Towbar options - Leon ST FR Sport 2018

[NeilP72]

Hi
First Seat and first post. Hopefully I don't break any forum rules here. If so, apologies.
I've searched here/elsewhere and read quite a bit, but am not sure the model versions discussed are the same as mine.

Just picked up a 2018 (reg: Nov 2018) one of these. Now I need to add a towbar.
I'm struggling to understand, regardless of fixed/detachable, whether the bumber on this specific model/age combo needs to be cut visibly or not.

I've called a few companies and I get conflicting answers about no cuts vs cuts underneath/on face of bumper, etc
Possibly this is because the rear bumper is not the same on this variant as on the 2012-2017 ST FR variant, and the towbar fitters haven't got that distinction in their reference books.

My car already has a kind of central recess in the lower part of the rear bumper when you look at it, and a cutout on the underside (where you can see some of the cross bar that I think you remove and replace with the towbar version). I don't think the pre-2018 variants have this same bumper style.

Also, anyone got any advice on whether I can get away with a fixed towbar (much cheaper) and avoid parking sensor issues? Parking sensors are pretty high up, towbar looks like it'd be quite far below these.

Does anyone have any experience or have a towbar fitted on one of these to advise me?

Thanks in advance, Neil

(not sure if the pics below visible or not - if not will try another way)

 

[andye1]

Try PF Jones website. I had my witter removable tow bar from them for my 2016 st fr as that only needed an invisible cut under the bumper. I'm sure they do various ones for the later st with the bumper like yours. Also I found them to be one of the cheapest suppliers.

 

[NeilP72]

Thanks. I'll have a look at what they offer and give them a call.
Out of interest, did you fit it yourself or use a 3rd party? Not sure I'm up to the electrical side of setting up a towbar, but can try and read up. Possibly I can find a local fitter that'll supply the same setup once I know which works best.

 

[andye1]

I fitted it myself including running the wiring into the boot then took it to an auto electrician to wire in the universal relay to the rear lights. Tow bar and wiring job cost me just under £300. Seat quoted around £850 to supply, fit, wire in with dedicated loom and code all functions. I only use it for a bike rack so went with universal relay.

 

[NeilP72]

That's really useful info. Thanks.
I am using for bike rack only as well, so that approach sounds good.

 

[Maypack]

I’ve bought and had fitted a number of tow bars from a company called hedleys of County Durham. They are very knowledgable and can fit at your home (Newcastle to Cumbria area) as well as supply only.

http://www.hedley-towbars.co.uk/products.asp?cat=SEAT+LEON

Worth a look and a call.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Conal]

Lots of information in this thread though you may have to search to find your particular model. Another vote for Hedleys of Durham from me. They fitted my towcar 5 years ago, couldn’t have been better.
Conal
https://forums.seatcupra.net/index.php?threads/leon-st-fr-tow-bar-anyone.408119/

 

[NeilP72]

Thanks all.
I spoke to Tow Trust today about their options. Most helpful company I've dealt with on this, way better than Seat, and have found a bar that requires no cuts (or at most a small cut underneath) for my variant. Apparently I have a 'shelf bumper'.

This is a fixed Swan neck which works for me as massively cheaper than detachable. For anyone stumbling on this thread in the future, model number is TVW623SN

Also found TopFit towbar fitters who will come to me in Bristol and supply and fit with vehicle specific electrics and coding.

Fingers crossed. Will report back once all done.

 

[Rooster]

Here's a little story, back in 2007 i ran a leased Golf Mk5 GT to which i fitted a Witter VW49Q detachable towbar, that got taken off before the car went back. Next car was a Golf Mk6 GT and after numerous enquiries was told this car needed Witter VW64Q. Being an inquisitive type i removed the bumper to see what the difference was, basically none, it fitted exactly the same as on the MK5. This was again removed before the car went back. It now resides on my 2014 Leon ST, so i think i have had my moneys worth! I wired in a bypass relay in each case which works fine apart from the rear parking sensors, but i only use the towbar for a tip run trailer and a cycle carrier. Mine has the old style bumper and i managed to a cut out on the horizontal part of the bumper, so you can't see it from the rear, and a swivel down socket.