After-market towbar fitting

[DIJ999]

The one feature my second-hand Macan doesn’t have that I want is a towbar. I am happy to fit any of the various choices that are available for the physical towbar itself but I am looking for information regarding the electrics. Are the electrical connections universally present for the trailer socket, only needing extending to the socket itself? Or do they need to be created de novo? How easy is it to program the system to recognise when the trailer is present so rear proximity sensors are not affected? Is that a main dealer event or does the connection of a trailer plug into the cars trailer socket automatically achieve that?
Regards

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[W1NGE]

The one feature my second-hand Macan doesn’t have that I want is a towbar. I am happy to fit any of the various choices that are available for the physical towbar itself but I am looking for information regarding the electrics. Are the electrical connections universally present for the trailer socket, only needing extending to the socket itself? Or do they need to be created de novo? How easy is it to program the system to recognise when the trailer is present so rear proximity sensors are not affected? Is that a main dealer event or does the connection of a trailer plug into the cars trailer socket automatically achieve that?
Regards

Get your Porsche dealer to install - around £2K - pricey, I know!

The car should already have the pre-installation ("Preparation for towbar system) in place. What's not clear if this includes the electrics - I assume so.

Very few Macan's have the towbar factory fitted which is frustrating. I've asked previously for the Macan EV pricing and the dealer quoted around £2K for the electric deploying hitch (could be more). Annoying since it's a 1K option!

Cost is therefore labour (£££) and the electric towbar (if that's what you want (I'd recommend and have it) (£££).

When dealer fitted the trailer option appears on the dash to denote when installed, restricts the opening of the rear hatch if something is attached to the hitch and the Park Assist option is also taken care of.

Not. a lot of help really but personally I would ask the dealer to do it to avoid any issues (warranty etc).

 

[Frankie]

Last month, I also inquired with the dealer here in the Netherlands about having a towbar fitted. They told me that they can also install the factory-fitted towbar. So, fully electric, just as it is installed at the factory. The cost is €3,638.00 including VAT.

 

[MatC21]

Seems reasonable. When I specced my car my dealer said it will be twice the price when retrofitting. I still didnt get it cause I really don’t have any use for it.

 

[atebit]

I just paid $2400USD to have the factory hitch added to the service loaner I purchased. List price is a bit more but I was able to negotiate them down as part of the purchase. One reason it’s so expensive is the rear bumper has to come off so they have to recalibrate all those sensors. The trailer controller’s also integrated into (I assume) the CANBUS, so when you plug in the trailer wiring harness the car goes into “Trailer Mode”. This disables the rear sensors so you’re not constantly getting alerts while trailering. A side effect is you also lose all the guidance lines on the camera display, which would really come in handy for hooking up.

So due to the integrations I would suggest getting the OEM kit vs what the UK equivalent of U-Haul would set you up with.

Also, see this thread to learn about the part Porsche expects you to purchase separately in order to actually use the trailer wiring.

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