Towing - Tiguan tow capability

[Arctra]

Thanks for that,
I was wondering if anyone had found a non genuine bar,
there are ones in the states for $150.00 but im sure there would be all sorts of issues there with that,


Thanks for the help out there
Phil

Hi Phil

When I tested out roof bars at Roof Rack World in Artarmon (Sydney) they said that they'd fit a Hayman Reece (I'm not sure I got that name right) towbar with all the electrics for $1600 odd I think. It was a while ago now, and I might have those figures etc wrong, but it's probably worth your while giving them a call.

[Sanman]

I have been following up with Hayman Reece (Cequent) who are developing a towbar for the Tiguan. Here is a cut and paste from the emails:
There was a delay in production. I am being told now that the end of July or early August at the earliest before it goes through the factory. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
The electrics on vehilce’s today are getting more and more difficult for towbar installers to overcome, at this point in time we do have a universal type wiring solution for vehicles that need an extra control module to operate the trailer lights. Once the towbar for the Tiguan is complete we will have a plug in style solution for that specific vehicle. Only information I have at this stage is that the towbar will have a 2000kg tow rating with a 100kg ball weight maximum. As soon as I know the date of release I will drop you a quick email.

[ploz58]

Well i have to take off my hat to the dealer,
darryl twitt shepparton.

the salesman i dealt with honoured his original price on a tow bar fitted.

He didnt believe the info about the tiguan being pre wired, but his workshop staff said , that had heard something about it, but werent sure.

thanks for your advise
Phil.

[Umai Naa!!]

Gawsh.

They've been pre-wired for at least the last 8 months or so. These days, all that is required is two CAN-bus wired under the dash to be spliced into another two CAN-bus wires, the installation of the control module, and the rear section of the wiring to the towbar itself.

[Sanman]

Gawsh.
These days, all that is required is two CAN-bus wired under the dash to be spliced into another two CAN-bus wires, the installation of the control module,

I notice that there are fuses in place for the various towhitch lights under the dash - make me think no module required?

[Umai Naa!!]

Incorrect.

The module is required, regardless. If the fuses are there (positions 5, 39, 40, 41 from memory), it basically means the car is pre-wired, but still needs the CAN-bus wires spliced, the module installed, and the short section of wiring from the module to the towbar installed.

[Sanman]

Incorrect.

The module is required, regardless.

OK - is the module only available from VW, and then only as a dealer kit? No chance for DIY if I get a Hayman Reece tow bar?

[Umai Naa!!]

You can buy the wiring kit and DIY it, but you'll need to have someone program the whole shooting match when you've finished.

As there is no pre-wired kit, you have to buy the whole thing, including the un-needed wiring harness. On top of that, the instructions are for a non pre-wired car, so they're next to useless.

So in essence, you can have whatever towbar you like, but you're better off with a VW dealer handling the electrics.

[ploz58]

On the weekend, i hooked up my motorcycle trailer to the tiguan,
its virgin tow and when i checked the lights, all it got was a flickering in the leds both turn and Brake/Tail. Trailer has all new LED lights on it.

I popped trailer on old tow car and it all worked fine.

I did tow the trailer with no lights and tiguan towed it fine, but i am concerned that is there some module thing etc not working that is usual or maybe the fit up wasnt tested properly when fitted.
Its under warranty and was fitted by VW

Anyone else had a similar experience, i have a number of small trailer that the tig will have to tow to earn its keep,

regards
phil

[gregozedobe]

:..... all it got was a flickering in the leds both turn and Brake/Tail. Trailer has all new LED lights on it.

I popped trailer on old tow car and it all worked fine.

The controller for the trailer lights may have been expecting a bigger load (from incandescent globes). LEDs use very little current and this has been known to confuse modern "smart" controllers.

In the UK It is now quite common to set up trailer wiring for Canbus cars using a signal wire from each circuit to operate a relay for the different trailer globes (the std Canbus controllers apparently don't notice the very slight extra load of the signal to the relay).

This method avoids the need for different controllers for each specific model of car (and is often much, much cheaper).