Need advise please... I need a towbar, and I saw this under my car... what to do???

**Hillbilly** · 07-10-2012, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by jimlabilles

Hi hillbilly,
Please see below pix, I'm no pro as stated... but does this mean this is an original VW Tiguan tow bar? and that it might have been installed the dealer (electronics wise)??? I would like to know if its the type that lets the tiggy know if you are towing something. I'm not fuzzy about that because I will only be towing something light (a jetski on a trailer). But it be reassuringly good to know this has been done properly.

Looks all right I guess Must be good. Made In NZ LOL

**roscoe1974** · 07-10-2012, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by jimlabilles

Hi hillbilly,
Please see below pix, I'm no pro as stated... but does this mean this is an original VW Tiguan tow bar? and that it might have been installed the dealer (electronics wise)??? I would like to know if its the type that lets the tiggy know if you are towing something. I'm not fuzzy about that because I will only be towing something light (a jetski on a trailer). But it be reassuringly good to know this has been done properly.

Hey Jim,

Yep, that's the Towbar (made by Best Bars in NZ) that Australian Dealers fit to Australian Tigs (at least that's what I got and have heard of many others - may be the same in NZ too). All the wiring (I believe - anyone else please correct me if I'm wrong?) is installed from the Factory on every Tig, and the relevant electronics are then activated via VAGCOM/VCDS (the program that VW - or anyone who has purchased the cable & software - use to activate/deactivate functions in the electronics) when the Tow Package is installed. The 'CPU' for lack of a better description is then 'notified' when a trailer is attached and adjusts braking etc. to give more stability to the Trailer and the Car. At least I THINK that's the theory behind it!!!

BTW, mightn't hurt to have a good look around under your Tig and familiarise yourself with it. Seems there's a little rust on the Tow Tongue - just have a scout around under the car and make sure there's nothing sinister...call me paranoid! Most of all though, enjoy the Tig and welcome to the Dub Club!

**jimlabilles** · 07-10-2012, 11:28 AM

Thanks Roscoe,
Your confirmation is trully appreciated.
I actually got thinking and just went to look under the car and saw a fair bit of rusting, mild rusting not something to worry about but thanks for the heads up. I buy a rust inhibitor spray paint tomorrow and paint the heck out of that bottom thing.
Looking forward to a fun filled jetski afternoon... whoooo!!!!!

**Hillbilly** · 07-10-2012, 11:51 AM

Just make sure you observe the instruction in the pics and attach the chain as pictured.
Do it to the ring underneath and if the tongue comes out the chain will go with it

**roscoe1974** · 07-10-2012, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by jimlabilles

Thanks Roscoe,
Your confirmation is trully appreciated.
I actually got thinking and just went to look under the car and saw a fair bit of rusting, mild rusting not something to worry about but thanks for the heads up. I buy a rust inhibitor spray paint tomorrow and paint the heck out of that bottom thing.
Looking forward to a fun filled jetski afternoon... whoooo!!!!!

No worries Jim! Just also note that the foam 'collar' on the square section tube can sometimes make a little tougher to get the tube far enough up to get the pin in, but persevere - the foam stops a lot of rattling!! If need be, push the assembly up yourself and have someone else pop the pin in. Enjoy the water!!