VW Touareg hidden electrical socket

DaveT
DaveT Forum Participant Posts: 174
100 Comments
edited June 2020 in Towcars & Towing #1

My 2017 Touareg R-line has a VW detachable tow hook which I think is basically a Westfalia item. The problem is that to connect the caravan plug to the towbar socket is an absolute pain! The bracket for the electrical socket is welded to the tow hook receiver bar and is hidden from sight. Previous towbars have had a swivel arrangement which brings the socket down below bumper height so that you can at least see what you are doing. I have looked at various websites for towbar accessories but can only find a swivel which mounts at right angles to the face of the socket. I guess I can't be the only person to have this problem. Lying down on a blanket to see the socket and insert the plug has lost its appeal, especially in the rain. I am coming to the conclusion that I will have to design and fabricate my own bracket extension unless you can suggest otherwise. Any advice would be appreciated.

Comments

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2020 #2

    have a look at one of these, might do the job. 

     

    link

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2020 #3

     I used something like that on the back of my Omega saloon instead of the original fixed bracket supplied with the Bosal detachable bar. 

  • DaveT
    DaveT Forum Participant Posts: 174
    100 Comments
    edited June 2020 #4

    Thanks Lornalou1 and MollysMummy, the electrical bracket illustrated seems to be typical of the swivel type and is at right angles (face of mount to car with face of connector mount). For some unknown reason, VW have put the welded connector bracket way up behind the bumper. The only thing I could see working would be a a bracket which looked something like a C-section from the side. I actually made myself a 13pin adaptor loom about 500mm long with the appropriate connector on each end. Initially it was OK and then weird things started happening to the caravan indicators and brake lights. Loom checked out OK but just wondering if the car CANBUS doesn't like the additional resistance of the loom.

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2020 #5

    it's not VW that put the brackets on the tow bar as if you search on google and find a tow bar fitter that put pics on their site you will see the bracket pre welded to the frame. http://poollretrofits.com/wp-content/gallery/vw-touareg-towbar/VW-Touareg-Westfalia-Detachable-Towbar-with-13-Pin-Can-Bus-Dedicated-Electrics.JPG

  • KeithL
    KeithL Forum Participant Posts: 114
    edited June 2020 #6

    My 2015 model is exactly the same. Westfalia mount the bracket onto the main bar which is fitted behind the rear bumper in place of the original and lighter crash bar fitted in the factory.

    I found that by squatting down behind the rear bumper and practicing a few times with a plug I can connect and disconnect the van by touch. It takes just a few seconds with no muddy knees.

  • DaveT
    DaveT Forum Participant Posts: 174
    100 Comments
    edited June 2020 #7

    Many thanks

  • Sandgroper
    Sandgroper Forum Participant Posts: 210
    edited June 2020 #8

    But a potentially muddy bum?

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