mkoneman Posted March 2, 2008 Report Share Posted March 2, 2008 i have a factory fit detachable tow bar i have no instructions for it and i need to use it to tow my mk1 new weekend do i simply push it up in place as it just clicks in or do i have to do something with the knob on the side once its in??????? help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted March 2, 2008 Report Share Posted March 2, 2008 I think it clips up and then you add the knob on. My A6 has it (only noticed when looking in the spare wheel well!)??? You should also have the cables for the electrics to attach the trailer lights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teacake Posted March 2, 2008 Report Share Posted March 2, 2008 [ QUOTE ] i have a factory fit detachable tow bar i have no instructions for it and i need to use it to tow my mk1 new weekend do i simply push it up in place as it just clicks in or do i have to do something with the knob on the side once its in??????? help [/ QUOTE ] If you follow the same procedure as me first time, you'll push it up until it clicks into place. Then, when you push the trailer hitch down onto it, the whole assembly falls out onto the road. If I remember correctly, you have to turn the knob and withdraw the key. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IT_S8 Posted March 2, 2008 Report Share Posted March 2, 2008 [ QUOTE ] i have a factory fit detachable tow bar i have no instructions for it and i need to use it to tow my mk1 new weekend do i simply push it up in place as it just clicks in or do i have to do something with the knob on the side once its in??????? help [/ QUOTE ] Insert the red key. Turn to unlock. Then pull the knob out about quarter inch and turn until it clicks, then its ready to install. 'Shove' it up the hole until it clicks and grabs firmly. If its not been used for a while, they can get muck in there and it might take some effort the first time to get it in. There is a red cap that is supposed to be fitted to prevent this, but I've not known anyone even know whats that for let alone use it ! Turn the red key back to lock and remove key. To remove, insert key, unlock. Pull knob out again and turn until the swan neck drops out. Enjoy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkoneman Posted March 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2008 cheers people that's cool ill give it a grease and try it tomorrow last thing i want is the race shuttle and mk1 going off in the opposite direction Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJStrange Posted March 3, 2008 Report Share Posted March 3, 2008 I just used my retrofitted detachable towbar for the first time at the weekend. It's like IT_S8 says, hold the ball in your hand, put the key in the lock and turn to unlock, now pull out the hand wheel and turn clockwise I think until you hear a click, now it's ready to fit (the ball bearings will have retracted into the shaft). Push the shaft up into the recess, you might have to really heave it to make it snap into place - mind your back!! There's not really much chance of mis-fitting it as you can't lock it or take the key out unless it's snapped into position and the handwheel is locked shut. Test it with your weight to make sure it's definitely in place. The electrics are on a little sprung assembly that swings down at the exhaust side of the ball, and if it's a euro-style 13-pin socket, you'll need an adaptor to convert to UK 7-pin. My S8 towed my caravan at the weekend and it was a breeze, couldn't really tell it was towing anything to be honest, and this is a 17.5ft caravan with all the trimmings, a boot full of tool boxes, back seat full of bags and clothes. Just stuck it on cruise at 60 and it never faltered. Top towing car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figure11 Posted March 3, 2008 Report Share Posted March 3, 2008 [ QUOTE ] My S8 towed my caravan at the weekend and it was a breeze, couldn't really tell it was towing anything to be honest, and this is a 17.5ft caravan with all the trimmings, a boot full of tool boxes, back seat full of bags and clothes. Just stuck it on cruise at 60 and it never faltered. Top towing car! [/ QUOTE ] Caravan - S8............ S8 - Caravan............. You evil evil man! I've reported you to Top Gear for cruelty to sports saloons. Clarkson's gonna have you! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJStrange Posted March 3, 2008 Report Share Posted March 3, 2008 I get this all the time. Used to have people slate me for towing with a Vectra GSi (good towing car too). This is the beauty of detachable towbars though, once it's hidden you'd never know it was a caravan towcar, it goes back to being the brute force luxury barge again. Thing is, why shouldn't I tow with the car I love? I'd have had an R33 Skyline if I could have fitted a towbar to it, but alas I plumped for the Vectra for practicality. Now I've got something as powerful as an R33 but with the bonus of being able to tow my little home once a year, I'm made up Don't confuse me with Granddad Tourer though, I tow once every 12 to 24 months, I use motorways whenever possible and I travel in the early hours (1am embark usually), so the chances of getting stuck behind me are gonna be pretty slim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figure11 Posted March 3, 2008 Report Share Posted March 3, 2008 I live in Devon. The summer is hell. My best mate's a hotelier. Caravan owners hate hoteliers and want to drive them all out of business so everyone uses caravans and nobody drives in a spirited manner. This is my conspiracy theory; mine i tell you; all mine!!! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PsYcHe Posted March 3, 2008 Report Share Posted March 3, 2008 Gave a workmate a lift to and from a team meet in Brum last week. And after a wee while passing stuff effortlessly on the M6 for a bit, he laughed about how you wouldn't be caught dead with a towbar on something like the '8 and how it would tow like 'a very good towing thing'(he's had diesel Picasso and X-Trail for his 2-axle van), he was dumbfounded to have me point out my tow-hitch at the next services stop. And as an aside, my dad wishes he'd had an 8 when we used to go on caravan holidays (me too, I'd actually have had some space in the car!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oli18 Posted March 4, 2008 Report Share Posted March 4, 2008 I'm curious about the whole towbar thing now... ...did all A8s come towbar prepped? If so, have i missed something and can i get a towbar easily? -Oli Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostKiwi Posted March 4, 2008 Report Share Posted March 4, 2008 Personally I fail to see the point of caravans... They cost money to buy up front. They cost money on your insurance. They cost money to maintain. They cost money to drag around the country. You get abuse everywhere you go. It takes longer to get places. When you do the sums a B&B works out a lot cheaper and more comfortable too! The only point to a tow bar on an '8 that I can see is to drag another vehicle around on a trailer (serious 4x4, rally/race car, trail bikes, Yachts, powerboats and the like - proper big boys toys!).... And there's the other problem with caravans - you have to leave the big boys toys at home! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figure11 Posted March 6, 2008 Report Share Posted March 6, 2008 LostKiwi, We must be soul mates! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IceBlue8 Posted March 7, 2008 Report Share Posted March 7, 2008 Guys - a word of warning on the detachable tow bar! I have one and when I first fitted it, it seemed OK but I could never get the key out. So I just used it with the key in - until the trailer came off, fully loaded! The towbar had simply dropped off. Anyway - loads of advice and WD40 later, there are 3 key rules: 1. Dont use it unless you can lock it. If it's not locked, it's not fully engaged. 2. When not in use, store it in the 'sprung' position (handle retracted), otherwise you can weaken the spring apparently 3. Use loads of WD40 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkoneman Posted March 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 well lets just say my 1st towing experience with the A8 didn't go to plan i went to pick up a written off mk4 golf gti turbo for the engine for one of my mk1 golf's end ended up with 2 written off cars whoops, that a full 180 degree spin with the car and trailer facing the wrong way on a duel carriageway main factor was the cross wind i just saved it from hitting the centre barrier 1st time for a new one now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 aww mate...... gutted for you ..... everyone ok? Are you sure the 8's written off? ant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkoneman Posted March 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 not sure yet mate waiting for the insurance people to do there thing yeah me and my mate got out fine lucky the carriage way was empty so it was only my cars involved Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IT_S8 Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 Gutting... At least no flesh wounded. Its worth seeing if the ins company will let you keep it, they can often sell it back to the owner cheap even if its written off.... Photo doesn't look that bad, but I guess its all panel damage and probably the rear O/S quarter which will never straighten...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ska Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 Oh Sh1t, gutted for you m8. Hope the insurance agro is minimal for you and glad to hear you guys are OK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thenamesross Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 Must have been pucker factor 10 at the time! At least no ones hurt. Damn shame about the mota though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teacake Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 Christ on a bike! That's a lucky escape! How fast were you going? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oli18 Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 Absolutely gutted for you mate! I own a caravan (being a proper dutchman lol!) which had a blowout doing 60mph on a motorway so i know how hard it is to control a car when you are towing it and it starts to swerve badly. (i got out of it luckily but it was a right 'mare). Hope the insurance hassle isn't too bad and you manage to sort things out. -Oli Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostKiwi Posted March 25, 2008 Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 Damn thats bad luck.... One thing I did notice though... was the golf loaded rear first on the trailer? If so that probably won't have helped you... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figure11 Posted March 25, 2008 Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 oo mate, that is heart breaking. After all your effort. Really feel for you. If there is anything poistive it's that you are both ok. I suppose you can also look forward to a new project usng all the experiance you gained on the 8. A pheonix rising from the ashes? I guess from you posts your a bit of a perfectionist so I'll look forward to what you do next. Glad you got out ok. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duffy3074 Posted March 25, 2008 Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 Ouch, sorry to see that, best of luck with repairs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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