VW T5 Transporter Towbars

Volkswagen T5 Transporter Towbars Towing Specifics

The Volkswagen Transporter T5 range is the fifth generation of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV/VWN) 'Transporter' series of medium-sized light commercial vehicles. When it comes to towing the Volkswagen Transporter T5 has a large towing capacity. Currently, the Volkswagen Transporter T5 has two generations, with the last release being, released in the UK in 2003. We will be covering the towing specifics of all both generations below.

2003 - 2009 1st Generation

Volkswagen Transporter T5 2003-2009 Towbar electric kits

We recommend that all tow bars fitted to a Volkswagen Transporter T5 are fitted with a dedicated electrics kit, this not only helps to ensure, parking sensors function correctly, would enable any towing features the van has, check the owner manual for your vehicle. If you are converting a van to a camper, then dedicated is easier to install, it runs underneath the van.

Bypass Relays

All 2003-2009 Volkswagen Transporter T5 tow bars fits will not require a bypass relay, if universal electrics are fitted, this is to ensure that the kit does not present faults on the dashboard. A bypass relay helps the universal kit hide from your vehicle ECU and functions so as not to out faults on the dashboard hence the name “BYPASS” A dedicated system works in harmony with your vehicles ECU and all of its functions.

Coding

This is the coding of the ECU to accept the dedicated system, this updates your vehicle's software to run smoothly with the new towbar, it works very much like an update to your smartphone. 2003-2009 Volkswagen Transporter T5's will require coding.

Bumper cuts

For the 2003-2009 Transporter, T5's a bumper cut is not required.

Nose weight

Nose weight is the amount of weight pushing down on the tow ball, it is important to not exceed the nose weight set on the tow bar, failure to do so could damage the car chassis and/or tow bar mounting points. Nose weight is also towbar specific, so bars can handle more nose weight than other bars. For the Volkswagen Transporter T5's 2003 - 2009 the minimum nose weight capacity is 100kg, and the maximum capacity is 120kg, nose weights are displayed under each tow bar below. (nose weights are towbar specific)

Towing weight

Towing weight is the weight that the Volkswagen Transporter T5's 2003 - 2009 towbars can tow safely, without damaging the vehicle, the towing weight for towbars for the 2003 - 2009 Transporter T5 varies depending on which towbar you purchase, again the towing weight is bar specific. The minimum weight capacity is 2500kg, maximum weight capacity is 2800kg (towing weights are bar specific, and are shown under each bar)

You will need to check the towing limit for your model of T5 as it may not be able to tow up to the weight limit that the tow bar can tow.

Trailer Hitch Preparation

Not all T5's are supplied by Volkswagen with a socket to connect any towbar electrics to in the boot, there is a sticker in located just above your feet on the steering column, it will say next to Trailer Hitch section, either 1D7, which means it has trailer prep, or 1Do means it does not have trailer prep. If there is no trailer prep on the vehicle you will need to order the no trailer prep electrics kit. See the image at the bottom of this article.

Volkswagen Transporter T5 2009 - 2015 2nd Generation

The second generation of Volkswagen Transporter T5's was launched in 2009 - 2015.

Volkswagen Transporter T5 2009 - 2015 Onwards Towbar Electric Kits

We recommend that all tow bars fitted to a Volkswagen Transporter T5 are fitted with a dedicated electrics kit, this not only helps to ensure, parking sensors function correctly, would enable any towing features the van has, check the owner manual for your vehicle. If you are converting a van to a camper, then dedicated is easier to install, it runs underneath the van.