VW Tiguan Towbar - making caravan nose high!

ajwgoodi
ajwgoodi Forum Participant Posts: 5
edited March 2019 in Towcars & Towing #1

I have recently purchased a 2018 VW Tiguan with the factory fitted swivelling towbar and this has a height from floor to top of ball of 490mm. This is making my Swift Caravan quite nose high when coupled and it is suggested in the VW handbook that any retro fitted towbars should be between 350 and 420mm.  Has anyone had any experience of this with any advice please?

Comments

  • birderbilly
    birderbilly Forum Participant Posts: 349
    100 Comments
    edited March 2019 #2

    It was the same with our Passat Alltrack because they fit the same towbar to the Alltrack as to other Passats ignoring the additional 50mm or so of ride height.  By the time we loaded all the stuff in the car it was ok and the van was just about level.  At the risk of being flamed I don't think VAG have a clue about towbars. 

  • lagerorwine
    lagerorwine Forum Participant Posts: 310
    edited March 2019 #3

    I have a 2017 190 diesel SEL DSG and yes the towbar height is high unladen. As birderbilly says, when car is loaded and caravan has 90/95kg noseweight its about level.

    We did Spain and back last year with no issues at all stability wise, and 28 - 32 mpg towing. Even shorter trips without as much weight in car gave no problems.

  • giffer
    giffer Forum Participant Posts: 6
    edited March 2019 #4

    I have a 2012 Tiquan 2 TDI 4motion and use a detachable towbar pulling my Swift Challenger and as advised by previous replies have no problem once we have filled the car boot with heavier items, have no problem towing at all.  Stability is good and providing you do not exceed recommended weights you will be fine I am sure.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2019 #5

    I assume then that those whose caravan is OK after the car is loaded do not have any kind of self levelling suspension ... having air suspension, my car is the same height at the back irrespective of what's in or on the back of it.

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited March 2019 #6

    The 350 to 420mm towball height requirement, as laid down in the regulations, applies to the laden condition, not unladen.

  • birderbilly
    birderbilly Forum Participant Posts: 349
    100 Comments
    edited March 2019 #7

    so basically unless you put a massive amount of kit in the boot so as to cause at least 70mm of suspension sag it doesn't comply - genius !

  • lagerorwine
    lagerorwine Forum Participant Posts: 310
    edited March 2019 #8

    Not quite - 490mm quoted was to top of ball, so 465mm to centre. 350-420 is centre of ball with car laden - so 45mm drop

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2019 #9

    Snap.smile

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2019 #10

    You can do more tricks than me ...  I can only lift my car & not lower it 😁

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,581 ✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments Photogenic
    edited March 2019 #11

    If the tow ball does not drop to a legal level when hitched and assuming the hitch weight is sensible then the tow bar is not fit for purpose and you are within your rights to demand your money back. Quote the Consumer Protection Act 2016. Ask the clubs legal helpline for help if you need it.

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited March 2019 #12

    One cannot say that the towbar is not fit for the purpose because technically there's nothing wrong with it unless it is so high that there is not enough ground clearance at the back end of the caravan, but if the towball height is not within the prescribed limits when the caravan is hitched and the car is fully laden, then it would be outside the regulatory limits and then there would be a case for recourse.

  • xtrailman
    xtrailman Forum Participant Posts: 559
    edited March 2019 #13

    I didn't know that thanks.

    I have a 2019 SEL with a factory fit towbar and not had an issue owing.

    The R line I believe measures around 1" lower due to the lowered sports suspension.

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