Towing..

[BennyG_UK]

Ok so my A4 Avant appears to have a factory removable tow bar fitted. It has the fold away electrical connector with vw/audi stamps and p/n's, and the tow hook cover with vw/audi stamps.

When I bought the car, the one thing missing was the tow hook itself.

Does anybody know if a generic hook would fit? Or has anybody got one for sale that they no longer use?

Audi want £200+ for a replacement! Cant justify that just to move a small trailer for a friend

Picture for ref, I assume this is the one I need. It comes up with a Part number search (8E0092770D)

 

[Beardymat]

Probably not much help but I think the genuine Audi stuff is manufactured by westfalia, that picture certainly looks a lot like the one I fitted to mine. I seem to remember getting the complete setup quite cheap by searching around, it was definitely cheaper than the £200 mark. Possibly not much help like I said but it may give you ideas for other things to search.

 

[kev-s]

As above Westfalia made the Audi tow bars and that one looks the same as my Westfalia removable tow bar which is the same as the one below

Plenty more on ebay ranging from £50 upwards

https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/?iid=22193...3&device=c&campaignid=797783973&crdt=0&chn=ps

 

[BennyG_UK]

I did some more digging, and mines an AL -KO, picture attached. The actual removable tow bar part number is 8E0800495C.

Not sure if any aftermarket ones fit, but its completely different from the above pictures!

 

[phil_w]

Just interested...does your valance have a cut out from the factory for the towbar gubbins underneath ? Audi told me there's no special part number for a tow-bar valance and after market fitters just cut a section out of the plastic... Cheers! (and sorry this doesn't help with the actual questions!)

 

[BennyG_UK]

It does look very factory cut. Ive attached a picture I took the other day. The electrics stuff is on a swivel mount and drops down below the cut. The bar slots in behind the plastic cover.

The bracket behind the bumper does have OEM part numbers, so must have been fit at factory.

 

[phil_w]

Thanks That certainly does look like a proper part - so wondering why there's no different part number as I can't imagine bods in the factory hand bodging valances...

 

[BennyG_UK]

Is the part number for the valance easily accessible or in a stupid place? If its easily enough to find il have a look later for you.

 

[phil_w]

I imagine it will be on the inside, covered in grime and in the most inaccessible place possible so I wouldn't worry fella! Thank you.

 

[Charlie Farley]

maybe a factory cut but it's not a specific valance , none of the valances available for either saloon or avant have a pre-cut option for towbar fitment, they are all the same apart from single or dual outlet options...none have a towbar section precut.
there is another valance 8EC071611A but its the same situation , no precut for a towbar option.

 

[Charlie Farley]

there is a hard to find option for a valance for use with factory fit towbar ....it is 8E0807521B has the cut-out already , but it is not an easy part to find, but it is a factory fit part from what I can find with the cutout.

 

[BennyG_UK]

I had a good look over etka, and I couldn't find any with cut out either to be fair.

Well, I hope I never get rear ended, I think the bodyshop would have a headache finding a factory replacement!

 

[SteveMcB]

I did some more digging, and mines an AL -KO, picture attached. The actual removable tow bar part number is 8E0800495C.

Not sure if any aftermarket ones fit, but its completely different from the above pictures!

Hi, I'm certainly not an expert but was also under the impression that original towbars are by Westfalia.

Alko, at least now, seem to specialise in the stuff for trailers, hitches etc. It's a bit of a long shot but could the sticker just mean that your towbar is compatible with ALKO hitches, they're bulkier than normal ones and need more bumper clearance?

I've got an aftermarket Westfalia on mine, if you had a shot of your socket we could maybe compare, if that doesn't sound a bit

 

[SteveMcB]

Westfalia socket on my B7 cab.

 

[Chops77]

I have just purchased a 2005 audi a4 avant with a westfalia detachable towbar fitted.
However,the tow hitch wasnt there but i purchesed one on ebay amd it fits pertlfectly. Westfalia code for the b7 audi is 305302.

 

[BennyG_UK]

Hi, I'm certainly not an expert but was also under the impression that original towbars are by Westfalia.

Alko, at least now, seem to specialise in the stuff for trailers, hitches etc. It's a bit of a long shot but could the sticker just mean that your towbar is compatible with ALKO hitches, they're bulkier than normal ones and need more bumper clearance?

I've got an aftermarket Westfalia on mine, if you had a shot of your socket we could maybe compare, if that doesn't sound a bit

haha. Dont have a picture to hand, but mine is completely different to yours.

Ive found the one I need on eBay, but the guys wants £100! Cant justify that for a small lump of metal. I could get a full aftermarket kit for that.

 

[BennyG_UK]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/192149086499

Thats the one that fits mine.

 

[BennyG_UK]

Still not managed to find one at a reasonable price, but here is a link to the exact kit thats installed on my car from factory for anyone thats interested:
http://r.ebay.com/6rBkuT