Westfalia Tow Bar Installation and Operating Manual

Product Details

• Part Number: 314 496 600 001
• Vehicle Type: Opel Astra Caravan (A-H/SW)
• Approval Number: E13 55R-01 3811
• Class and Type: A50-X
• D-Value: 9.1 kN
• Max. Vertical Load (S): 75 kg
• Towing Capacity: Refer to vehicle registration document.

Parts List

Important Safety and General Instructions

General Warnings

• National guidelines concerning official approval of auxiliaries must be observed.
• Any alteration or modification of the towing hitch is prohibited and voids the operating licence.
• Remove insulating compound and underbody coating from the vehicle in the area around the contact surface of the trailer hitch.
• The trailer hitch is intended for towing trailers and for carrying loads. Any other use is prohibited.
• For vehicles with parking assistance systems, malfunctions may occur if parts of the tow bar (ball bar, coupling ball) are within the sensor range. Adjust the sensing range or disable the parking assistance system if necessary. This is less likely with removable or pivoting ball tow bars when the ball is not in the operating position.
• The tow bar is a safety-critical part 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.

Vehicle-Specific Clearance Requirements (ECE-R 55)

• Ensure clearance according to Appendix 7, Figures 25a and 25b of the ECE-R 55 directive.
• Clearance must be maintained relative to the vehicle's end points.
• Specific minimum and maximum dimensions are provided in diagrams (e.g., min. 75mm, max. 45°, min. 140mm, etc.).

Weight Specifications

• Maximum permissible vehicle weight must be considered.
• Towing capacity is determined by the vehicle's D-value and towing mass limits.
• D-Value calculation: D = (T x C) / (T + C) x 0.00981 kN, where T is the max. towing vehicle mass and C is the max. towing mass.

Installation Steps

Step 1: Preparation

• Locate mounting points on the vehicle's rear chassis.
• Access may require removing or lowering the bumper or underbody panels.

Step 2: Mounting the Main Bracket

• Attach the main tow bar bracket (Item 1) to the vehicle's chassis using specified bolts (e.g., M12x70).
• Ensure correct orientation as per diagrams.
• Torque bolts to specified values (e.g., M8 to 20 Nm, M10 to 40 Nm).

Step 3: Attaching Side Brackets

• Secure the side brackets (Item 3) to the chassis and main bracket using appropriate hardware (e.g., M8, M10 bolts).
• Ensure correct alignment.

Step 4: Installing the Tow Ball Assembly

• Attach the tow ball arm (Item 2) and tow ball assembly (Item 6) to the main bracket.
• Use specified bolts and washers (e.g., 13x24x2.5, M12).
• Torque the main tow ball mounting bolts to 95 Nm.

Step 5: Final Checks

• Verify all fasteners are securely tightened to the correct torque specifications.
• Ensure the tow bar is correctly positioned and does not interfere with vehicle systems.
• Check for adequate clearance around the tow ball.

Declaration of Correct Installation

• The installer declares that the tow bar has been installed correctly according to the manufacturer's instructions and vehicle specifications.
• The user must be informed about the use and maintenance of the tow bar.