Tow Bar pictures

[Blake-R]

Does anyone happen to have any pictures of their detachable tow bars fitted at all?. I have been to a few places and they say you have to get a new lower bumper section that has a cut out, and then a piece of plastic that you slot in to cover it when the tow is connected. Has anyone got this at all?.

Cheers

[uk_stu]

Hi, I have this exact kit on my car. I bought the bumper from mr VW and it cost me around the 60mark...

It improves the look no end as some kits come with a retro fit cover which looks cack!!

I'll take some photos when i get home from my holiday on sunday and post them up for you!

[Blake-R]

Uk stu, that's brilliant mate thanks  . Enjoy the rest of your holiday.

[uk_stu]

as promised!!

[JPC]

Ive got one installed, check members rides for pics! :0

[Blake-R]

Stu that's great mate, thanks for getting those up. Can i ask how much yours ended up costing you?.

[uk_stu]

The tow bar came in a shade under £200 from towequipe.com incl electrics etc and the bumper was about £60 from VW (its a non GTI rear)

Certainly a better way of having a towbar!

[Merlinman]

Detachable tow bar (Witter) in use with GTI towbar lower bumper panel 

Snaps here

[jmspear]

The lower bumper panel is actually GTI specific with towbar cut out, (their is a non GTI lower panel but also a GTI one, you need to buy the lower bumper panel and the detachable cover they come as seperate components. The lower bumper panel is totally different from the regular golf lower panel, it is the same as the normal GTI with a cutout and cover.

I bought a westphalia towbar off ebay about £100 some odd IIRC (new) fitted it to my MkV 170 diesel, when I sold this, I then swapped it, with a new GTI specific lower panel to my mk V GTI. you also need a switch box to be able to connect the electrics to a canbus system I think this was about £15 but can't really remember, not really a difficult job if you are handy with spanners and the OE spare wheel interior even has a cut out for the detachable hook when you remove it, I think the total cost was about £200 with new lower panel, cover, electric hook up kit and towbar.

BTW I love it, with a tuned golf 275HP and 315lbft it really kicks butt with a large trailer with two motorcycle trials bikes in the back, can still out accelerate most things and it stops with the porsche front calipers  (just need to strap the bikes in real firmly )

[uk_stu]

you also need a switch box to be able to connect the electrics to a canbus system I think this was about £15 but can't really remember, not really a difficult job if you are handy with spanners

This isn't actually true, as long as you can use a multi meter then you just use the relevant splice connectors included in the kit and join to the wires at the rear of the lights.

[JPC]

Im really going to have to disagree with the above. You really shouldn't install towbar electrics without a relay with it's own fused power supply. Seriously, there can be quite a startling amp draw. You really want that amp draw from a safe source that's fused just in case. The wires tapped to the back of each light then just become signal wires with a fraction of the draw on the canbus system

All this is besides the fact bulb errors can be thrown up if not using a relay.

Plus by law you need a beeper on the indicators when they are working

[crunchy]

Without wishing to steal this thread, does anyone know if there is a standard tow bar available ie with the two bolt points for the tow hitch that would fit on my Ed30 without any cuttings to the bumper? I really need a tow bar but don't want to have a horrible cut out ruining my nice shiny red paintwork. If so pics would be appreciated.

I've a motorbike rack for the rear which will only connect to the standard hitch fitting not the swan neck type.

Thanks in advance

[JPC]

I think standard towbar or swan neck, you'll struggle big time with an ed30 bumper. You could get a body  shop to plastic weld a hatch in but I think it would end up costing a lot and might not even work

[uk_stu]

Sorry i think there was a mis understanding i have a full relay kit but its not a canbus kit its just a simple buzzer that you connect to the rear of the lights.

[jmspear]

JPC is right you CANNOT connect the towbar wiring to the VW loom without the specialist relay box, you will be in a world of pain, your trailer / number plate board will not be able to draw the current it requires from the std wiring loom, and they will fry the loom trying to. Warning lights will be the least of your problems, as will the beeper!

It actually makes installation easier anyhow, the only benefit of not going down this route would be to save a few quid for a solution that wouldn't work and then fried your loom - not good!

I took my live feed from the rear cigarette lighter which VW very conveniently sited in the rear compartment! Handy :-)