Roof box or trailer???? Tow bar missing

Buxton2901

Buxton2901

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Hi guys. I have the need to tow a trailer or get a roof box for when we go away with 2 dogs in boot.
Firstly what are the pros and cons of each then I have a bracket for a tow bar and the electric hook up but no ball thing.
Can someone tell me what I need to attached a trailer. See pic
 

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I've got a witter towbar fitted from pf jones in manchester and the bracket in your picture looks like mine, is there and electric socket that swings down out of the bumper ?
 
nick78 said:
I've got a witter towbar fitted from pf jones in manchester and the bracket in your picture looks like mine, is there and electric socket that swings down out of the bumper ?
Click to expand...


yes there is mate, so I just need the swan neck bit then u think? can u buy them separately though as I cant find them anywhere
 
I found a thread on another VAG forum where the rep from PfJones posted saying it wasnt possible to buy a replacement and cheaper to buy the whole kit again and just save on the fitting costs.
 
Slackworth said:
I found a thread on another VAG forum where the rep from PfJones posted saying it wasnt possible to buy a replacement and cheaper to buy the whole kit again and just save on the fitting costs.
Click to expand...


poop :sorrow:
 
Roof Box vs. Trailer?

Depends on where you are going, ferry prices tend to be more for Car + Trailer over Car + Roof Box, I actually end up going on our annual camping trip with Car + Trailer + Roof box with an Avant, and seem to pay through the nose for my ferry / chunnel space - I end up with the trucks! To be fair we take everything including the kitchen sink, for a two week summer holiday!

If I had my way, I'd cut down on the luxuries and just use the roof box, towing the trailer is restrictive on speed and parking, but gives a great deal more space than just the roof box would. Once I'm at the site - I lock up the trailer and remove the roof box, then move the bike racks from the top of the trailer to the car. Quite often you wont get in a multi-storey with a roof box ( and need to remember that you have bikes on top!!!)

I think it really depends on how much space you need or think that you need, how much storage space you have for all the time you don't use the box or the trailer. Best solution for me would probably be a T5 VW Caravelle, but company policy says that I can't drive a 'van' to work.
 
Montecha said:
Roof Box vs. Trailer?

Depends on where you are going, ferry prices tend to be more for Car + Trailer over Car + Roof Box, I actually end up going on our annual camping trip with Car + Trailer + Roof box with an Avant, and seem to pay through the nose for my ferry / chunnel space - I end up with the trucks! To be fair we take everything including the kitchen sink, for a two week summer holiday!

If I had my way, I'd cut down on the luxuries and just use the roof box, towing the trailer is restrictive on speed and parking, but gives a great deal more space than just the roof box would. Once I'm at the site - I lock up the trailer and remove the roof box, then move the bike racks from the top of the trailer to the car. Quite often you wont get in a multi-storey with a roof box ( and need to remember that you have bikes on top!!!)

I think it really depends on how much space you need or think that you need, how much storage space you have for all the time you don't use the box or the trailer. Best solution for me would probably be a T5 VW Caravelle, but company policy says that I can't drive a 'van' to work.
Click to expand...


thanks for your input.
we are only going to Whitby for the week from Newcastle but we have the 2 kids in the back with the 2 dogs in the boot and therefore have no luggage space. also need to take the crate for the 6 month old pup :-( which is 42" long so don't know if I will get it in a roof box.
either way its going to be expensive just to store the luggage!!!!
 
Can't answer your tow bar question but when I travel with my two dogs in the boot I use a roof box, I always said I'd never have one but its a god send for the odd week away.
 
I'm with Montecha 1000% - we take the OHs A6 Avant and when camping we have roof box, trailer and tow bar bike rack...it's a sight to behold :D the ferry prices are insane for trailer tho. We're going to the Isle of Wight this year and the ferry is an extra 80 for a trailer!!!
 
another thing is that i have never towed anything before, what's the negatives?
reduced speed? reduced mpg?
 
Looks to me like you are missing the locating bracket that the detachable part fits into as well.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Witter-De...955?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item20fe4bf3d3

I tow a 1300Kg caravan with mine several times a year. It all depends what you are towing. A camping trailer won't have that much impact on fuel as it's not likely to be that large and sits in behind the car so has little effect on drag.
Depending on the size of the trailer try and load it so there is weight on the nose, Ie the tow hitch on the trailer is pushing down on the tow ball.
With the caravan I load it so there is about 50Kg of load on the hitch.
With a trailer you won't get this much weight but the same thing applies.
If the wiring is connected correctly the car should recognise a trailer is connected you get a second display symbol for the indicators, the car also changes the way the ESP works to try and help with snaking that can occur sometimes when towing, more so with caravans though.


Karl.
 
desertstorm said:
Looks to me like you are missing the locating bracket that the detachable part fits into as well.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Witter-De...955?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item20fe4bf3d3

I tow a 1300Kg caravan with mine several times a year. It all depends what you are towing. A camping trailer won't have that much impact on fuel as it's not likely to be that large and sits in behind the car so has little effect on drag.
Depending on the size of the trailer try and load it so there is weight on the nose, Ie the tow hitch on the trailer is pushing down on the tow ball.
With the caravan I load it so there is about 50Kg of load on the hitch.
With a trailer you won't get this much weight but the same thing applies.
If the wiring is connected correctly the car should recognise a trailer is connected you get a second display symbol for the indicators, the car also changes the way the ESP works to try and help with snaking that can occur sometimes when towing, more so with caravans though.


Karl.
Click to expand...

Thanks Karl, ive been quoted £70 for a fixed swan neck so just a bolt on and off job.
I only have 1 electrical socket on mine, the black one. does that matter?
its a small box trailer im looking at which is slightly taller than the car
 
Single socket is all i have on mine but i have a twin adapter because of the caravan so i can run the fridge off it will we are on the move so you shouldnt need that for a trailer.
 
PB2.7TDI said:
another thing is that i have never towed anything before, what's the negatives?
reduced speed? reduced mpg?
Click to expand...

I was a towing newbie up until a few years back and soon got into the swing of it even managing to reverse park it second time round. It's all common sense really but back off on the right pedal a little and take a little more time on the steering side of things so you don't get some trailer drift and you'll be fine. Oh and make sure it's hooked on properly or your trailer might overtake you :D
 
audi upgrades
Slackworth said:
I found a thread on another VAG forum where the rep from PfJones posted saying it wasnt possible to buy a replacement and cheaper to buy the whole kit again and just save on the fitting costs.
Click to expand...
If you look carefully at the picture, it does appear that the square socket is still in place, so it is only the swan-neck that is missing. Chances are, these are common between different models, so any scrappie might be able to supply one.
But, at worst, you can buy the tow bar (without electrics) for about 100 GBP.
And at best, eBay will provide. Search "Witter removable tow bar", and you will see lots of secondhand removable bits. Since you are planning for a trailer (rather than a proper caravan) the ball height can be lower (in fact, typically is better lower), so not so critical for dimensions. One on there now for 30 GBP, if that helps.
Anon
 
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