Motorhome towbars

jrc4412
jrc4412 Forum Participant Posts: 4
edited February 2016 in Motorhomes #1

Hi everyone can someone help me ? I am lookig to fit a towbar on my swift sundance 2013 motorehome .

At the moment the cheapest i have found is aneyewatering  £700 job . This to me is a rip off in any ones language  hopefully  some one out there can help 

Yours jrc4412

Comments

  • rayjsj
    rayjsj Forum Participant Posts: 930
    500 Comments
    edited February 2016 #2

    My 2012 Autotrail coach built had to have a type approved towbar, I had a Witter, this cost 750 pounds, including fitting and like you I questioned the high cost, however it was explained to me that the towbar included substantial rear chassis strengthening
    pieces. I watched while the towbar was fitted, it took all morning at least 4 hours labour. I didn't feel ripped off. 

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited February 2016 #3

    We have a PWS tow bar fitted to our Bailey M/H it cost £600 3 years ago, worth it though not just as a tow bar but as added protection from rear end bump.

  • delboy24
    delboy24 Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited February 2016 #4

    We also had our tow bar on our autotrail fitted by PWS at poole 2yrs ago for £600 but it did not have to have chasiss exstentions,but did have   to have the rear steadys re positioned,We had full protecion bar,a company i would recommend.Hope this is some
    help GOOD LUCK'Smile

  • Grumblewagon
    Grumblewagon Forum Participant Posts: 246
    edited February 2016 #5

    My van's previous owner had a Witter towbar fitted.  The fitting was OK, but the electrics were a complete mess and have to be re-wired.  Unfortunately this mess was hidden and I only discovered it because the towing relay wasn't attached and rattled when
    driving.

    Wherever you get the work done,  check the hidden work such as the wiring before you pay.

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2016 #6

    the 'type approval' that Ray mentions can be a pain.....i read somewhere that with MH now being 'whole type approved' only a 'type approved' towbar can be fitted....presumably otherwise the vehicle loses its "whole type approval" status.....though i dont
    know why this is badUndecided (warranty??) but it certainly cuts down on customer choice....

  • rayjsj
    rayjsj Forum Participant Posts: 930
    500 Comments
    edited February 2016 #7

    the 'type approval' that Ray mentions can be a pain.....i read somewhere that with MH now being 'whole type approved' only a 'type approved' towbar can be fitted....presumably otherwise the vehicle loses its "whole type approval" status.....though i dont know why this is badUndecided (warranty??) but it certainly cuts down on customer choice....

    Write your comments here...BB, this is no difference from cars now, maintaining Type approval affects many things, insurance,warranty, public liability etc., but I agree it cuts down choice and usually increases prices. As most new M/H 's have Can- bus electronic systems, diy electrics are out, it must be a custom made wiring loom, for a specific type of vehicle. More extra cost.

  • QFour
    QFour Forum Participant Posts: 442
    edited February 2016 #8

    It's a very specialised job fitting one. When you look at the overhangs that are involved and the forces exerted on the tow bar and supports it's not surprising that they cost an arm and a leg to have fitted. You would be the first to complain if it damaged
    your MH or caused an accident. Anything that has MH stamped on it is expensive bit like SAILING
    Laughing

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2016 #9

    On the principle of "What goes up (motorcaravan towbar) must come down (Tail of trailer)" I'm not sure that the rear overhang on a motor caravan can promote a safe towing situation, no mater how much the motor caravan chassis is strengthened.

  • rayjsj
    rayjsj Forum Participant Posts: 930
    500 Comments
    edited March 2016 #10

    On the principle of "What goes up (motorcaravan towbar) must come down (Tail of trailer)" I'm not sure that the rear overhang on a motor caravan can promote a safe towing situation, no mater how much the motor caravan chassis is strengthened.

    Write your comments here...Not all motorhomes have to have their chassis strengthened, those with Alko chassis certainly do not. But those with converter designed chassis extensions do, as they were not designed for towing heavy loads. My Witter type approved towbar had a relatively low tow limit of 1060 kg, which scuppered any chance of towing my car on a trailer, and I had to tow it on an A-Frame, to stay legal, in the UK. Type approval of the towbar ensured that the relatively weak chassis extension was NOT overloaded.

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