Tow Bar for the Tiguan

[Hillbilly]

I can't find anywhere that VW has said that the older vehicles when fitted with the new tow bar do not comply so by omission they are sanctioning the change. Can you show me where VW have put a rider on the older vehicles when it is fitted with a new tow bar? BTW I am playing the devils advocate here and nothing more. Has anyone seen a tech bulletin saying to dealers that owners must be warned of the limits of different vehicles when fitted with the 200kg tow bar? If not then VW are condoning the new weight limit on older vehicles and Toyotas are not VW's.

The same rules apply to all makes and the point you dont seem to accept is that unless VW actually publish an alteration to the model specs the original still applies as it did with the Toyota.

Just because they make something that fits on a vehicle but exceeds its design parameters does not make it right or legal.

DMN went in and bought a bar that fitted, certainly but to put it on a prev model that has a lighter limit may not make it legal.

Only VW can answer the question truthfully.

They dont have to put a rider or anything on the older vehicles They have stated its limit and havent changed it to accommodate a newer accessorry and by not doing that they have left the limit the same as it was.

The numpty in spares probably is only interested in the fact that it fits and thats it.

He is not there to tell you whats what, its up to owners to ensure their vehicle is legal and compliant

[Ozsko]

The same rules apply to all makes and the point you dont seem to accept is that unless VW actually publish an alteration to the model specs the original still applies as it did with the Toyota.

Just because they make something that fits on a vehicle but exceeds its design parameters does not make it right or legal.

DMN went in and bought a bar that fitted, certainly but to put it on a prev model that has a lighter limit may not make it legal.

Only VW can answer the question truthfully.

They dont have to put a rider or anything on the older vehicles They have stated its limit and havent changed it to accommodate a newer accessorry and by not doing that they have left the limit the same as it was.

The numpty in spares probably is only interested in the fact that it fits and thats it.

He is not there to tell you whats what, its up to owners to ensure their vehicle is legal and compliant

You don't read well, again devil's advocate, if VW do not want dealers to make a vehicle non compliant it is up to them as the overall technical supervisor to make sure DEALERS know that they will make the vehicle non compliant and not the OWNER as the owner is relying on VW to have ensured this and again Toyotas have nothing to do with V W's but you don't seem to get that point. What Toyota did is nothing to do with what VW should or could have done. VW if they do not want a dealer to make a vehicle non compliant in one of their franchised/authorised workshops will need to issue a TB to that effect and spare parts would be made aware of it and towbars issued with correct applicability via VIN numbers. It does not appear to have been done so far. Yes I am aware of all this stuff because I worked in automotive dealers for a long time in both service and spare parts.

[dmn]

Ok thanks. Do you know if the bumper on the Tiguan R-Line needs to be modified (cut) for this bumper to fit?
i ask because I have a Wolfsburg to be deleivered first week of feb and the first thing I will do is put a tow bar on.

Hi jdstephens - on my MY17 R-Line I had to cut the bumper when it was off, the template/cut size comes with the fitting kit, there was no way it would have fitted without cutting it as it jams on the top of the tongue so kinks the base of the bumper in and looks like sh*t. As an fyi, I used a dremel with a high speed disc but be careful as its polyurethane so goes through like butter...just do a bit at a time and check the clearances by just sitting the bumper near its normal position and do a visual, 2 peeps are recommended, once on, you don't even see it. There is also a rubber strip (supplied) that fits between the bar and the bit that you cut out so it looks tidy when the bumper is fitted, its not hard to do so just take your time. I am not aware if my bumper is the same as the Wolfsburg though so others would be better commenting on that one - hth

[Hillbilly]

You don't read well, again devil's advocate, if VW do not want dealers to make a vehicle non compliant it is up to them as the overall technical supervisor to make sure DEALERS know that they will make the vehicle non compliant and not the OWNER as the owner is relying on VW to have ensured this and again Toyotas have nothing to do with V W's but you don't seem to get that point. What Toyota did is nothing to do with what VW should or could have done. VW if they do not want a dealer to make a vehicle non compliant in one of their franchised/authorised workshops will need to issue a TB to that effect and spare parts would be made aware of it and towbars issued with correct applicability via VIN numbers. It does not appear to have been done so far. Yes I am aware of all this stuff because I worked in automotive dealers for a long time in both service and spare parts.

Was only using Toyota as an example and there are other makes with similar situations. The ADR rules state only towing capacity and leave the towball weight to the manufacturer. It seems unfortunate the VW have not issued anything and legally they dont probably have to as when the vehicle was built it would have had a rating and thats it. There are plenty of things that "can " be fitted but shouldnt be.
Also the rating of a towbar does not trump the manufacturers rating for the vehicle. Im not trying to be smart but they are the rules as far as I am aware. I can probably buy a bar for my Passat with a higher ballweight limit than VW rate the vehicle for but it wouldnt be legal would it.

Pajeros have the same problem as do some Prados in which later models have a higher rating than older ones and yet the uprated towbars fit both but not legally on the old ones

Why doesnt an owner simply ask VW head office and get a true ruling on it.

It states in my manual and also in the brochure for the model year what the towball weight limit is so does it not do that in a Tiguan

[dmn]

The same rules apply to all makes and the point you dont seem to accept is that unless VW actually publish an alteration to the model specs the original still applies as it did with the Toyota.

Just because they make something that fits on a vehicle but exceeds its design parameters does not make it right or legal.

DMN went in and bought a bar that fitted, certainly but to put it on a prev model that has a lighter limit may not make it legal.

Only VW can answer the question truthfully.

They dont have to put a rider or anything on the older vehicles They have stated its limit and havent changed it to accommodate a newer accessorry and by not doing that they have left the limit the same as it was.

The numpty in spares probably is only interested in the fact that it fits and thats it.

He is not there to tell you whats what, its up to owners to ensure their vehicle is legal and compliant

Hi Hillbilly - as far as I am concerned, the bar is legal, see image that comes with the fitting kit which is attached to the 'B' pillar on my Tig, this was the main reason I purchased this bar, its complaint and meets the ADR rules so there should not be any insurance issues should the need ever arise:



I am aware that VW did have issues with the towbars on the tiggy's earlier on in the MK11's but this has now been obviously sorted, and not before time + the box that the towbar comes with has its own part number with all the bits and pieces clearly identified and even has the fitting instructions. The electrics has a seperate part number, and again, all bits are clearly identified with instructions. As we all know they are made by best bars for VW but that's how it is, if you don't like it, don't buy it. I am also aware that Westfalia make the OEM bars but the biggest issue I had was not the actual towbar, it was the wiring/coding as there are some cowboys out there. As an FYI, the electrics module just plugs in so no cutting/modifying is required..

There is only one towbar, at this stage for the tiguans, how do I know this? - the numpty that you are referring to is my son who works in the genuine parts department. BTW, don't really car about the tonque download weight as I only have a 6X4 trailer.

[Clarkie]

My old trailer hitch lock that I was using on another car doesn’t fit the Tiguan. I think it’s the arched part underneath the ball that doesn’t allow it to get high enough to put the cross bar thru.

Anyone know of any brands that fit?

[jdstephens]

Hi jdstephens - on my MY17 R-Line I had to cut the bumper when it was off, the template/cut size comes with the fitting kit, there was no way it would have fitted without cutting it as it jams on the top of the tongue so kinks the base of the bumper in and looks like sh*t.

Thanks for this!

Was this a VW towbar or from a 3rd party? Because the service department at my dealer has just told me it doesn't need to be cut. I'll be annoyed when I pick up the vehicle and see the bumper has been cut after been told it won't.

[jdstephens]

So before I purchased my vehicle I was quoted $1600 for supply and fit a towbar, now that Ive signed a contract Ive been told its now $1733. I just rang the spare parts department from the same dealer and they tell me its $2125. Amazing how prices keep going up. Looks like I take the $1733 offer.

Of note, the service department has told me that after the towbar is fitted it will effect the 'foot swipe to open the boot' because it partially covers the sensor. Damn, has anyone noticed this?

[dmn]

Thanks for this!

Was this a VW towbar or from a 3rd party? Because the service department at my dealer has just told me it doesn't need to be cut. I'll be annoyed when I pick up the vehicle and see the bumper has been cut after been told it won't.

Purchased from VW...see part number on image. It had to be cut on my r-line as there was no way it would have fitted...if the Wolfsburg has a different spec bumper as compared to the r-line I am sure somebody on this forum can answer

[jdstephens]

Purchased from VW...see part number on image. It had to be cut on my r-line as there was no way it would have fitted...if the Wolfsburg has a different spec bumper as compared to the r-line I am sure somebody on this forum can answer

i think it’s the same bumper because the Wolfsburg is essentially all the option packs rolled into one.
Strange the service department reckons no need to cut, would they be added spacers or something to lower the bar a bit?