No factory fitted towbar?

Discopanda

Active Member
May 10, 2016
46
4
It's the one thing I want on my proposed new car; a towbar fitted at the factory, but for whatever reason it's not an option. I absolutely do not want my local dealer removing the bumpers etc from a brand new car.

Do you think the facelift will allow this as an option?
 

propane94

Bearded Ginger
Nov 15, 2012
406
12
Portsmouth
Most of the new Leon's have the option of having a tow bar installed I think, the only exception to this is the Cupra. You cannot have a tow bar on any Leon Cupra currently.

Which trim were you looking at??
 

Discopanda

Active Member
May 10, 2016
46
4
Hi. It's an FR I'm interested in. But the configurator only mentions a pre-install at £160. I'm presuming my dealer would need to fit it once it's been built and delivered?
 

propane94

Bearded Ginger
Nov 15, 2012
406
12
Portsmouth
From what I understand, that allows the dealer to fit it from the factory. I think the hole comes pre-cut and a cover over it, along with some necessary wiring, instead of a solid piece needing to be cut.

You have the option to buy a detachable tow bar under the accessories as well.
 

Discopanda

Active Member
May 10, 2016
46
4
Can anyone confirm what the dealer would need to do and how invasive the install is? I'd not trust them to replace a bulb, let alone put a towbar on a new car.

It's strange how you can specify a proper factory fit towbar on other SEATs (Toledo) but not on the Leon.
 

philhoward

Active Member
Aug 17, 2015
133
0
Dealer fit only on a Leon - they didn't do it too well on mine so I can understand the apprehension! It's a SEAT genuine kit, just not fitted as good.

Mine's an FR ST - the cover clips into a frame which needs to be stuck/bonded to the inside face of the bumper and match the cutout they do. First time, they didn't stick the frame in correctly and in trying to get the cover to fit (probably with pliers by the looks of it - car arrived with the cover almost hangin off) scratched the paint off the 1/4 turn screws. Went back to them - they fitted the frame correctly this time and resprayed the cover but it's not quite the same shade for some reason. They sent me another cover but that's still not quite a perfect match but life is too short to have another go at them.
 

Discopanda

Active Member
May 10, 2016
46
4
Thanks for this. I'll hold off for now I think. Hopefully they'll add a factory tow bar to the options soon. Otherwise I'll need to buy an Astra instead!
 

philhoward

Active Member
Aug 17, 2015
133
0
I nearly went for an Octavia because they can come with a factory fitted tow bar - and a lot cheaper as well (£550 last time I looked).
 

slamka33

Active Member
Dec 6, 2014
300
5
Option "tow bar pre-fit" is just a cabling preparation, nothing else.

From what I know from my dealer there are several problems why he do not recommend to go in this option:
1. Whole pre-cabling needs to be re-pulled again, as "strange cables are fitted in". If I remember well, just 7-pin is installed.
2. No original cover for FR bumper when tow bar not mounted.

Recommended is to find a tow bar dealer who can install tow bar "low enough" that there is no need to cut the bumper. And let him to do his cabling as requested (7-pin, 13-pin).

I saw somewhere here on this forum a pics of such low installation of tow bar, as I was checking possibilities for my ST for tow bar bike carriers. Finally I have decided to go for roof bars, as it is simpler solution.
 

dids

Active Member
Apr 5, 2015
209
1
Stockport
I had a tow bar fitted to my FR last year, i looked at a few options and in the end went for the Westfalia which VAG recommend and fit.


Hope that helps.
 

Djbunker8

Active Member
Mar 20, 2017
4
0
Most of the new Leon's have the option of having a tow bar installed I think, the only exception to this is the Cupra. You cannot have a tow bar on any Leon Cupra currently.

Which trim were you looking at??



Hello all

Newbie question here - thinking of getting a 290 ST before the summer, trading in my Essex Go Kart Fiesta ST.

Bit concerned with the note above saying that none of the Cupras can have tow bars fitted :cry:

Does this mean they can't have a *factory* fitted option?
I'm assuming they *can* have an after market jobbie??

Thanks in advance
 

propane94

Bearded Ginger
Nov 15, 2012
406
12
Portsmouth
Hello all

Newbie question here - thinking of getting a 290 ST before the summer, trading in my Essex Go Kart Fiesta ST.

Bit concerned with the note above saying that none of the Cupras can have tow bars fitted :cry:

Does this mean they can't have a *factory* fitted option?
I'm assuming they *can* have an after market jobbie??

Thanks in advance

You can't have one fitted at the dealer because they are not Type Approved, EU regulation governing towing etc. Also means you cannot get a legal aftermarket one fitted.

You still can't add one but its worth asking Seat UK about this, as the design may have changed, I cannot find an aftermarket one for a Cupra, all are for FR or less.
 

SRGTD

Active Member
May 26, 2014
2,680
1,528
You can't have one fitted at the dealer because they are not Type Approved, EU regulation governing towing etc. Also means you cannot get a legal aftermarket one fitted.

You still can't add one but its worth asking Seat UK about this, as the design may have changed, I cannot find an aftermarket one for a Cupra, all are for FR or less.

You would also invalidate your insurance.
 

Djbunker8

Active Member
Mar 20, 2017
4
0
You would also invalidate your insurance.

Woah, that's potentially a bit of a deal breaker. I heard that the new March 17 Cupras won't work with tow bar because part of the 4x4 system is located in the place where a tow bar would go... I only want to put a bike carrier on there... guess I might have to go for roof bars.

I looked on a few sites earlier and it wasn't _totally_ clear whether they would fit to a Cupra...

Will put in an email to SEAT UK...

Thanks for your help!
 

kazand

Is powered by Medtronics
Jun 6, 2010
4,138
73
Brum
Woah, that's potentially a bit of a deal breaker. I heard that the new March 17 Cupras won't work with tow bar because part of the 4x4 system is located in the place where a tow bar would go... I only want to put a bike carrier on there... guess I might have to go for roof bars.

I looked on a few sites earlier and it wasn't _totally_ clear whether they would fit to a Cupra...

Will put in an email to SEAT UK...

Thanks for your help!
only 4 x 4 on ST
 

Djbunker8

Active Member
Mar 20, 2017
4
0
Tow bars definitive answer please!

Hi all

I'm plumping for a Leon 290 ST DSG this summer. But I'm also tempted by the new 300 ST.
However I also want to fit a tow bar for a bike rack.

Could I ask you to let me know definitively if the following can have a tow bar:

1. Leon FR ST DSG - I know this is a yes from other posts
2. Leon Cupra ST 290 DSG - yes/no
3. Leon Cupra ST 300 DSG - I believe this is a no due to the 4x4 kit


It's #2 I'm mostly interested in!

Thanks[B)]
 
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