towbar fitting

[bedonde]

I'm a newbie to caravanning (not even bought one yet...). Looking for recommendations/ advice firstly on how to find a decent towbar and fitter for my car. I know the bumper will have to come off etc and it'll have to be spliced into the electrics to work with parking sensors etc. It's a spanking new lease car (B8 Passat estate) and I don't have the appetite for letting a cowboy loose on it. It's a bit of a regional question really - I'm looking for someone around Wiltshire/Bath/Bristol to do a decent job - any PH'ers in the region who can recommend someone?

[bedonde]

chasingracecars said:

Had mine done at http://www.automotive-control.co.uk/towbar-fitting... very good service and nice job.

Thanks, just what I was looking for.

[bedonde]

bedonde said:

Thanks, just what I was looking for.

They quoted me £594 fitted. Not cheap but is that about the going rate??

[bedonde]

hornetrider said:

I was supposed to get back to you on fitting in the Alltrack thread wasn't I...

I used these guys:

http://towbarsandtowing.co.uk/

Mobile and come out to your car. 400 quid fitted. That is with generic electrics (a lot cheaper than vehicle specific). I believe the only downside on the Passat is that I'll have to go into the settings menu myself and disable the park sensors. For my 550i (they fitted that as well) I chose BMW electrics as not only did it disable the park sensors but there was a stability control programme which took into account whether or not you were towing. I couldn't find out if there was any such thing on the Passat so didn't bother.

The fit with my make of towbar is snug against the plastic silver trim piece so if you get in touch do mention that, I actually asked for a westfalia towbar but they didn't give me one, they used a different make. I'm not sure if that would make a difference.

I actually work in Bristol so if you're in that area I'd be happy to demonstrate it for you.

Thanks Hornetrider - may take at look at this lot as the others further up the thread won't do mobile fitting, despite what their website says...
Would rather have an OEM wiring loom and I'm pretty sure the Passat does have something in the ECU that recognises when towing and adjusts the stability control. Think they make a song and dance of it's towing ability in a couple of reviews I've seen.

[bedonde]

Looks good. Spent the entire weekend caravan shopping and ended up buying an ex demo Adria Adora Seine yesterday. Not entirely sure what I've gone and done but looking forward to some adventures to come. Think I'll give your lot a ring hornet and see what they can do for us.

[bedonde]

b2tus said:

That Adria looks an excellent bit of kit. Good write up in Practical Caravan magazine in 2014.

However, it is a very heavy bit of kit and just FYI, it seems that most, if not all model Passats will be well over the recommended 85% tow car/caravan rule.

Have a look at http://www.towcar.info/.

You might be OK with the combination but thought it worth giving you a heads up.

Thanks for that, seems that the MTPLM is 1600kg and punching the car and van details into the tow car matching thing gives us an 85% match with the car laden. Should be ok, he said nervously...

[bedonde]

b2tus said:

Oooops...hadn't spotted that the Passat was the Alltrack model so I stand corrected....... and yes, I was aware that the 85% was advisory, hence my comment that it was recommended.

Bedonde....enjoy your new caravan.

Cheers b2tus, looking forward to it.

Hornetrider - how did you manage to get your rear number plate done without a V5??