Car TowBar fitting - Advice please!

[chouglez]

Now that the kids are able to ride their bikes, I started looking for who could install a tow bar so this kind of bike rack could be fitted as it's easy to access the boot if need be. Did not know a) the price would be so high to fit one b) the back bumper needs taking off etc to fit the tow bar.

Can anyone over here help me advice what would be the best or alternative way to ensure our bikes could go along when we are out and above?

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Mr Bump]

I think the thing is with a tow bar is it will be a full fat version capable of towing all sorts not just popping bikes.

I used to have tow bars on my cars years ago for diving boats and ribs and it was an easy £250 then for a basic one.
Also depends if you need lights pass through plugs etc.

 

[LongLensPhotography]

I think the thing is with a tow bar is it will be a full fat version capable of towing all sorts not just popping bikes.

I used to have tow bars on my cars years ago for diving boats and ribs and it was an easy £250 then for a basic one.
Also depends if you need lights pass through plugs etc.

You could go that route and yes the cost will be at least that. If you have a Passat you will have lots and lots of fun and long hours doing it. Other cars will give up a lot easier.

Modern cars typically have an option to install dedicated towbar wire pack to the ECU, which is far easier to do than manual fiddling with all the wires. With an auto box and heavier trailer this is the only way to go.

 

[Peter B]

The Witter website is a good starting point for finding out costs. Just put in your reg number and it will give you options for the different types of towbar they sell, and these are the fully fitted costs. https://www.witter-towbars.co.uk/

 

[Nikon Ken]

An alternative to tow bar mounted rack would be a roof rack. That's what I use. I use my tow bar to tow a caravan.

 

[chouglez]

An alternative to tow bar mounted rack would be a roof rack. That's what I use. I use my tow bar to tow a caravan.

Thanks for the alternative advice mate. Would you provide details about the roof rack please?

Cheers

 

[chouglez]

The Witter website is a good starting point for finding out costs. Just put in your reg number and it will give you options for the different types of towbar they sell, and these are the fully fitted costs. https://www.witter-towbars.co.uk/

Thanks for the link mate. Coming up close to a grand for a tow bar [emoji853]
I don't wish to install a gold plated one [emoji4]

 

[the black fox]

if your just having a towbar fitted to put a bike rack on you might not need electrics if you car lights and number plate are visible .that should be a basic fit and fairly cheap ,even if it's just a single black plug for a rear light board it's not expensive it's once you get into twin or 13 pin electrics and relays the cost goes up .i had one ( my own privately bought ) towbar with twin electrics fitted to my Volvo S60 and it was £102 at a local towbar centre .my advise would be to ring round loads as a lot will just quote the highest price.
Unfortunately you live in a rip off part of the u.k .with high prices for everything

 

[Peter B]

Thanks for the link mate. Coming up close to a grand for a tow bar [emoji853]
I don't wish to install a gold plated one [emoji4]

I was interested in buying a Passat last year and tried to negotiate a towbar as part of the deal. I was told that the towbar would be about £1200 as it had to be linked into the car's stability control electronics, so that was a lot more than the £500 I was expecting it to cost. I can see the attraction of linking it into the car's stability control, but it can become a considerable amount of money.

 

[onomatopoeia]

Depending on how old your vehicle is, have a look at Watling engineers. They do kits for almost any vehicle you can think of, though you would have to fit it yourself.

 

[Nikon Ken]

Thanks for the alternative advice mate. Would you provide details about the roof rack please?

Cheers

This link to Halfords shows a range.

I have got the Thule ProRide 598. I already had the roof bars, so fitting was easy and can be removed when not in use.

I find the rack very stable and easy to load. The bikes are locked to the rack.

Ebay may produce a cheaper price or even a second-hand
rack.

Good Luck.

 

[F1.2]

I fit towbars on my own cars , its not that dificult , All tow bars come with fitting instructions , Basic tool kit and a drill with a cone cutter

My last towbar kit was £100 off eBay , having one fitted by a mobile fitter , they wanted £350

 

[onomatopoeia]

I fit towbars on my own cars , its not that dificult , All tow bars come with fitting instructions , Basic tool kit and a drill with a cone cutter

I did that on the Quattro, with a kit from Watling that I mentioned above. Fairly straightforward, though there were occasions where a second pair of hands would be helpful.

 

[LongLensPhotography]

I was interested in buying a Passat last year and tried to negotiate a towbar as part of the deal. I was told that the towbar would be about £1200 as it had to be linked into the car's stability control electronics, so that was a lot more than the £500 I was expecting it to cost. I can see the attraction of linking it into the car's stability control, but it can become a considerable amount of money.

Depending on year this is the one you need and only if you tow something big as caravan and your box is DSG http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-GENUI...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
p.s. the link is not mine

That's hardly going to push you over £500.