Q4 M3 deliveries with Tow Bar - problems?

[JonB]

Got mine yesterday, delivered by a mobile service technician, who said he'd bought a bunch of them along, in case there was a fitting issue. So I surmise the underlying cause of the delay is a bad batch which didn't fit properly - which, with this locking design, would mean the lock might not close properly, and there would be a subsequent risk that the hook could come loose in use. Or, in other words, "a disaster waiting to happen"!

Only took 'em three months...

 

[MrBadger]

Are the newer ones still the Westfalia (sp?) vertical hitch as supplied with the Fremont built cars or are MiC using something else?

 

[JonB]

Westfalia.

 

[Rustybkts]

Very worrying that any of these tow hitches left the manufacturer with an alleged fault!
On the Model 3 the nose weight of the trailer is pushing in the direction the hitch is removed and its worse on the Y as it is horizontal and the trailer will actually pull the hitch in the direction it is removed.
The design is very well proven but it does make you wonder and having seen the motorised tow hitch on the Westfalia site, it would have been nice to have had one of those instead.

 

[MrBadger]

Very worrying that any of these tow hitches left the manufacturer with an alleged fault!

The design is very well proven

Yes. It seems odd that, if it was a genuine Westfalia part, it was causing issues... Its not like Westfalia are new to the game.

 

[BlueM3SR]

I have appointment in mid March for mobile service to bring the tow bar… let’s see if it arrives!
3 months without bike carrier - not really great service

I got mine booked with the same promise. Which date is yours? Mine is the 24th

 

[TallPaul]

Think its next week some time, need to check that actually to make sure the Mrs does not disapear with the car!

 

[BlueM3SR]

Think its next week some time, need to check that actually to make sure the Mrs does not disapear with the car!

Did you get the tow bar in the end?

 

[TallPaul]

So when I collected in November they actually gave me a tow bar just before I left when I asked, then phonesd and said I can’t use it.

Mobile service came last week and fitted the one I was given, declared it fine and left in 10 minutes. Why could they have not done that 4 months ago?!

Not used it yet, but yes all setup now. Mobile service had “a few to try” in the back of the car.

 

[BatteryPowered]

Mobile service came out and did mine last week too. Service man seemed to have trouble at first with it failing to lock, and then struggling to remove it. However, after a couple of insert/removal cycles it seems fine. I've given it a go myself and no problems. Certainly feels 'solid'.
I did ask if he knew anything about the original problem, but he didn't share any insider news with me.