Towbar - anyone have definitve answer?

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jpb0804

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HI

I have recently bought a (March 2002) 1.4SE petrol, and would like to get a towbar fitted. I have read all I can find on the forum (including archive) and am still not sure what the definitive answer is.

It looks like the situation is that the only way to get a 'type approved' towbar fitted is by an Audi dealer (cost about £500). Is this stiil the case? And is it possible to retro-fit?

If anyone has since discovered another solution - could they please let us know?

thanks

JPB
 
I think that the outcome was that it cannot be retrofitted since it requires some additional strength somewhere underneath.
But I'm sure you can find all the threads in the forumsearch. Just be sure to check "Archived Posts"

Good luck !

Dennis de Held

Amulet Red 1.4 Tdi
 
A neighbour of ours has recently had a towbar retrofitted to his '51' reg. A2 TDi by the local Audi dealer. I don't know what was involved or how straightforward it was but I can find out if you want



A2 1.4TDI SE - 108 BHP - Pine Green Pearlescent | Climate | Front Centre Armrest
TTC 225- Denim Blue with Blue Leather 6CD & Bose
 
dear Tikki, Yes would also be very interested to know details and which local Audi dealer for my A2, Incidently my first TT was as yours but having upgraded to a V6 I know its not the car it should have been to start with. Trade it in and get the real thing!!!
 
richDADA: May take a couple of days but I'll find out.
Only had the TT 3 months and love it :)
Just read on TTOC that orders being taken from Wednesday 21st for 3.2 Manual - might be tempted [:p]


A2 1.4TDI SE - 108 BHP - Pine Green Pearlescent | Climate | Front Centre Armrest
TTC 225- Denim Blue with Blue Leather 6CD & Bose
 
Spoken to the neighbour!

They took it to the local Sinclair Audi who said it couldn't be done.
In the end, Sinclair Audi in Swansea carried out the fitting. This is where the bodyshop of the Sinclair Group is located and I wonder if some special work or re-enforcing had to be done first?

Perhaps it's worth giving Sinclair Swansea a ring?
(01792 899000)

tikki

A2 1.4TDI SE - 108 BHP - Pine Green Pearlescent | Climate | Front Centre Armrest
TTC 225- Denim Blue with Blue Leather 6CD & Bose
 
Thanks Tikki and will attempt contact with Sinclair Swansea: PS dont bother with a manual in the TT as the DSG box is the d**s b*ll*cks and is something to be experienced: you can drive it without the brakes at all using the sport mode on the box and the down-changes on the paddles which are a delight to the ear, something to do with having baffler valves in the exhaust which dont open until the revs are up - then it really howls!!! (and I have it on good authority that for smooth and instant changes, it beats the Ferrari sequential box into a ****ed hat.
 
richDADA, did you get any further with the towbar issue?
I too have come up against a brick wall regards this problem. If we can find someone to do this job i'm sure there would be a number of takers(perhaps a discount for numbers? Cheers Dorian
 
Reply to Dorian and Thanks to Tikki
Yes I pursued Sinclair Audi in Swansea who said 'Does your model have air-conditioning?' answer 'Yes' "Then its OK to fit Towbar' Cost of bar itself apparently 260GBP (stock item on Audi web site) plus cost of modifying electrics 50GBP plus fitting labour : and when I suggested there were at least three who were looking for such a fitting and what about any discount there was a long pause and then ' Well, to be honest as an Audi agent we DO fit them but it usually costs us money.....so we're not going looking for the work....' Good ol' Audi has done it again!!!
 
Towbar is listed in the options in the current brochure (Factory fit) at £630 - all models.

Ian

2002 1.4 Petrol SE, silver with climate control.
Why are NEARLY all the A2s in Lichfield silver ? ? ?
 
Update: local Audi agent Listers of Stratford says 'Yes Towbar is available at 260 GBP plus electrics and fitting (as I stated before) BUT needs climate control model, won't fit diesel,and cannot be fitted with acoustic Parking sensors fitted' Usual Audi Catch 22!!! But I'm still working on it, as I don't understand exactly what the reasons are for the latter negative. PS most of the A2s around Stratford are silver too!!
 
quote:Originally posted by richDADA

Update: local Audi agent Listers of Stratford says 'Yes Towbar is available at 260 GBP plus electrics and fitting (as I stated before) BUT needs climate control model, won't fit diesel,and cannot be fitted with acoustic Parking sensors fitted' Usual Audi Catch 22!!! But I'm still working on it, as I don't understand exactly what the reasons are for the latter negative. PS most of the A2s around Stratford are silver too!!
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I've just ordered a towbar w/o the electric stuff for my 01 TDI 1.2. They've said it's not possible to fit it on a 1.2 tdi (only on 1.4 tdi and 1.4 petrol), but i'll try it. It's actually the same towbar on all the models, the audi guy checked the part number for all motors types and it's the same.

about the air conditioning issue, it's because the ac models has better cooling. Ie if you pull heavy loads your motor has to be cooled of more. If you do not plan on pulling heavy loads, i think you can ignore the demand for ac. I'll let you know when i've mounted it!
 
You might have problems with the towbar on the 1.2 TDI... I don´t think the gearbox can handle a trailer (no motor brake etc...) but report back if you have tried it! Here in Germany it is not allowed to fit a towbar to the 1.2...

Bye, Frido.

----
[img=left]http://homepage.mac.com/frido/a2pic.gif[/img=left]
A2 1.4 TDI 2003 S-Line, cobalt blue, CC, DIS, SatNav+, TV, Apple iPod
now parents' car: A2 1.2 TDI 2002 silver, CC, DIS
My A2OC pics Homepage
 
quote:Originally posted by frido

You might have problems with the towbar on the 1.2 TDI... I don´t think the gearbox can handle a trailer (no motor brake etc...) but report back if you have tried it! Here in Germany it is not allowed to fit a towbar to the 1.2...

Bye, Frido.
Click to expand...

I've been thinking about that to. Do you think there is a tourqe problem here, like wearing down the clutch or something like that?
 
I think the automatic clutch might get confused because there is a trailer hanging behind, and you might wear the brakes down very fast because they are not designed for the load and the engine does not take part much in braking...

Bye, Frido.

----
[img=left]http://homepage.mac.com/frido/a2pic.gif[/img=left]
A2 1.4 TDI 2003 S-Line, cobalt blue, CC, DIS, SatNav+, TV, Apple iPod
now parents' car: A2 1.2 TDI 2002 silver, CC, DIS
My A2OC pics Homepage
 
quote:Originally posted by frido

I think the automatic clutch might get confused because there is a trailer hanging behind, and you might wear the brakes down very fast because they are not designed for the load and the engine does not take part much in braking...

Bye, Frido.
Click to expand...

We'll se about that. I'll hook my 20' bayliner onto it and see what happens.. moahoha.
Anyway, I got the towbar today - what a monster! 23kg of pure steel. Anyway, i'll try to mount it today, it involves some heavy spaceframe-drilling so I had to get a special 39.5mm drill (very expensive)... stay tuned!
 
OK. Towbar = mounted

It took me 5 damn hours, and I only mounted the towbar, not the electrical part.
Anyway. here's what you have to do
1) Remove rear bumper, that is the plastic thingy
2) Remove the aluminium frame/rod behind it
3) Drill 1 hole in each frame, 39mm in dia (you have to measure very precisely so you put the hole in the right place in the frame (under the car)
4) Insert the mounting ancors into these 2 holes that you've just made
5) drill 3 holes for each ancor and insert the 3 pop rivets
5b) insert the towbar and mount it with 6 screws in the frame and 2 screws in the anchors
6) Take out the damn biggest pop rivet tool that you can find and push it until you can taste blood in your mouth (or until it says pop)
7) Screw everything together again (you should have like >30 screws in your pocket)

Enjoy.

Anyway, I mounted it on my 1.2tdi now, and since my pop rivet tool broke everything is not 100% complete yet, but almost. I can't really recomend doing this yourself unless you know what you're into... sorry for the bad grammar, i'm damn tired now...

Please note that the towbar will add like 25kg of wheight to your car.. it's damn heavy!
 
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