Continuing what was discussed in this thread (thank you The Plumber and grahamar for your replies) I got a call from the dealer and, according to what he told me, 1.2 TSI can't have a towing bar fitted from the factory, nor the towing bar preparation. The reason is that the 1.2 is considered a green car due to its co2 emissions, just slightly under the 150g/km threshold. Due to this, Spanish authorities consider that if a towing bar is fitted the car will emit (obviously when towing something), an amount of co2 over what is attributed to "green" cars, which benefit of significant discounts. So no factory fitted towing bar in the Spanish 1.2... I hope you have better luck.

Edited 24 January, 201016 yr by dhuerva

Might it also be that they have concerns over the reliability of the DSG gearbox in the 1.2 I wonder. :S

Continuing what was discussed in this thread (thank you The Plumber and grahamar for your replies) I got a call from the dealer and, according to what he told me, 1.2 TSI can't have a towing bar fitted from the factory, nor the towing bar preparation. The reason is that the 1.2 is considered a green car due to its co2 emissions, just slightly under the 150g/km threshold. Due to this, Spanish authorities consider that if a towing bar is fitted the car will emit (obviously when towing something), an amount of co2 over what is attributed to "green" cars, which benefit of significant discounts. So no factory fitted towing bar in the Spanish 1.2... I hope you have better luck.

Oh!

it seems you are caught between "green intentions" and Government rules.

I'm not aware of such a restriction in the UK.

But thanks for the update and clarification on this point.

Stil, a 1.2 Yeti without a towbar isn't a bad thing - you could get some roof rails or roof box and carry the load on the roof instead eh???

Thanks

Graham

Might it also be that they have concerns over the reliability of the DSG gearbox in the 1.2 I wonder. :S

I doubt it as the 1.2 DSG has emissions of 165 g/km so presumably isn't a 'green' car. It's only the manual that scrapes in under 150 g/km.

Be interesting to know if a towbar is allowed on the 1.2 TSi DSG though.

Edited 24 January, 201016 yr by BillScarab

That should not stop ypu from adding it locally. The towing set-up is from Westfalia, which can be added as aftermarket installation - including the necessary electrical mods.

That should not stop ypu from adding it locally. The towing set-up is from Westfalia, which can be added as aftermarket installation - including the necessary electrical mods.

Yep I'll do that. I found the factory fitted tow bar more appealing due to the fact that (according to dealer's documentation) a more powerful battery and ventilation system is fitted. Although I'm not sure if you get any of these upgrades in the aftermarket.

Stil, a 1.2 Yeti without a towbar isn't a bad thing - you could get some roof rails or roof box and carry the load on the roof instead eh???

Yes I'll definitely have some roof rails fitted. I'll reuse the posh Thule aerobars that I have on my old Peugeot 206 and get some new feet that match the bars on the Yeti. I bet it will be a bit harder though to load the kayak, skis and bicycles . Although I'll still try to get the tow bar fitted at the dealer, won't want to load my smelly, slobbery dogs in me brand new yeti! And it will also come handy if I have the chance to get myself an old dinghy to go fishing.

Yep I'll do that. I found the factory fitted tow bar more appealing due to the fact that (according to dealer's documentation) a more powerful battery and ventilation system is fitted. Although I'm not sure if you get any of these upgrades in the aftermarket.

Sr. Huelva, the Westfalia aftermarket is exactly what is fitted at the factory. It even includes a replacement beam replacing the existing beam behind the bumper. I do see the need for a larger battery or additional ventilation - except maybe a larger radiator for the engine if it was too small to begin with? - not likely. The electrical connections to the vehicle are well known and covered in the Westfalia documentation.

My dealer explained that "towbar preparation" basically pre-wires the car at the factory, so that when the electrics are fitted there is minimal disassembly/reassembly required.

Didn't mention upgraded battery and cooling - however suppose this could be country-specific ?

Would an upgraded battery need an upgraded alternator too ?

My dealer explained that "towbar preparation" basically pre-wires the car at the factory, so that when the electrics are fitted there is minimal disassembly/reassembly required.

Didn't mention upgraded battery and cooling - however suppose this could be country-specific ?

Would an upgraded battery need an upgraded alternator too ?

There is a lot of disassembly required. the bumper has to come off and a new rail fitted behind it in place of the original. A few more wires should not be a big deal, but the vehicle has to be programmed to recognize the trailer electrics.

The battery and "cooling" could just be some dealer flim-flam?

Any trailer should not be using the vehicle battery for their consumers - an automotive battery is not designed for this - only for lots of amps when starting. If the trailer has consumers - such as a camper - it needs it's own battery. If the vehicle alternator has to charge a large battery bak, there may be a need for a larger alternator, but probably not.

I used to pull a 26 foot 2 ton+ trailer in the United Bluff - the only vehicle mods were the tow hitch with electrical brake connection to the trailer and a tranny cooler to keep the Hydramatic happy.