foz01 Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 Hi there folks, considering coming back to the VAG stable, previously had a modified TT Now however i need something that will tow my track car- a Throttle bodied stripped & caged Honda S2000 in case anyones interested Car + trailer will prob come in at 1400 odd kg's Now searching the Net a towing limit of 1400kg's is listed in Australia but the VW UK advise the car isn't suitable for towing Has anyone fitted a towbar to an R32, or 4Motion for that matter and if so any issues?!? would want a detacheable one so as not to spoil the lines when not towing.. cheers in advance foz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexc Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 As far as I'm aware the VAG towbars for the Mk4 Golfs, Passats etc are detachable. Not sure about the aftermarket brands though. As for towing 1400kgs, the R32 can cope just as long as you're prepared to put the extra strain on the drivetrain & clutch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foz01 Posted June 2, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 Cheers Drivetrain can handle a lot more power than the R32 can put down, as for the clutch i am sure it would be ok, would only have to pull it every 2 weeks max... 4wd will be good for pulling out of muddy fields at hillclimbs might call the stealer to see how much the bar costs.. car will obviously get remapped and milltek'd by the way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spence Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 I can tell you for the S3 Bosal fit removable towbars and it is easily done by any tow bar company. The dealers are not much use, mine didn't fit towbars, they just sent the cars to GT Towing, Potters Bar. The S3 has a cavity behind the rear bumper for the tow bar assembly and it doesn't need the bumper to be cut out. All the info I used was found at: TOWBARS DIRECT - Info/Sales Tel: 01925 730005 Bosal (UK) Ltd, Unit 330 Four Oaks Road, Walton Summit Centre, Bamber Bridge, Preston, Lancashire PR5 8AP Tel: 01772 771000 Fax: 01772 312750 E-mail: [email protected] For the S3 the permitted towable weights are: 740kg unbraked 1600kg braked (I tow an 18ft Ring powerboat with no problems at all, on the odd weekends when I can get out and use it!) Have you thought about an S3 instead? With a switcheable remap you would get the best of both worlds. If you can get a tow bar and electrics for the R32 you will have no worries. Hope this helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foz01 Posted June 2, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 Hey cheers for that I have considered an S3 yeah but i have previously had a TT and already done the 1.8t tuning etc, fancy a crack at the V6 Problem seems to be messing about cutting out the rear bumper and i want to be able to take of the hitch and make it so you wouldn't know it had a tow bar on there.. Seems the 4Motion is ok with th tow bar so i am assuming the R32 would be ok as well, wonder why the S3 can pull 1600 yet the R32 only 1400?!? Also wonder if the std/milltek would interfere with the tow bar?! Whats the R32's torque out of interest cheers folks foz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubzter Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 has anyone thought about the exhaust which sits across the bumper. i don't think you will be able to fit a towbar easily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spence Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 I have had a quick loot at the underside of the S3 with the removable towbar out and the electrical socket flipped down. The standard exhaust is mounted forward of the tow bar assembly well away from the rear bumper. The S3 towing weights are straight out of the handbook and seems a bit odd that the R32 is less. Cruise control is very handy too. It just may be the case that VW never designed the R32 to take a tow bar, like the Honda S2000. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon690 Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 A tow bar can't be fitted to the R32 or the V6 4Mo because the rear silencer box is in the way. I guess that's what VW mean by "not suitable". Why can't they just use plain English? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stokey Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 Hi As per Dubzter`s post the R32 is unsuitable for towing due to the siting of the exhaust. This different than on a 4-motion, so if you require a tow bar this will have to be designed by a after market company for your car, and be a one off. (Looks like one hell of a cost) Cheers STOKEY Yes I`m back after a long absence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spence Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 Moving away from the VAG camp a Scooby WRX estate would make a good tow car and you could tinker away with mods to your heart is content. Or a good old fashioned landy for those days you need it and then something else for the weekend! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foz01 Posted June 2, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 Cheers folks, although not good news, was fancying an R32 As for a scoob, no thanks, only wagon i would consider is an RS4 and they are a bit too pricy Will look into S3's as well, new S4 would be nice but again a bit too pricy Really cant justify something purely for towing as i already have a road car, track car and autocross car, was hoping to get the stable down to 3, never mind 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaffaCake Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 You don't want a scoob, get a "man's car"....Evo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foz01 Posted June 2, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 I have a friend trying to persuade me his Evo 7 extreme is perfect for the job, it already has a tow bar fitted as he used it to tow his radical lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaffaCake Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 Not that bad a car and arguably better than the equivalent scoob. Of course to compare current models you only had to watch top gear on Sunday night. Does the car need to be practical? Or just tow??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foz01 Posted June 2, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 I want something thats fun, looks yet i can throw a towbar on it and pull my track car without a problem. Like i said the towing will only be every 2nd weeikend at most so it needs to be good the rest of the time too The evo is a 50k blueprinted engined special and using it to tow a track car is prob a bit mental next for consideration is an M3, can they tow have to say a bit fecked off the R32 doesn't as really quite fancied one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaffaCake Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 I was thinking a nice diesel would be good for towing Z4 3.0d, not driven one but should pull and sporty too. If you're a hairdresser. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foz01 Posted June 2, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 I have a 406td and am pissed off with and want something sporty Z4 d, you taking the piss Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrhodes Posted June 7, 2004 Report Share Posted June 7, 2004 just thought i would add my 10p. I would phone up bosil as i was watching when they fitted a removeable towbar to the S3. All they did was remove the metal crash bar from behind the bumber and replace it with a modified one that has the towbar fitted. Now it wouldn't suprise me if the S3 and R32 bar is the same size. chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algreer Posted January 5, 2005 Report Share Posted January 5, 2005 Yep. You can fit a towbar to the R32. My local garage did to mine ( sacrilege I know but neccessary ) and she tows very well. Mine is a standard V6 4-Motion removeable hitch and the only modification required was to cut away the bottom bar of the central slot of the rear valance. This has been kept and can be replaced at a later date. It was either that or not have the car. I can't live with out a towbar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiftyPence Posted January 5, 2005 Report Share Posted January 5, 2005 the irish are renowned for their caravans Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riz Posted January 5, 2005 Report Share Posted January 5, 2005 [ QUOTE ] he only modification required was to cut away the bottom bar of the central slot of the rear valance. [/ QUOTE ] Riz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted January 5, 2005 Report Share Posted January 5, 2005 I want a picture of this R32 with and without tow bar, come on Alastair dish the pictures and lets see the dirty deed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasT Posted January 5, 2005 Report Share Posted January 5, 2005 I'd like to see it to, as I'm contemplating getting a tow-bar. Is there no way you can re-fit the bottom bar when the towbar isn't on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algreer Posted January 8, 2005 Report Share Posted January 8, 2005 Careful. I could be coming to set up a camp site near you. Seriously I use mine to tow a motorbike trailer and also stuff ( timber, gravel, etc ) for the garden. Even I'm not stupid or demented enough to put a caravan behind a R32. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algreer Posted January 8, 2005 Report Share Posted January 8, 2005 Further to the R32 towbar debate - No the head mechanic in my stealers who in his own words is "very fussy" said it was the only way. He was nearly in tears when he took the hacksaw to the rear valance. The problem is in the depth of the rear valance/ bumper and the way that the removeable hitch has to line up. Makes an excellent reversing sensor tho. Anyone that wants a pic of the offending article <font color="red"> Send me a PM </font> . Will post it out as I would'nt know how to start getting it onto the forum. <font color="#666666"> Edit by Smudge. - If you really want everyone in the world seeing your mobile number, send me a PM & I'll put it back in there for you. Best kept off though buddy! </font> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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