Towbar and Parking Sensors

[espresso]

Hi all

For those with a towbar, can you confirm that the parking distance control sensors make allowances for the extra length?

E

[vdubmotorworx]

if the sensors are factory fiited and its a gen vw towbar kit installed then after installation the car is coded to tell it the towbar has been fitted and the park sensors are also coded for "towbar" ... sensors turn off then the wiring see's a connection for a trailer.. not sure if it actually adjusts the distance when nothing is connected but the distance allows for the tongue in anyway....VDUB...

[espresso]

not sure if it actually adjusts the distance when nothing is connected but the distance allows for the tongue in anyway....VDUB...

Sorry, I should have been clearer...

What I want to know is: Do the sensors allow for the extra protrusion of the towbar when there is nothing attached to the towball?

E

[vdubmotorworx]

yep..VDUB...

[Hillbilly]

yep..VDUB...

Presumably what you are saying when the recoding is done the distance for the parking sensor alerts are changed to reflect the increased amount at the rear of the car

EG from the normal 300mm to perhaps 400mm to allow for the tongue.

So if you remove the tongue it would still stay at the recoded distance?????

[vdubmotorworx]

Presumably what you are saying when the recoding is done the distance for the parking sensor alerts are changed to reflect the increased amount at the rear of the car

EG from the normal 300mm to perhaps 400mm to allow for the tongue.

So if you remove the tongue it would still stay at the recoded distance?????

yes and yes.......because its mechanical, the car does not know if the tongue is installed or not....

[Hillbilly]

yes and yes.......because its mechanical, the car does not know if the tongue is installed or not....

Yep realize that as would expect it to be. Not sure if OP did though

[espresso]

Thanks all - very helpful.

E

[HarryK001]

I can definitly say that there is no change, red line while reversing is on the tow ball / tongue, which did not help my wife whilst reversing into a stone wall.

[Hillbilly]

[QUOTE=HarryK001;962129]I can definitly say that there is no change, red line while reversing is on the tow ball / tongue, which did not help my wife whilst reversing into a stone wall.[/QUOTE

Was it recoded for change of distance as Vdubmotorworx seemed to intimate

I usually stop before tempting the red line or as soon as it appears.

Despite it being fairly obscure, in some states it is illegal to leave the tongue in when not towing if it is a removable one like an HR.

Similarly it is illegal to have wide towing mirrors on when not towing.