Towbar: Bypass ECU or not?

[Sydtig]

Hi All,
I'm looking for a towbar of 2 Tone capability for my 125TSI MY2010 TIGUAN. Bypass ECU was recommended on aftermarket towbar supplier website so that no CAN tuning is needed, is this way suitable for Tiguan if you tow a 1-2 tones trailor total weight？Does CAN tuning involved if VW dealer install a genuine towbar?
Thank you for you sharing.

[Arctra]

I installed an aftermarket trailer electrics module that just taps off the various rear light wires. So it did not require any CAN programming or anything. But I only tow light trailers (carrying my dirt bikes) and not heavy loads like you. See my thread on the install here - Towbar electrics wiring (relay bypass, not genuine)

[Sydtig]

Thanks Actra, I read through your thread, your way is of bypass ECU, how heavy is your total trailor weight? I want to know what's the maglitude of light weight. Was there any difference you felt with trailor traveling with your Tiguan?

[Hillbilly]

Just curious but what is the legal towing limit of a Tiguan and the max ballweight

[Greg Roles]

My mega dollar genuine towbar says 1600kgs braked and 750kgs unbraked on my 103 TDI Yeti. I've towed a Mazda 3 on a braked car trailer across Brisbane, over the gateway and up to the Sunshine Coast just fine, not that I would want to do it often with all the tools jumping into your braking gap the whole way. 2 Ton is probably pushing it. You most certainly knew you were towing a car.

Towing a typical box trailer / dirtbike on trailer I can hardly notice.

[Sydtig]

To Hillbilly,
per Tiguan spec, 750kg without brake, 2000kg with brake.

[Hillbilly]

To Hillbilly,
per Tiguan spec, 750kg without brake, 2000kg with brake.

Towball mass limit ????

If towing limit is 2000Kg I would be hesitant to tow the full 2000kg with it.

[Sydtig]

To Hillbilly,

Don't worry, I'll only tow a 400kg small boat.

[Hillbilly]

To Hillbilly,

Don't worry, I'll only tow a 400kg small boat.

Not worried at all but some put HD towbars on vehicles and think they can tow to that capacity when the vehicles capacity may be less. Also Euro vehicles have very light towball limits in comparison to Jap 4x4's.
As long as you are aware of the rules Im sure all will be fine

[Mysticality]

Also Euro vehicles have very light towball limits in comparison to Jap 4x4's.

Unless you're talking Euro 4x4's; basically anything big from Audi/VW/Merc/etc can tow 3.5t