Towbars
Andy
Posts: 8,207
Right so i want to get a towbar fitted to my new car (did I mention I was getting a new car? 
) but have no idea about them. Using it for a bike rack only.
Do they change the ride of the car at all or presumably it should be totally unaffected? Also how much roughly will I be looking to pay or does it vary for each car? Are there better makes/types of towbar than others?
Anything else I should know?
) but have no idea about them. Using it for a bike rack only.Do they change the ride of the car at all or presumably it should be totally unaffected? Also how much roughly will I be looking to pay or does it vary for each car? Are there better makes/types of towbar than others?
Anything else I should know?
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Comments
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For a brand, look at Witter - http://www.witter-towbars.co.uk/ (you can also get an idea of the cost from their site)
Also, I'd recommend getting it fitted 'professionally' for piece of mind.
When I have 3 bikes on the back of the Cakemobile, it doesn't make much difference to the ride hight or handling.0 -
Yup the only down side is they do have to generally modify your bumper for it which can ruin the lines of a pretty car
But other wise i think its the best way to carry your bike outside of your car. stable and ooff the roof so it doesn't cause so much drag.0 -
El Capitano wrote:Also, I'd recommend getting it fitted 'professionally' for piece of mind.Thewaylander wrote:Yup the only down side is they do have to generally modify your bumper for it which can ruin the lines of a pretty car
I'd echo these comments. Bearing in mind that they're going to permanently fix this to your car, unless you don't really care, make sure it's a reputable company, and pay the extra if you have to.0 -
Had a towbar fitted to my Focus about three weeks ago, new bike rack arrived on tuesday
Hasnt made any difference to the way the car drives at all.
I would recomend getting one fitted proffesionally though, not just because it needs to be fitted securely but also the wiring (esp on more modern cars) would be a bit of a mare :shock:
Witter towbar with single light kit £240 (£110 parts + half a days labour).MTB's, SC Blur LTc & Cotic Soul (26" definitely aint dead!).
Other, Genesis Croix De Fer0 -
Thewaylander wrote:Yup the only down side is they do have to generally modify your bumper for it which can ruin the lines of a pretty car
Hmm I hope not. I've seen loads of cars with towbars and never seen one thats had that needed modifying. I'm not doing it if they have to do that!0 -
It depends on the towbar Andy. Some need a bumper cut, some don't.
My 3 needed a little cut underneath (out of sight) to take the westfalia removable bar, and required that they replace the entire rear crash structure with a westfalia version.
I had it done at Towequipe in Nuneaton.0 -
Andy wrote:Thewaylander wrote:Yup the only down side is they do have to generally modify your bumper for it which can ruin the lines of a pretty car
Hmm I hope not. I've seen loads of cars with towbars and never seen one thats had that needed modifying. I'm not doing it if they have to do that!
No modifications were required to the rear bumper of the Cakemobile.0 -
alot of bumpers have removable section ready for tow bars, but often that section of bumper can not be put back.0
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Alex wrote:It depends on the towbar Andy. Some need a bumper cut, some don't.
My 3 needed a little cut underneath (out of sight) to take the westfalia removable bar, and required that they replace the entire rear crash structure with a westfalia version.
I had it done at Towequipe in Nuneaton.
I have a detachable too, also needed a small bumper cut out of site. You can't tell, only thing that is visible is the electrics socket, but it doesn't really stick out and attract attention.
I went on the motorway with the bike on the back and it didn't alter the handling fo the car or slow me down....WIN
Ride it like you stole it!0 -
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I don't generally go over 90 anyway Ride it like you stole it!0
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No mods to the bumper on the Focus, but i have had to bolt a plate behind the towbar for the rack which does look fugly!
Depends on the car and the towbar when it comes to cutting the bumper i'm afraid. The more sporty the car (big rear bumper/valance) the more likely it will need cuttlng. plain old family hatch/estate less likely.MTB's, SC Blur LTc & Cotic Soul (26" definitely aint dead!).
Other, Genesis Croix De Fer0 -
iwant a tow bar on my FR.. then i saw what they would have to do to my precious
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Detachable...worth the extra 150 notes!!!Thewaylander wrote:iwant a tow bar on my FR.. then i saw what they would have to do to my preciousRide it like you stole it!0 -
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They were all cable-tied on as well as the straps. And TBH, I wouldn't have had to go that fast if someone driving a Ford Mondeo, who had the directions, hadn't sped off from the toll booth...0
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MissBint37 wrote:
Detachable...worth the extra 150 notes!!!Thewaylander wrote:iwant a tow bar on my FR.. then i saw what they would have to do to my precious
They have to remove bits of me body to do it though, as the car can have one but isn't raited to tow therefore my bumper isn't deseinged to have one its just for bike racks then. 0 -
El Capitano wrote:They were all cable-tied on as well as the straps. And TBH, I wouldn't have had to go that fast if someone driving a Ford Mondeo, who had the directions, hadn't sped off from the toll booth...
Toll booth? You mean the drag strip section of the midlands speedway?0 -
Alex wrote:El Capitano wrote:They were all cable-tied on as well as the straps. And TBH, I wouldn't have had to go that fast if someone driving a Ford Mondeo, who had the directions, hadn't sped off from the toll booth...
Toll booth? You mean the drag strip section of the midlands speedway? 0 -
Witter or Westfalia detachable are the ones to go for. I have the Westfalia which with the towbar detached is invisible unless you get on the floor to look underneath. The electrics swivel up out of site when not in use unlike the Witter version which is fixed in place.
Most places will charge you around £350 for a detachable supplied and fitted or try Towequipe for the supply only and you will pay around £210 for the towbar and fixings. They are quite simply to fit if you have the tools to do so.
Also think about what electrics you want fitting as 13 pin is getting more common and provides better connections too. You can always get adapters for 13 to 7 and visa versa.0 -
Looks like I may have to settle for a detachable with invisible cut...0
