To allow me to tow the Westie to track days, I'm looking into DIY installing a tow bar on my Leon.

I've found a few websites with clear how-to's for installing the actual bar, but haven't found anything on the electrics.

Has anyone had experience installing tow bar electrics? Is it just a case of scotch-locks onto the appropriate light feeds, or is it more complicated that that (feeds to under the bonnet)?

Has anyone seen/ got a how-to (even if generic)?

Thanks

Does the Leon have a connector in the boot near the lights for plugging in a tow bar?
If not then its just like you say, splice into the wires. Dead easy.

Unless it's can bus, you'll end up with errors.

It's a later Leon I assume?

No, it's an earlier one ... an 03 plate. Hopefully that makes things easier?

Jim, I'll have a dig around the boot, to see if there are any connectors, although I've not noticed any before. I was more worried about having to run feeds back from the battery (rather than a straight-forward plug-in at the back).

I've also heard that you need some sort of visual/ audible signal that the trailer lights are working?

Some you can just trace the wires from the light fitting and splice in, others, like my Vito have to use a seperate system, powered directly from the battery otherwise it borks the Engine Management doodab....apparently.

Either way it's not particulary difficult tbh, just a bit tricky sometimes with wire routing.

You should be able to splice in on one side to make wiring easy, go for the side with the fog lights if they are only on one light cluster, a reverse light is not a legal requirement.
Some car manufactures put a rubber grommet in to enable a wire to be passed through to the outside, if not you may have to drill and fit one yourself but again, it's not a big job.

Not sure if this is any help to you
http://www.simonranson.com/SeatLeonFR_towbar.htm

Many thanks Jim. That guide is very helpful.

I'm now just trying to establish whether I need a bypass relay kit or not. It appears not (the Leon hasn't got fancy bulb fault detectors or anything) ... but I've not yet managed to 100% confirm.

If not, fitting does look simple enough (as you say)

Have you got an electric kit Dave ? I'm assuming you only need single electrics ?

I remember that the last time i had a tow bar fitted in the uk the guy also fitted a reversing siren,bleep bleep etc.

Yes ... looking around, it seems that a bleeper of some sort is a requirement, and is on most of the kits, Joe

I just need a single socket, and after speaking to a fitter, it seems I can get away with one like Jim was describing (ie. no need for relay/ wiring to battery)

I've found a kit on eBay for £85, and the fitter quoted £190. It takes 2-3hrs as the bumper has to come off, and be trimmed. So I'm just contemplating whether its worth paying someone £100 for 2-3hrs work fitting it!!

I can get you a wiring diagram tomorrow if you are going to do it yourself. It will be for a universal kit so should be straight forward.

That would be fantastic. Thank you

I think I am going to DIY ... the saving is half a track day, after all!

http://www.fiatcoupeclub.org/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1363037#Post1363037

Hopefully that's where all this is leading to, Dave

I hope you have a license to tow Dave

You forget that I'm an old git, Chris

I passed my test in '93 ... so have BE by default

I've just checked his date of birth, it's true, he's incredibly old!

He seemed like a young jolly chap to me !!

These youngsters - some of us have had our licences ten years longer than him, and could have had it sooner had we actually needed a car...

It's all relative, Jim, Joe and Neil, its all relative