Westfalia 321 536 Tow Bar Installation Guide

Important Safety Information

Note: Always observe national guidelines concerning official approval of extensions. Any alteration or conversion of the tow bar is prohibited and will result in the cancellation of the type approval.

Prepare the vehicle by removing insulating compound, cavity sealing (wax), or damping material from the tow bar's mating surfaces on the vehicle's underbody. Remove any bore shavings and treat exposed body parts (e.g., bore holes) with rust-proofing paint.

The tow bar is designed for towing trailers fitted with ball couplings and for use with load-bearing implements approved for attachment to the tow bar. Any use other than the specified purpose is prohibited.

Note on Parking Assistance Systems: If your vehicle is equipped with a Parking Distance Control (PDC) system, malfunctioning may occur after tow bar installation. This is because parts of the tow bar (ball bar, ball coupling) might be within the sensors' detection area. In such cases, the detection area should be readjusted, or the PDC system deactivated. Malfunctioning is not expected if using detachable or pivoted ball bars and the ball bar is removed from its operating position.

Important Warning: The original M10 screws must not be reused under any circumstances.

Parts Included

• 1: Basic frame
• 2: Ball tow bar
• 3: Hexagon screws
• 4: Screws
• 5: Screws
• 6: Washers
• 7: Nuts

Diagram: Parts Overview

A diagram shows the main components of the tow bar system, labeled with numbers 1 through 7, corresponding to the parts list.

Assembly Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Vehicle

Remove the vehicle's rear bumper cover. This may also require loosening the tail lights. Dismantle the original standard holder and reinforcement support from the vehicle, as these parts are no longer needed.

Step 2: Install Basic Frame

Slide the basic frame (1) into the vehicle's frame members (sleepers) and fasten it using screws (4) and washers (5) as shown in the assembly diagram.

Step 3: Align and Tighten Screws

Align the basic frame (1) with the vehicle and tighten screws (4). Torque Specification: For M10x35 screws (quality class 10.9), use angle-controlled tightening. First, tighten all screws alternately (cross-wise) to 50 Nm (±10% tolerance). Then, retighten all screws alternately (cross-wise) by an additional 90° (+30° tolerance).

Step 4: Install Electrical Kit

Mount the electrical kit according to the separate instructions provided.

Step 5: Modify Bumper

Cut out the marked area on the inside of the existing bumper (spoiler) from below, in the centre.

Diagram: Bumper Cut-out

A diagram illustrates the process of cutting the rear bumper cover, showing the area to be removed and indicating a date (2010/08) and dimensions (e.g., 320, 40, R30).

Step 6: Attach Ball Tow Bar

Insert the ball tow bar (2) between the two connecting plates of the basic frame (1). Secure it using hexagon screws (3), washers (6), and nuts (7). The specified torque for quality class 10.9 is 95 Nm.

Step 7: Reassemble Vehicle Parts

Reattach the tail lights and the bumper cover using the standard screws.

Clearance Requirements

Ensure that the free space complies with Appendix VII, diagram 30 of guideline 94/20/EC. This includes maintaining specific clearances and angles as illustrated in the diagram.

Diagram: Clearance Specifications

A technical diagram illustrates required clearances and angles for the tow bar installation relative to the vehicle. It specifies minimum and maximum values for various dimensions and angles, and includes definitions related to vehicle weight ratings (e.g., gross vehicle weight, permissible total weight).

Definitions:

• D-Value: A calculated value based on vehicle and trailer weights, used to determine towing capacity.
• T: Maximum permissible weight of the towing vehicle (in kg).
• C: Maximum permissible weight of the trailer (in kg).
• S: Maximum vertical load (in kg).

Declaration of Correct Installation

A section for the installer to declare that the tow bar has been installed correctly according to the manufacturer's specifications and to inform the user about the product's use and maintenance.