Westfalia Tow Bar System

General Information and Safety Warnings

This manual provides instructions for the installation and operation of the Westfalia detachable tow bar system for the Ford B-Max. It is essential to adhere to national guidelines concerning the approval of vehicle modifications and installations. Any alterations or modifications to the tow bar are prohibited and will void the operating license.

Before installation, remove any insulating compound or underbody coating from the vehicle's contact surfaces for the tow bar. The tow bar is designed for towing trailers and carrying loads; any other use is forbidden.

Vehicles equipped with parking assistance systems may experience malfunctions after tow bar installation if parts of the system (e.g., ball bar, coupling ball) are within the sensor's detection range. In such cases, the detection range may need adjustment, or the parking assistance system deactivated. For trailer hitches with removable or pivoting ball tow bars, malfunctions are unlikely if the ball bar is removed from its operating position.

The tow bar is a safety-critical component and must only be installed by qualified companies. Improper installation can lead to serious accident hazards. The German text of this manual is binding.

The document is available in multiple languages, including German (de), Czech (cs), Danish (da), Spanish (es), French (fr), Finnish (fi), English (en), Greek (el), Hungarian (hu), Italian (it), Norwegian (no), Dutch (nl), Polish (pl), Russian (ru), and Swedish (sv).

Technical Specifications

• Part Number: 307 315
• Vehicle: Ford B-Max
• Functional Type: JK8
• Class and Type of Coupling: A50-X
• Homologation: E13 55R-01 3425
• D-Value: 6.8 kN
• Max. Vertical Load (S): 50 kg
• Towing Capacity: Refer to vehicle registration card.

The D-Value, as defined by European Directive 94/20/EC, is calculated as: D = (T x C) / (T + C) x 0.00981 kN, where T is the max. towing vehicle mass and C is the max. trailer mass.

Parts List and Hardware

The tow bar kit includes the following components:

• 1. Receiver Tube
• 2. Ball Bar
• 3. Locking Balls
• 4. Release Lever
• 5. Handwheel
• 6. Cover
• 7. Key
• 8. Red Marking (Handwheel)
• 9. Green Marking (Handwheel)
• 10. Green Marking (Ball Bar)
• 11. Symbol (Release)
• 12. Plug
• 13. Stop Pin

Hardware included:

• 6x M10x45 (10.9)
• 4x M10x40 (10.9)
• 4x 10.5x30x3
• 4x 10.5x25x3
• 6x 8.5x24x2
• 6x M8 (8)

Installation Instructions

The installation involves several steps, typically requiring access to the vehicle's rear and chassis.

• Step 1: Access the rear of the vehicle, potentially requiring bumper removal or partial disassembly as indicated by arrows in the diagrams.
• Step 2: Locate the designated mounting points on the vehicle's chassis.
• Step 3: Attach the tow bar brackets (parts 4 and 5) to the chassis using the specified bolts (e.g., M10x45, 10.5x30x3) and nuts.
• Step 4: Mount the main tow bar structure (part 1) to the attached brackets using bolts (e.g., 8.4x24x2) and nuts (e.g., M8).
• Step 5: Secure the tow bar crossmember (part 2) to the chassis using bolts (e.g., M10x40, 10.5x25x3).
• Step 6: Tighten all bolts to the specified torque values (e.g., M10x45 to 64Nm, M10x45 to 6-7Nm, M10x40 to 64Nm, M8 to 25Nm).
• Step 7: Reassemble any removed vehicle parts, such as the bumper cover.

Note: Detailed visual guidance for each step is provided in the original document's diagrams.

Detachable Ball Bar Operation

Before each journey, ensure the detachable ball bar is correctly locked:

• The green marking on the handwheel must align with the green marking on the ball bar.
• The handwheel should rest flush against the ball bar with no gap.
• The lock must be closed, and the key withdrawn. The handwheel should not be pullable.
• The ball bar must be firmly seated in the receiver tube; check by shaking it.

If any of these checks fail, repeat the installation procedure. If the issue persists, do not use the tow bar and contact the manufacturer.

Attaching the Ball Bar: Insert the ball bar into the receiver tube from below and push upwards until it locks automatically. Ensure hands are kept clear of the handwheel as it rotates during locking.

Detaching the Ball Bar: Unlock the mechanism, pull out the ball bar, and store it safely. Always insert the plug into the receiver tube when the ball bar is removed. This is crucial if the ball obstructs the vehicle's license plate or lights.

Maintenance and Important Notes

Regular maintenance is essential for proper function. Keep the ball bar and receiver clean. Lubricate the lock mechanism with graphite only. Use resin-free grease or oil for bearings, sliding surfaces, and balls to ensure smooth operation and corrosion protection.

Repairs and disassembly of the detachable ball bar should only be performed by the manufacturer. Affix the provided warning label in a visible location on the vehicle.

When cleaning the vehicle with a high-pressure washer, the ball bar must be removed, and the plug inserted into the receiver. The ball bar itself should not be cleaned with high-pressure steam.

The detachable ball bar comes with two keys. Note the key number (????) for future reordering.