Westfalia Tow Bar Installation and Operating Instructions
For VW Crafter Single
Product Identification
Part Number: 321 946 600 001
Vehicle Model: VW Crafter Single
Manufacturer: Westfalia-Automotive GmbH, Am Sandberg 45, D-33378 Rheda-Wiedenbrück
Approval Number: E13 55R-014055 / E13 55R-014162
Type: 321 884
Functional Type: SY/SZ
Class and Coupling Type: F
D-Value: 17.5 kN / 21 kN
Max. Vertical Load (S): 150 kg
Languages included: German (D), Czech (CZ), Danish (DK), Spanish (E), French (F), Finnish (FIN), English (GB), Greek (GR), Hungarian (H), Italian (I), Norwegian (N), Dutch (NL), Polish (PL), Russian (RUS), Swedish (S).
Included Hardware
The tow bar kit includes the following hardware:
- 8x M12x1.5x110 bolts (Grade 10.9)
- 4x M10x45 bolts (Grade 10.9)
General Information and Safety Warnings
Westfalia Automotive products are manufactured with the utmost care. Should you encounter any issues, please contact your contract partner directly and provide the charge number found on the type plate. Without this information, your complaint cannot be processed.
Important Directives and Prohibitions:
- National guidelines concerning official approval of auxiliaries must be observed.
- Any alteration or modification of the tow bar is prohibited and voids the operating license.
- Remove insulating compound or underbody coating from the vehicle in the area of the tow bar's contact surfaces before installation.
- The tow bar is intended for towing trailers and for attaching load carriers. Any other use is prohibited.
- For vehicles equipped with an acoustic parking system, malfunctions may occur if parts of the tow bar (e.g., ball neck or coupling ball) are within the sensor's detection range. Adjust the sensing range or disable the parking system if necessary. For tow bars with removable or pivoting ball necks, parking system malfunctions are unlikely when the ball neck is not in the operating position.
- The tow bar is a safety-critical component and must only be fitted by qualified companies. Improper assembly may result in a serious accident hazard.
- The German text of this instruction is binding.
- Subject to change.
Installation Steps
Follow these steps for proper installation:
- Step 1: Vehicle Preparation
Mount the tow bar assembly to the rear of the VW Crafter vehicle.
- Step 2: Securing the Frame
Attach the tow bar frame to the vehicle chassis using the provided M12x1.5x110 bolts. Tighten these bolts to a torque of 70 Nm plus an additional 270° turn.
- Step 3: Attaching the Tow Ball
Mount the tow ball assembly to the tow bar frame. Secure it using the M10x45 bolts, tightening them to a torque of 55 Nm.
ECE-R 55 Compliance and Clearance Requirements
The installation must comply with European Directive ECE-R 55. Key clearance requirements must be met:
- General Clearance: Ensure sufficient clearance as specified in Appendix 7, Figures 25a and 25b of the ECE-R 55 regulations. This includes specific angular and linear clearances relative to the vehicle and tow bar components.
- Hand Lever Clearance: Ensure adequate clearance for the hand lever of bolt couplings as specified in Appendix VII, Diagram 33 of the ECE-R 55 guideline. Minimum clearances of ≥60 mm and ≥100 mm may apply to different points.
The maximum permissible towing mass of the tow bar is determined by the 'D' test value, calculated as D = (T x C) / (T + C) x 0.00981 kN, where T is the maximum permissible mass of the towing vehicle and C is the maximum permissible towing mass of the towing vehicle.
Declaration of Correct Installation
The installer declares that the tow bar has been installed correctly according to the manufacturer's specifications and attachment points, using the supplied parts. The vehicle user must also be informed about the proper use and maintenance of the tow bar.
