How hard is it to install OEM towbar yourself minus wiring

[likeatig]

Hi,

Just wondering how hard it is to install an OEM towbar without the wiring. Is it just a matter of taking the rear bumper off and bolting the thing on ?

I need a towbar for a bike rack and don't want to pay the $1400 for the full dealer install. I can get second hand geniune one for $280 so it seems to make more sense for my use.

Thanks

HD

[Transporter]

Search the forum, we had this discussion some time ago. Look in the stickies too.

[Umai Naa!!]

What year model is it? MY09-onwards were pre-wired to an extent. Early Tiguans were an interior strip-out job.

The dealership will still need to take the rear bumper off again to to run the wiring from inside the car to the towbar itself.

FYI, refuse to pay for more than 4 hours labour

PM me if you've got any further questions. I may have fitted a few dozen or so.

[zhenjie]

If you only want it for a bike rake get the bolt-on towbar that you can get from the USA. Ends up costing way less and should be good for most MY11 + cars, you need to cut your bumper and check it can receive it though.

Do note that the USA OEM towbars (and eTrailer one) have 1 1/4" receivers and not the more popular Aussie 2" receivers. Limits your choice of towball mounts

[Arctra]

I fitted the towbar to my Tig with the help of Alex_g from this forum and it was VERY easy. If you PM me with your email address I will email you a PDF of the instructions on how to do it. In a nutshell, I think it was a case of removing the rear lights (VERY easy), remove bumper (most difficult part of this was being forceful enough to unclip the clips, unbolt and remove cross bar, insert towabar and torque up bolts, then re-fit bumper. I have reverse sensors so was concerned about that but there is more than enough extra cable on the one side to allow you to safely remove the bumper.

As someone else mentioned, if you have a newer Tiguan you may just need to get the bolt on reciever. It's easy enough to check - just get under the rear bumper and cut away the marked out piece of plastic where the reciever goes - if there are 4 bolt holes you can just get the cheap reciever piece and bolt that on.

Don't be put off doing this. If you get a mate to help you the job will take an hour tops to complete.

[Umai Naa!!]

You can leave the tail lights in.

Also, there's a connector in the right side storage pocket, that you unplug to disconnect the reverse sensors from the car.

As far as I know, all non-genuine towbars for the Tiguan aren't ADR-compliant. This includes the factory-fitted one that some cars have.

[Chrismacca]

I fitted the towbar to my Tig with the help of Alex_g from this forum and it was VERY easy. If you PM me with your email address I will email you a PDF of the instructions on how to do it. In a nutshell, I think it was a case of removing the rear lights (VERY easy), remove bumper (most difficult part of this was being forceful enough to unclip the clips, unbolt and remove cross bar, insert towabar and torque up bolts, then re-fit bumper. I have reverse sensors so was concerned about that but there is more than enough extra cable on the one side to allow you to safely remove the bumper.

As someone else mentioned, if you have a newer Tiguan you may just need to get the bolt on reciever. It's easy enough to check - just get under the rear bumper and cut away the marked out piece of plastic where the reciever goes - if there are 4 bolt holes you can just get the cheap reciever piece and bolt that on.

Don't be put off doing this. If you get a mate to help you the job will take an hour tops to complete.

I would be very keen to find out exactly what the cheap bolt on receiver is and where to get one. Thanks

[likeatig]

Hi All,

Thanks for all the useful info. Will update this post if I decide to DIY.

Cheers

[z1000]

MY09-onwards were pre-wired to an extent.

Hi, does anyone have any info on the prewire?

[Umai Naa!!]

They're pre-wired to an extent. You'll till need to purchase the wiring kit for the control module and rear section of wiring, plus the plug and adaptor harness.