnt foul anything, i really dont mind where it is