Home Log in or Register

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Caravans and Caravanning - Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice

Topic: Towbar - Universal or dedicated wiring?

Nightsky

05/7/2010 at 11:57am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 19/3/2007

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 25

Site Reviews Total:	2

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

I would like to fit a towbar to my 2005 VW Touran and would appreciate advice or tales of experience with regard to whether I need dedicated wiring or can make do with universal. We only want to fit a platform-style bike carrier (still tent campers!) so not towing as such. The car has a stabilisation programme for normal driving but not a trailer one.

I'm really not keen on the VW system as it will add at least £150 to the cost, £200 if they code the computer as well. Vehicle is not in warranty. Am just scared of messing up the entire electrics system.

TIA.

Opensauce

05/7/2010 at 2:14pm
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 25/1/2010

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4530

Site Reviews Total:	13

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

If you look on Witter website you will see there is £115 diffence in price for universal single electric loom & dedicated single loom for your car. For a car age & type as yours, certainly universal electrics can be, & are fitted but the plug in dedicated type is imho, always going to be preferred.

As car is out of warranty the choice can be your own. I would have thought with single electrics, the universal kit would do the job.

In anycase I would use a fitting service who have a good reputation locally & are prepared to warranty their work.

johnjory

05/7/2010 at 2:21pm
Location: Lowestoft Suffolk
Outfit: Skoda Superb DSG + Elddis Affinity 550

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 31/10/2003

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 1604

Site Reviews Total:	124

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	1
Site Reviews 2020:	2
Site Reviews 2019:	6
Site Reviews 2018:	4

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	5
Site Nights 2020:	9
Site Nights 2019:	23
Site Nights 2018:	4

The primary benefit of 'dedicated wiring' is that it will carry your ABS signal through to your van. So, only really useful if your van is fitted with a stability control requireing an ABS signal.

johnjory

05/7/2010 at 2:31pm
Location: Lowestoft Suffolk
Outfit: Skoda Superb DSG + Elddis Affinity 550

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 31/10/2003

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 1604

Site Reviews Total:	124

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	1
Site Reviews 2020:	2
Site Reviews 2019:	6
Site Reviews 2018:	4

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	5
Site Nights 2020:	9
Site Nights 2019:	23
Site Nights 2018:	4

PS
With 'universal' electrics, a so called 'bypass relay' is used so that the 'CAN Bus' system on your car is uneffected.

Whether you go for 'universal' or 'dedicated', every modern car has a 'manual' produced by the car manufacturer that tells the towbar electrician EXACTLY how and where to connect the electrics. Just make sure they have the manual and are willing to do fitting in accordance with it. Don't be fobbed off on this point.

johnjory

05/7/2010 at 2:34pm
Location: Lowestoft Suffolk
Outfit: Skoda Superb DSG + Elddis Affinity 550

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 31/10/2003

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 1604

Site Reviews Total:	124

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	1
Site Reviews 2020:	2
Site Reviews 2019:	6
Site Reviews 2018:	4

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	5
Site Nights 2020:	9
Site Nights 2019:	23
Site Nights 2018:	4

PPS

Perhaps consider using a fitter that is a member of NTTA. They are quite rigorous in regards to standards upheld by members.

Nightsky

05/7/2010 at 4:17pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 19/3/2007

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 25

Site Reviews Total:	2

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Thank you for your replies they are very helpful. johnjory - good tip regarding the car's manual - I would otherwise have forgotten to take that along!

Interestingly, of the two NTTA members in our area that I have spoken to, one was only prepared to fit a VW system (with many cautionary tales about £1000s pounds worth of damage to car electric systems), and the other seemed totally fine with a bypass route. Really, I think if we have to go the dedicated route, combined cost of towbar, fitting and decent cycle carrier is past a tipping point at which we all have to take up a cheaper hobby.

johnjory

05/7/2010 at 4:42pm
Location: Lowestoft Suffolk
Outfit: Skoda Superb DSG + Elddis Affinity 550

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 31/10/2003

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 1604

Site Reviews Total:	124

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	1
Site Reviews 2020:	2
Site Reviews 2019:	6
Site Reviews 2018:	4

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	5
Site Nights 2020:	9
Site Nights 2019:	23
Site Nights 2018:	4

Nightsky,

You are welcome, but you slightly misunderstood. Not your cars manual, but a specialist manual about the fitment of towbars to each model which the fitting company should have.

If a company is that cautionary, it suggests to me that they do not want to do the job. In reality, whilst it is quite skilled, it has also been totally systemised by the car manufacturer.

Don't know where you live, but have a word with Towequipe or have a look at their fitting instructions.

johnjory

johnjory

05/7/2010 at 4:45pm
Location: Lowestoft Suffolk
Outfit: Skoda Superb DSG + Elddis Affinity 550

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 31/10/2003

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 1604

Site Reviews Total:	124

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	1
Site Reviews 2020:	2
Site Reviews 2019:	6
Site Reviews 2018:	4

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	5
Site Nights 2020:	9
Site Nights 2019:	23
Site Nights 2018:	4

PS

Westfalia is the towbar that VW factory fit.

Opensauce

05/7/2010 at 6:46pm
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 25/1/2010

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4530

Site Reviews Total:	13

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

On a slightly different tak..If all you want to do is carry bikes, & I'm sure you don't want the cheapo strap on type, google for Fiamma website. As well as campervan bike racks they also do clamp on top & bottom bike rack to fit tailgates of cars such as yours. Probabley under £200 so less than a towbar.

664DaveS

06/7/2010 at 9:25am
Location: Shropshire
Outfit: Bailey Phoenix GT 75

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 24/7/2007

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4383

Site Reviews Total:	55

Site Reviews 2024:	2
Site Reviews 2023:	8
Site Reviews 2022:	6
Site Reviews 2021:	6
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	3
Site Reviews 2018:	4

Site Nights 2024:	16
Site Nights 2023:	55
Site Nights 2022:	54
Site Nights 2021:	56
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	20
Site Nights 2018:	41

Towsure do dedicated wiring kits for a wide range of cars, worth a look at their website-it includes cars which require the bypass type.

-------------
DS-There's more to life than football!!!

In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice - Top of Page

Printable version

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

4033 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Recommend to Friend - Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums] [Caravan Sites & Camping] [Company Listings] [Features / Advice] [Virtual Brochure] [Shop!]
[Reception] [Competitions] [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] [Event Diary] [Contact Us] [Tent Reviews]

Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024

UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder