Tow Bar

[galaxychap]

Hiya

 

Anyone self fitted a tow bar before if so how easy was it i have a witter bar arriving sortly from towsure its just the electrics im not to sure about although im game for a try

[Guest thecodfly]

have witter tow bar fitted to my gal did not do myself but watched the fitter put it on only took about 1 hour, electrics did not look a problem can take pic of fitting if you need it, bolt holes and holder for support bracket already on my 98 car, just need to remove impact bar from behind bumber and cut a small hole for the tow ball

hope this helps

[johnb80]

Electrics are easy, I did twin electrics myself, cables through the same grommet that the reversing sensors used. Route under the carpet to the nearside cubby hole (where you change the rear light bulbs). All relays installed in there, another piece of 7 core cable across the boot floor to the offside to pickup the right hand lights and the jobs done. I did the whole lot in 2 hours. The worst job is removing the bumper.

 

Regards - JB

[Velcrohead]

Fitted one myself lat year, Very easy job.

[tim-spam]

Just fitted a Brink towbar to my 2002 Alhambra. Quite an easy job - all holes etc. already there. As regards electrics, I fitted the 12N socket using a vehicle-specific kit from Brink (which has VW ID's on several of the parts), and found that this fits very well, with all grommets etc. supplied. With this there is no need to cut or splice any wires. However, I have a question which Brink does not seem able to answer. Supplied with the wiring kit is a relay, which appears to have something to do with the indicators. When connected to my trailer, the trailer indicator warning light on the dash did not work (perhaps this option needs enabling with VAGCOM?), but when I disabled one of the trailer indicators, the flashing rate doubled just as if one of the car's indicator bulbs had failed - all indicators on the car were working. If I disconnected the trailer plug, the flashing rate returned to normal. My question is whether this is the latest method of monitoring the trailer indicators and if this meets the regulations - or is a visible / audible warning that the trailer indicators are working still required?

As regards the 12S socket, is there a sufficient supply at the rear of the car to supply the caravan fridge / battery. My 12S kit only has a single relay - is there any reason why 2 relays should be required (after all, on my previous cars, both relays have been activated from the same source - alternator warning light)? Also, is there a convenient signal for this relay at the rear of the car - previously, I have run wires the full length of the car (underneath the car to avoid having to strip out carpets, etc.) to the battery.

[johnb80]

Normally with the relays you get an audible indication. My system supplied by towsure needed a supply to it (taken from the socket in the boot) and all rear lights went through this relay unit. Apparently on the Gal to stop the bulb failure being triggered it needs this setup.

 

Regards - John

[Andrew T]

With this there is no need to cut or splice any wires.

How do you connect it up then ? Is there a prewired connector ?

[tim-spam]

The wiring harness from Brink is vehicle specific, and I guess they may buy it from VAG or their supplier - Brink is Dutch, but the wiring harness is made in Germany. Basically, it is fitted into the vehicle by pulling various plugs from their sockets (one by one, following the instructions supplied), pushing the plugs on the wiring harness into the socket on the car, and then pushing the car's plugs into the correct sockets on the wiring harness. The whole kit is supplied with everything needed to complete the job, even including grommets and cable ties. I hope this all makes sense.

[Andrew T]

What a clever idea. I need to fit a plug for a lighting board for the bikes and I really can't be bothered with chopping into the wiring and fitting those horrible scotchlock things.

[galaxychap]

Hiya

 

Tim-do you have the web addy of brink that harness sounds a good idea

[Andrew T]

Brink Dealers. Price quoted was

[tim-spam]

I bought my Brink towbar through Halfords, who told me that it came complete with the wiring kit. When it arrived, I found that it was just the usual cheap universal kit with scotchlocks. I 'phoned Brink, and they gave me the reference for the vehicle specific kit, which I then asked Halfords to order. When this arrived, they simply swapped it for the one they originally supplied - so I think I may have got a bargain!

[Topbloke]

for further infomation try www.rydertowing.co.uk great source for information i had a problem with tow bar electrics on a customers car and had not come across the relays before it was on a merc and had a lights test system same as gals because you splice into the wireing and then plug in the trailer it senses a volt drop and warns you of a bulb failure by having the relays with a seperate power suply the signal comes from the bulb that is lit ie brakes this switches the relay and the bulb in the trailer gets a signal from the relay which has its own power source, if you need a power supply try the rear cig lighter or if you have courtesy lights in the rear take a fused feed from one of them