2021 M3P OEM Tow Bar retrofit

[majeric]

Howdy folks!
Not sure if this is the correct place to to post up the info. Basically, i'm going down the route of installing the tesla OEM tow bar on my M3P.
Yes - the m3 is not homologate, but I won't be using it for towing, just for a bike rack.

I've managed to source:
* m3 tow bar (used) - £90
* tesla bag and swan neck (new) - £90
I've ordered these parts from Tesla - seems pretty reasonable in terms of cost - £70 odd

Part Name		Quantity	Price
ASY, TRAILER ECU,	1112581-00-A x1	1​	30.63​
NUT HF M10 PC10.	1047337-00-A x6	6​	2.4​
ASY,HARN,TRAILER JUMPER	1446560-02-A x1	1​	25.38​
NUT HF M6X1 0 10 PTM ZNNI	1116066-00-A x1	1​
NUT HF M5-0 8 10 G1009 B	1453854-00-A x3	3​
BOLT SO M5-0 8X27 88 G1009 B MAT ADH	1495257-00-A x6	6​	1.26​
			71.604​

The only sticking point is that i need "someone" to enable trailer mode on my car after the above has been fitted. I dont have access to toolbox to do so
Anyone in the UK that is able to assist with this? Electrics will work fine for the bike rack regardless. It would be nice for the car to "know",

All of the above is dependent on the grey plug being behind the bumper. I've tried to take a look, but there simply isn't enough space to check without taking the bumper off.
This is the plug i'm talking about.

 

[Durzel]

If it were me I'd be trying to ask a ranger if they'll do it when they're out to do something else. You're looking for someone with Toolbox 3 access otherwise, who might want to charge an arm and a leg.

 

[MrBadger]

Might be easier to attach to normal wiring like an ordinary tow bar install rather than trying to get official electrics/tow mode. Towing mode doesn’t bring anything to the party if you are not towing that I can see.

I would concentrate more on how the tow hitch attaches to the car. Unlike the Model Y, I think more is missing from the Model 3 structure than just swan neck and hitch which is why it had to be spec’d from the factory, and as an early adopter, entail the extra long wait for tow hitch cars.

 

[majeric]

If it were me I'd be trying to ask a ranger if they'll do it when they're out to do something else. You're looking for someone with Toolbox 3 access otherwise, who might want to charge an arm and a leg.

Thats interesting - i have nothing wrong with my car though!

 

[The_Cable_Guy]

as above i would imagine there is some form of framework over a non eqiupped tow car.

on a traditional aftermarket tow setup on other manufactuers there is normally a large metal framework that is bolted to the chassis.

this part:

GENUINE TESLA MODEL 3 Tow Bar 2017 Onwards 1137916-00-B | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for GENUINE TESLA MODEL 3 Tow Bar 2017 Onwards 1137916-00-B at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[majeric]

Might be easier to attach to normal wiring like an ordinary tow bar install rather than trying to get official electrics/tow mode. Towing mode doesn’t bring anything to the party if you are not towing that I can see.

I would concentrate more on how the tow hitch attaches to the car. Unlike the Model Y, I think more is missing from the Model 3 structure than just swan neck and hitch which is why it had to be spec’d from the factory, and as an early adopter, entail the extra long wait for tow hitch cars.

"ordinary" wiring for the m3 is quite intrusive....you have to cut into the wiring loom, which, in turn would void warranty. not something i want to do.

Your second point doesn't make sense - the westfalia kit for the m3p is exactly the same as the tesla oem kit (i'm talking the swan neck and the hitch itself).

 

[majeric]

as above i would imagine there is some form of framework over a non eqiupped tow car.

on a traditional aftermarket tow setup on other manufactuers there is normally a large metal framework that is bolted to the chassis.

this part:

GENUINE TESLA MODEL 3 Tow Bar 2017 Onwards 1137916-00-B | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for GENUINE TESLA MODEL 3 Tow Bar 2017 Onwards 1137916-00-B at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

Correct!

This is needed and what I’ve bought already.
Hardware is the tow bar frame (which replaces the rear cross bar) and the tow swan neck.

 

[MrBadger]

Your second point doesn't make sense - the westfalia kit for the m3p is exactly the same as the tesla oem kit (i'm talking the swan neck and the hitch itself).

The Westfalia kit and the strengthening of the body shell on tow cars are different I believe. The reason why Model 3’s could not be retrofitted. This is built in to all Model Y, hence it could be fitted at service centre. As told by Tesla as an excuse for extended delivery times of early cars so may be bollox or only applicable to early cars such as ours.

 

[Mr H]

I went aftermarket for my Towbar as Tesla are constantly out of stock, fitted it myself for a third of the price, i've towed my caravan a few times with no issues, it's just the rear USS (remember those) that go mad when i'm reversing. This is for MY though

You can get the aftermarket wiring kits separately on ebay

Towbar wiring kit 7-pin specific ›for TESLA Model 3 Hatchback 01.2017- NEW | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Towbar wiring kit 7-pin specific ›for TESLA Model 3 Hatchback 01.2017- NEW at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

If you're not bothered about the rear USS then forget tow mode

 

[majeric]

The Westfalia kit and the strengthening of the body shell on tow cars are different I believe. The reason why Model 3’s could not be retrofitted. This is built in to all Model Y, hence it could be fitted at service centre. As told by Tesla as an excuse for extended delivery times of early cars so may be bollox or only applicable to early cars such as ours.

I see your point, but it comes back to my first post - if the grey plug is there for the module, the car should be able to have the tow bar fitted (again, not for towing, just for a bike rack).

I did find this - MoreTesla.com

 

[majeric]

I went aftermarket for my Towbar as Tesla are constantly out of stock, fitted it myself for a third of the price, i've towed my caravan a few times with no issues, it's just the rear USS (remember those) that go mad when i'm reversing. This is for MY though

You can get the aftermarket wiring kits separately on ebay

Towbar wiring kit 7-pin specific ›for TESLA Model 3 Hatchback 01.2017- NEW | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Towbar wiring kit 7-pin specific ›for TESLA Model 3 Hatchback 01.2017- NEW at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

If you're not bothered about the rear USS then forget tow mode

i did look at after market wiring kits, but my concern is warranty and soldering into the harness.

I have USS, so might just live with the beeps for the moment.

 

[Mr H]

i did look at after market wiring kits, but my concern is warranty and soldering into the harness.

I have USS, so might just live with the beeps for the moment.

well mine has been in since for a replacement charge port and nothing was said

 

[MrBadger]

I see your point, but it comes back to my first post - if the grey plug is there for the module, the car should be able to have the tow bar fitted (again, not for towing, just for a bike rack).

I did find this - MoreTesla.com

Sounds like crossbeam 1137916-00-B is the bit that Tesla were telling me about. Looks to be around £500/600 on ebay.

 

[majeric]

Sounds like crossbeam 1137916-00-B is the bit that Tesla were telling me about. Looks to be around £500/600 on ebay.

thats what i have arriving tomorrow didn't spend that amount of it though!!

 

[majeric]

well mine has been in since for a replacement charge port and nothing was said

maybe its just my bad experience with main dealers - i try not to touch any existing cables in the car.

 

[majeric]

Just to make this thread clearer.

I've already bought:
Tow cross beam 1137916-00-B
Tow Swan Neck.

Just waiting on Tesla to tell me when i can pick up the electrical parts.
It should all be plug and play........assuming i have the grey plug behind the bumper!

 

[Big Dunc]

I am following this with interest so do post how it turns out. I am thinking of getting an M3 but need a tow bar. Being able to retro fit would give a much wider choice of cars.

 

[Bouba]

Just to make this thread clearer.

I've already bought:
Tow cross beam 1137916-00-B
Tow Swan Neck.

Just waiting on Tesla to tell me when i can pick up the electrical parts.
It should all be plug and play........assuming i have the grey plug behind the bumper!

Would a borescope help?

 

[Mr H]

I am following this with interest so do post how it turns out. I am thinking of getting an M3 but need a tow bar. Being able to retro fit would give a much wider choice of cars.

Bear in mind that it would be illegal to tow with a retrofit towbar on a M3

 

[Big Dunc]

I understand that it would not have type approval and the insurers would have to be aware, but I wasn’t asking about any of that, just like the OP made it clear he didn’t want to actually tow with it.
I am interested in whether it is a feasible DIY proposition at reasonable cost and whether all the electrics work as they should after.