Tow Bar Prep - Yes Or No?

[Sim60]

Yes - That's the one under drivers seat. - just removed mine from seat base fixing yesterday in preparation for leaisure battery under the driver's seat.

 

[Stevefrs]

All I ask for is a nice detachable towbar that’s hidden when not used. Imma pay through the roof for one though aren’t i?!

Westfalia are the oem fitment and once detached you can't see any metal. If you drop down you see the socket. Looking at around £350 for the bar and wiring but you will also need some parts from VW for behind the bumper unless you get creative.

 

[Wezzo]

Sorry to come in late here on this long thread, but so far very useful. I have a new T6.1 T30 with towbar prep. I’ve established from here that I’ll need a towbar and the vehicle specific loom that fits in the plug behind the rear nearside panel. Brilliant ! However when I look at the PFJones site or others they say the vehicle needs coding. Is that really necessary? So far I’ve been quoted about £600-£700 for a fit and without exception nobody I have spoken to knows anything about the towbar prep and trailer assist. Appreciate any help

 

[Brettvee]

Sorry to come in late here on this long thread, but so far very useful. I have a new T6.1 T30 with towbar prep. I’ve established from here that I’ll need a towbar and the vehicle specific loom that fits in the plug behind the rear nearside panel. Brilliant ! However when I look at the PFJones site or others they say the vehicle needs coding. Is that really necessary? So far I’ve been quoted about £600-£700 for a fit and without exception nobody I have spoken to knows anything about the towbar prep and trailer assist. Appreciate any help

I just completed my install. My vehicle had the 1D7 factory towbar preparedness installed. I can confirm no programming was necessary and my reverse camera and reverse sensors work perfectly when attached to a trailer. And yes the Volkswagen dealer did advise me the install would require programming. I did the install myself with advice gained from this group.

 

[Wezzo]

Thanks so no programming needed. Thanks. I've rung A couple of fitters this morning and they all seem really keep to cut int the loom and fit their relay.
‘Tis May become a DIY job very quickly at this rate unless someone could recommend a good fitter in the South West near Taunton and Bristol

 

[rover220]

No programming necessary if you have prep. Westfalia detachable is under £200 retail and the loom should be under £100.

 

[minicharli]

What if you don’t have prep and just plan on using a cycle carrier ? One quote from towbar speacialist is £550 other from a converter £475 ( no coding needed they say ).

 

[rover220]

The one that says no coding will be using universal bypass electrics, a poor effort in all honesty. This means you'll get reverse sensors throwing a wobbly. The best option is dedicated canbus electrics.

 

[Pauly]

^^ agreed

 

[minicharli]

@rover220 @Pauly i did ask that question of the converter and he said it was a vehicle specific kit

 

[Pauly]

Vehicle specific kit will have a control module and need coding when done
Vehicle specific wiring will extend the alarm to the towbar electric socket, disable rear parking sensors when trailer connected and move rear foglights from van to trailer etc

 

[rover220]

Vehicle specific kit will have a control module and need coding when done
Vehicle specific wiring will extend the alarm to the towbar electric socket, disable rear parking sensors when trailer connected and move rear foglights from van to trailer etc

it also changes the esp/abs settings aswell.

 

[minicharli]

If I go with the converter ( because I’m a cheapskate ) but only on the basis that it is a vehicle specific wiring kit, do I need access to VCDS for coding or something else ?

 

[rover220]

If they fit then they should code. Make sure they also fit pins 9 and 10 correctly.

 

[Trello]

Can you pick up the can hi and lo from the rear of the OBD port? I’m fitting a Ryder smartcan for the trailer. Cheers in advance. If not any sensible alternative to the big white plug on the rear of the dash. Ta

 

[VWTDI]

I have a 2016 T6 Transporter LWB 4motion TDI400 with code1D7 (Trailer hitch preparation).

@Brettvee so just to confirm, you ordered VW-7E5055202A direct from VW? Did it come with instructions and if so did you find them easy to follow?

I have looked at PF Jones instructions for kit 29270555PF (You are being redirected...) and they are very good.

Does anyone know of any differences worth mentioning between these two kits?

 

[Niknak]

The genuine vw kit is ok to fit just fine mine, just have to have the fuse box under the passanger seat or fit one yourself, not the best job if your van is converted

 

[VWTDI]

Does the genuine VW kit come with instructions?
I do have a fuse box under my passenger seat, as well as Trailer Hitch Preparation (1D7).

 

[JOG]

Does the genuine VW kit come with instructions?
I do have a fuse box under my passenger seat, as well as Trailer Hitch Preparation (1D7).

As you have the trailer prep, the PFJones instructions will tell you how to connect. Very straightforward. Remember to slide the rear light clusters sideways off the van after you’ve undone the screws. (Otherwise they are a pricey replacement if you break the lugs in them!)

 

[VWTDI]

So all the wire colours will match on the PF Jones and VW harness? Also, the PF Jones instructions don't say to remove the tail light. The harness is routed from the connections inside the rear left panel and down through some grommets to get behind the rear bumper.

As you have the trailer prep, the PFJones instructions will tell you how to connect. Very straightforward. Remember to slide the rear light clusters sideways off the van after you’ve undone the screws. (Otherwise they are a pricey replacement if you break the lugs in them!)