westfalia bolt on tow ball stolen!

[hedgefinder]

Hi,
someone stole the westfalia tow bar ball section from the back of the wifes VW Sharan the other week.
Thinking that as its a bolt on part it should be a cheap and easy fix I contacted westfalia who told me that they will not supply the bolt on tow bar section and that I would have to buy an entire new towbar kit from them!
I told them in no uncertain terms that I would never have another Westfalia towbar fitted to any future vehicle i own.

Does anyone know anywhere I mighty be able to get a tow hitch to fit ?
If I go to a local engineering firm and have one made up would I require a certificate of any kind for it? Just concerned about insurance and the fact it may at some point tow a rather expensive car trailer ..

[italianjob1275]

Tow bars made since 2000 ish need to be type approved I believe.

Is it just the ball (with the two holes on a little flange)? If so most caravan/ trailer shops will sell them.

[Watchman]

Crikey, that's a really rough policy. My wife's ML has a Westfalia removeable towbar. Was yours locked? I don't think I can remove the key from ours if it's not locked.

Can't help sourcing one but appreciate your anger with them.

[hedgefinder]

its the common westfalia 2 bolt swan neck type, not just a standard tow ball or a removable one.

[Happy82]

Can you contact a company that sells their towing options and request the part from them? Might be a bit easier than asking Westfalia directly.

[abbotsmike]

Happy82 said:

Can you contact a company that sells their towing options and request the part from them? Might be a bit easier than asking Westfalia directly.

I would think this may work.
I recently bought a towbar for my ibiza with a westfalia wiring kit. The socket cover snapped on the first use (guess it was a dodgy moulding) and the retailer sent me a replacement straight away, that they ordered in from westfalia.

Retailer was towequipe, if I'm allowed to say so! Very helpful bunch.

[hedgefinder]

Happy82 said:

Can you contact a company that sells their towing options and request the part from them? Might be a bit easier than asking Westfalia directly.

already tried, the local company said that westfalia wouldnt supply them with just the towball they knew this as they had tried to in the past, they only sell it to them as a full tow bar kit.
I know you can buy the electrics parts seperately.

[abbotsmike]

hedgefinder said:

already tried, the local company said that westfalia wouldnt supply them with just the towball they knew this as they had tried to in the past, they only sell it to them as a full tow bar kit.
I know you can buy the electrics parts seperately.

I don't know if Bosal would supply spares, but if you measure the distance between the two holes on your bracket, and between the two plates, then I can compare it to my Bosal detachable, may be compatible??

Like this: http://www.towbarsdirect.co.uk/images/Swanneck%20T...

[hedgefinder]

abbotsmike said:

I don't know if Bosal would supply spares, but if you measure the distance between the two holes on your bracket, and between the two plates, then I can compare it to my Bosal detachable, may be compatible??

Like this: http://www.towbarsdirect.co.uk/images/Swanneck%20T...

Hi thanks for that, it might, but would alos depend on the angle and positioning of the ball I would think.
I will measure up today at some point, thanks.

[Watchman]

hedgefinder said:

its the common westfalia 2 bolt swan neck type, not just a standard tow ball or a removable one.

Ahah, that's a similar system to my Witter one then. Non-removeable and two bolts securing the towball to the main assembly.

Sounds like an opportunity for another manufacturer to supply.

[B16JUS]

ebay ? you may be lucky finding someone selling what you need

[StuartGGray]

hedgefinder said:

Hi,
someone stole the westfalia tow bar ball section from the back of the wifes VW Sharan the other week.
Thinking that as its a bolt on part it should be a cheap and easy fix I contacted westfalia who told me that they will not supply the bolt on tow bar section and that I would have to buy an entire new towbar kit from them!
I told them in no uncertain terms that I would never have another Westfalia towbar fitted to any future vehicle i own.

Does anyone know anywhere I mighty be able to get a tow hitch to fit ?
If I go to a local engineering firm and have one made up would I require a certificate of any kind for it? Just concerned about insurance and the fact it may at some point tow a rather expensive car trailer ..

I can't help, but good luck. I must remember to give Westfalia products the cold shoulder.

[B Huey]

Try these Germans, they sell all kinds of Westfalia stuff new and used and will post to the UK.

www.vwbusshop.de

You can translate the site to English by clicking on the flag in the top corner.

[Lunablack]

B16JUS said:

ebay ? you may be lucky finding someone selling what you need

Probably end up buying the original one back...

[Portuguy]

Hi months later, did you have luck finding the tow ball, and where did you get it eventually? Oh and the price ??
Thanks ( in almost the same situation)

[hedgefinder]

nope, never foudn anyone willing to sell the ball seperate.. still got no towball...

[ColinM50]

Not sure if this is the right part.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Westfalia-Detachable-Tow...

Tenner on Ebay

[hedgefinder]

ColinM50 said:

Not sure if this is the right part.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Westfalia-Detachable-Tow...

Tenner on Ebay

no, thats a removable tow bar section, we are discussing the bolt on section of a normal westfalia towball hitch.