Leon FR - Towbar ?

[claudefrog]

this is the one I have fitted.

http://www.towequipe.co.uk/products/b446700a-brink-detach-towbar-for-seat-leon-hatchback-0509.html

 

[jrsmooth]

Aah, that ones a brink! I think I will have to get this fitted, I've been without my ski for too long!

Yeh Newcastle isn't too bad for you. I've got family near Bangor, and they regularly come down to see us. It's a long trip, then they usually continue down to France!

 

[claudefrog]

I think I bought it here

http://www.hedley-towbars.co.uk/seatleon.html
LEON 2005- 4467 THULE YES YES YES 80 £191.00

And if you want a look at the instructions...
Fitting Manual
http://www.brink.eu/download_manual.php?id=920

 

[jrsmooth]

Are your electrics just spliced into the wiring loom, or have you got a proper CanBus compatible kit? I was going to get those waterproof LEDs but I had read that people were having issues with the cars CanBus.

If you go for the proper kit, which I'm guessing will just be the same as the Golfs, then you can get trailer protection set up, so if anybody unplugs the electrics the cars alarm will go off.

EDIT: youtube vid here

 

[claudefrog]

never realised you could get that working.. pretty cool.. i just went for the cheap and cheerful..

http://www.detachabletowbars.com/7-way-bypass-relay-for-towbars.html

 

[jrsmooth]

never realised you could get that working.. pretty cool.. i just went for the cheap and cheerful..

http://www.detachabletowbars.com/7-way-bypass-relay-for-towbars.html

It would be interesting to see if somebody with VagCom could code it in, and see if it works with your setup!

 

[claudefrog]

It would be interesting to see if somebody with VagCom could code it in, and see if it works with your setup!

I dont think it will tbh, I am taking a small signal from the rear light unit, I am not integrated into the any of the can-bus modules.

I have vagcom and the settings for this are in there, but I dont have the correct controller to enable.

 

[jrsmooth]

Hmm, and something tells me that the module will cost an arm and a leg!

Shame nothing is easy!

 

[rokkan]

Does anybody have any experience of using a clip-on bike rack with their towbar? I would like to use one to transport my dirt bike but my Leon manual has the following statement:

"the maximum permitted weight exerted by the trailer drawbar on the ball joint of the towing bracket must not exceed 75kg"

I was planning to have a PCT towbar (model ST4322) fitted but looking on their website they also have a similar statement.

Example clip-on bike rack

World wide web .davecooper.co.uk/bike_racks.htm

 

[claudefrog]

I use what I would call a clip on bike rack, it is a bike rack that slips over the towball and folds out to lock in place, have 2 bikes on it regulary with no issues at all

 

[Sooty torques]

75kg towball limit is pretty common nowadays (50kg used to be the max not so long ago), usually only pick-ups & 4x4's have a much higher rating. Main reasons are due to suspension limits (springs / dampers) and mounting point limits - both problems can be surmounted if you are prepared to spend more money...

Have you phoned them and asked for their "friendly advice"? I'd also phone round a couple of other towbar / trailer places to get their opinions of going over recommended towball limit and how to keep everything safe.

 

[a.fish]

Hi guys,

i know this has been talked about no end now but i'm just trying to clarify things before i make a hideous mistake, i've just upgraded my ibiza to Leon FR 2010. Firstly i think i'm right in thinking this is the 'facelift' model. secondly, i've seen people jumping between the westfalia and the brink (thule) detachable. I spoke to towbar company today saying they would fit a Witter but when i looked at pictures, even with unit detached it all stuck out like a sore thumb so i didn't want to go for that. from what i've seen/read i'm heading more and more to the westfalia

What i really want is how it looks in a couple of photos around SC.net and thats with no sign of the towbar at all - i.e. the one where a section of the bumper can be replaced and i belive the towbar fits from underneath. I'm towing a caravan however i really don't want to advertise this to anyone when i'm not towing as it kinda takes the P out of the FR badge!!!!

Any help/make/models/photos would be much appreciated as i'm getting confused now and need to get it sorted asap.

Cheers

 

[Jarre]

Can't help you with tow bars, but your 2010 leon is the facelift model

 

[a.fish]

Can't help you with tow bars, but your 2010 leon is the facelift model

Thanks, at least thats the first step sorted ...

 

[stevehighsted]

Thanks, at least thats the first step sorted ...

Hi. I've a 2010 FR (diesel). Needed to tow so had the Westfalia fitted with 13 pin electrics (and an adaptor lead). Had to get bumper cut but with Seat cover is hardly noticeable when removed. Will try and upload a photo.

 

[a.fish]

Hi. I've a 2010 FR (diesel). Needed to tow so had the Westfalia fitted with 13 pin electrics (and an adaptor lead). Had to get bumper cut but with Seat cover is hardly noticeable when removed. Will try and upload a photo.

Sweet thats what i wanted to hear thanks. How much and where did you get the cover from, i've tried looking and failed, if you could get a pic, it would be good to see too

 

[seatstu]

Have a look at my guide I did when I fitted mine. This lists the parts that I used and the prices and where I got them from.
The top picture is with the towbar removed and the cover in place. It is very discrete and you don't really notice it.
I know my car is a Cupra with Aero kit but the towbar is for the FR model and the instructions has the measurements for the FR bumper to cut the panel out for the cover.
If you go for the Brink/Thule one the cover plate comes with it. Not sure about other makes as some I looked at said you had to buy the cover seperately from Seat.

My guide http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=346737

 

[stevehighsted]

Sweet thats what i wanted to hear thanks. How much and where did you get the cover from, i've tried looking and failed, if you could get a pic, it would be good to see too

Hi, just removed cover and the part no is 5P0.803.595. The guy who fitted the bar cut to the Westfalia instructions but these weren't spot on! He had to notch the cut-out for everything to fit. However, the Seat cover still clips on fine.

 

[a.fish]

Thanks for the help i got from a number of you, its much appreciated,

i've gone and settled for the Westfalia towbar and i should be fitting it on friday so fingers crossed i don't end up regretting it.

 

[blueleontsi]

has anyone fitted a fixed flange tow bar to a FL Leon?