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Subject Topic: Towbar Electrics
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PersonJo Parker
26/8/2017 at 9:44pm
 Location: wigan
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We have just purchased a 2 year old Ford Mondeo Estate and need to have a tow-bar fitted. Garages are asking do we want Universal wiring or Designated wiring....i.e Fords wiring.
As it's some years since we had one fitted we are hoping for some advice as to what to go for. Don't want to fall foul of the warranty.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Jo


PersonGrampian91
26/8/2017 at 9:53pm
 Location: Midlands
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Depends if you have parking sensors and does the car have trailer stability etc and does it have bulb failure sensors?

If yes to any of the above you may want the dedicated wiring loom where the dealer can program the trailer circuit so that it disables the parking sensors and disables the cars rear fog light etc.

You may need a trip to a dealership with the dedicated loom.

The bypass relay option wont need to be programmed.


PersonJo Parker
26/8/2017 at 10:00pm
 Location: wigan
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Thanks for that Grampian91.
No parking sensors, will show to hubby as i haven't got a clue about cars (only travel in them )


PersonGeoff48
26/8/2017 at 10:22pm
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As Grampian says there is a difference see Here think I'd be asking what difference in price there is, sometimes a lot, sometimes a little, and what extra do you get for the the designated or sometimes called dedicated wiring then asking them if it affects the warranty should you choose a universal fitting.


PersonJo Parker
26/8/2017 at 10:35pm
 Location: wigan
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Thanks Geoff


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Persontango55
27/8/2017 at 12:49am
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A 2 year old car will have a can-bus system (computerised network that relays meaasages in milliseconds) so you need a dedicated wiring loom to be compatible with the onboard computer system. The older twin black and grey sockets are now vintage and are only compatible with older vehicles. I had the older loom fitted trying to save money but unfortunately broke down 3 times in 12 months. In the end I had to exchange the towing wiring loom for a dedicated one so cost me more in the long run.


PersonFrancais
27/8/2017 at 12:46pm
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I think you will be best going for dedicated electrics on a 2015 car.

This does push up the cost, I would guess for a Modeo you are looking at £450.

In this modern age, you would think that all the car makers would install the dedicated cabling terminated at the rear of the car with a std connector.
This would reduce the installation cost of a towbar by around £150.

The additional cost in production, would be minimal, although I guess it would be seen as a waste, as maybe less than 1% of cars ever have a towbar fitted.

I am told that Audi cars come pre-wired for towing electrics as std, so it can be done.


PersonJo Parker
29/8/2017 at 10:30pm
 Location: wigan
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Car is booked in for tow bar and dedicated electrics on Tuesday 5th. Looking forward to going off after it's done.
Thanks for all your help
Jo x


PersonFrancais
30/8/2017 at 8:52am
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Good move Jo, what's the damage comming to?


PersonVectratot
30/8/2017 at 5:58pm
 Location: DURHAM
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Can-Bus Controlled Area Network on my Mk4 Mondeo although a little older than 2 years works quite well with the rear parking sensor`s with a bypass relay, also car rear fog lights can be switched off leaving caravan fog lights on by way of the relay, never had any problems at all in over 3 years towing with it

-------------
Tot


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PersonJo Parker
04/9/2017 at 8:57pm
 Location: wigan
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Car going in to have the tow bar put on tomorrow, they have to order one. Garage charging £470 .
Hubby got in touch with a Ford dealer and they said....£400+ for tow bar and £470 to fit it
Fitted tomorrow and away on Wednesday yipee
Thanks to everyone for the replies


PersonFrancais
06/9/2017 at 7:15pm
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£900 for the Ford dealer to do the job, same when my VW dealer quoted £800 to fit the 2017 VW Golf with a towbar.

My local towbar fitter who is VW approved does the job for £400 pukka dedicated electrics.

These main dealers are having a laugh.


Personnavver
06/9/2017 at 8:11pm
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Very often the main dealers sub it out to a local fitter anyway.


PersonPhishing
09/9/2017 at 11:13pm
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If you get dedicated wiring (recommended) then the vehicle body control module needs to be configured, make sure this is in the price or a trip to the local main dealer will add to the bill.


PersonGrampian91
10/9/2017 at 5:59pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Francais on 06/9/2017
£900 for the Ford dealer to do the job, same when my VW dealer quoted £800 to fit the 2017 VW Golf with a towbar.

My local towbar fitter who is VW approved does the job for £400 pukka dedicated electrics.

These main dealers are having a laugh.





I wonder if they will call the same guy to come and fit the towbar also? Or will they fit it in house?

It was not uncommon for dealers to farm the work out. But with most cars having everything in place these days its no harder than joining a few lego blocks.

No holes to drill and no soldering of wires or bodge locks.


Personchrisn7
13/9/2017 at 1:30pm
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Whether there is any soldering or wire splicing to do may depend on the source of the dedicated wiring. If its a genuine dealer harness, then everything should clip or plug in ok, except that canbus wiring may have to run the length of the car (with all the trim removal that entails)as it depends on where the module is located.

I've just fitted dedicated wiring from Westfalia which managed to complete the wiring entirely within the boot area, but 4 soldered splices was a lot quicker than stripping out the car to run the canbus wires, plus any future failures can only be in one area.



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