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Sat 30 Nov 2002 16:20

audi a2 towbar - t.g.webb

I've just heard today of an instance where the buyer of a new aluminium Audi A2 had intended to have a towbar fitted afterwards in view of the price being asked by Audi for this.

He then learned too late that, not only could an independent shop not do this, a towbar can only be supplied by Audi as a factory fitted option.

These makers need to be reminded of the real world.

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Sat 30 Nov 2002 19:46

audi a2 towbar - RogerL

All new cars can only have towbars fitted which meet their type approval regulations, regardless of who makes/sells the towbar. Not all cars have been type approved for towbar fitment. Ford Ka and BMW's with lowered suspension are obvious examples but there are others.

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Wed 17 Nov 2010 10:30

audi a2 towbar - Roly93

I think I may be right in saying that the towbars Audi fit as standard are re-badged Westfalia units, so they are probably spreading FUD that going elsewhere may give problems. I think the biggest issue in adding on non-Audi towbar is breaking into the electrics actually.

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Thu 18 Nov 2010 22:19

audi a2 towbar - Waino

Several years ago, a friend bought a towbar for his Skoda Octavia estate from the local dealer. When the chap dropped it on the counter, he added that 'if the box had said Audi on it, it would have cost twice as much for the same thing'. Remember the song - the more it costs, the more it's worth!

A couple of months ago, I bought a towbar for the Astra 1.3tdci in order to mount an Atera bike rack. When I explained to the fitter that there was no way that I would attempt to tow a caravan with it, he remarked that I'd be amazed at what people will try and tow a caravan with!

It is true that the biggest problem with fitting a towbar on a modern car is breaking into the electrics. The Astra had to have a box of tricks attached behind a panel at the side of the load bay. I left it to a specialist fitter - who, I have to say, did a first-class job.

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Thu 18 Nov 2010 22:39

audi a2 towbar - runboy

With the A2 being aluminium, wouldn't the fitting (and fittings) have to be carefully chosen as not to cause a reaction between different metals? Might be more to the towbar package than meets the eye.

IIRC I read somewhere about someone fitting something into an A2 and the fittings caused the aluminium to corrode which is costly to fix.

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Sat 20 Nov 2010 08:22

audi a2 towbar - daveyjp

Runboy has it spot on - you need a particular type of towbar to prevent aluminium corrosion. I had an A2 and this was evident in the handbook.

An A2 would tow a small trailer with no problem.

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