I need a tow bar - haven't got a single clue!

petertr
petertr Forum Participant Posts: 199
edited March 2016 in Towcars & Towing #1

Hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

Having just sold my MH, we're after a caravan - but we'll be needing a tow bar of course.



The car is a 2013 Seat Exeo - which is a re-badged previous model Audi A4.

I haven't got any knowledge on what I need at all, beyond someone mentioning that you can get "bespoke or generic" models, and also that some are removeable.

 

Please help me! :)

Comments

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #2

    How deep are your pockets? The best place to ask would be at your local tow bar specialist where he'll be able to show you what's available. Manufactures like Bosal, Brink & Westfalia are those fitted as original equipment by car manufactures and then there are the also rans like Witter & towsure that are aftermarket towbars. There are 2 bolt flange bars that tend to be the cheapest bars, look ugly as sin but have the option of being able to bolt cycle carriers etc to them. There are fixed swan neck bars ...... as the name suggests and then detachable bars that look the best ie you can't see them when you've removed it & put it in the boot, but are generally the most expensive. 

    Electrics come as the older style black & grey ie 12N & 12S sockets or the newer, better 13 pin sockets.

  • DougS
    DougS Forum Participant Posts: 327
    edited March 2016 #3

    Personally, we went to a local specialist (I can give you the name as it's in Durham)

    Dealers usually outsource anyway and "factory fit" often means no fridge or power connections which UK caravans need.

    We just got a bolt on flange bar as it's more versatile and cheaper but you decide what you want.

    All tow bars have to be tested and type approved to EU standards.

    For an agreed price they fitted the tow bar, 13 pin socket (for recent caravans - check what you will need but probably best to have this modern, more reliable socket?)

    AND they fitted a manufacturer specific wiring kit plus did all the reprogramming.

    Make sure you ask them to wire it up for fridge and ATC power in case you have these features (you probably will but would be sensible to ensure tow bar wiring is complete)

    I wouldn't use anyone who said you would have to take it to a dealer to have the programming done as it's perfect for starting a blame game if anything goes wrong.

    Make ONE company responsible and get a minimum 2 year warranty (you have to take it back for checking).

  • Settermum
    Settermum Forum Participant Posts: 127
    First Comment
    edited March 2016 #4

    Hi petertr, your local specialist would be Hedleys. They're on Dragonville industrial estate Durham. They come out to your home to do the work. Look them up on google, we are changing our car this week and we'll be using them too.

  • Colin51
    Colin51 Forum Participant Posts: 18
    edited March 2016 #5

    I'd also recommend Hedleys, they do a while you wait service at Dragonville, took about an hour.

  • redsettercamping
    redsettercamping Forum Participant Posts: 10
    edited March 2016 #6

    Agree with settermum & colin51 - we used Hedley's at Dragonville Durham. They match your car to correct towbar. Fit while you wait - I just popped over to the tesco and had a coffee in the cafe. Only took about an hour. would highly recommend. I'm about to change my car, and will use them again.

  • petertr
    petertr Forum Participant Posts: 199
    edited March 2016 #7

    Hedley's is the winner then - thanks a lot.  Just up the road from me.



    Really appreciate the responses, thanks :)

  • Nuggy
    Nuggy Forum Participant Posts: 512
    edited March 2016 #8

    When you contact the fitters, ask about another towbar maker called Tow Trust, their tow bars are meant to have a better quality rust protection surface. You can read about it on the Tow Trust website. Don't forget to ask for an Alko tow ball (they might even take the black paint off the ball for you)  and a facility to clip your Breakaway cable to. Write a list of your requirements on a bit of paper and take it with you, or you might forget to mention one item when placing your order.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #9

    We have always used Witter and they have been problem free.

  • HarleyDave
    HarleyDave Forum Participant Posts: 150
    edited March 2016 #10

    Witter on my car fitted at dealers and 5 year warranty included

  • KENNYG
    KENNYG Forum Participant Posts: 215
    100 Comments
    edited March 2016 #11

    Witter towbar fitted with swaneck removable, thirteen pin socket what price can you put on anything when you have a thirty thousand plus pound car and a twenty  thousand pound plus caravan I think it cost about six hundred pounds. 

  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #12

    But all new towbars have to meet an EU spec.  Witters good but not the only ones.

  • HarleyDave
    HarleyDave Forum Participant Posts: 150
    edited March 2016 #13

    Yes,I had a Thule/Brink on my last car.I always have whatever make tow bar the car manufacturer supplies.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #14

    But all new towbars have to meet an EU spec.  Witters good but not the only ones.

    True but I have stuck with them as they have served me well and the fitting company is excellent here.

  • petertr
    petertr Forum Participant Posts: 199
    edited March 2016 #15

    Went up to headly's earlier today and got a price

    - Removable Towbar with Single (new) electrics

    - SEAT Dedicated wiring

    - New single to Old Dual electrics converter

    £540

    Does that sound about right?

  • DougS
    DougS Forum Participant Posts: 327
    edited March 2016 #16

    Went up to headly's earlier today and got a price

    - Removable Towbar with Single (new) electrics

    - SEAT Dedicated wiring

    - New single to Old Dual electrics converter

    £540

    Does that sound about right?

    If you want another price, try Auto Mobile at Seaham 0191581 5777 if they are still there. We used them 4 yrs ago and found the fitting good they dealt with all recoding which I don't recall Hedleys doing at that time. Similar system with fixed bar for S-Max at £392 (but that was then!)

    Only other point is that adapters can be problematic due to multiple extra connections.  If keeping van, may be worth getting quote to get two cables into 1 x 13 pin plug (I think there are special ones that allow this?). IMHO, likely to be much more reliable and you won't have all of that extra cable/sockets to contend with?

  • petertr
    petertr Forum Participant Posts: 199
    edited March 2016 #17

    Auto Mobile became A19 Caravans I think?  If so, they don't do Towbars anymore, he sold that part of the business a few years back.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582 ✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments Photogenic
    edited March 2016 #18

    Went up to headly's earlier today and got a price

    - Removable Towbar with Single (new) electrics

    - SEAT Dedicated wiring

    - New single to Old Dual electrics converter

    £540

    Does that sound about right?

    I got quotes for my Mazda 6. Best quote was £450 but shopping around did save money.

  • petertr
    petertr Forum Participant Posts: 199
    edited April 2016 #19

    Got this done today at Headley's.  Lovely job, cannot see the towbar at all.

    I actually thought there had been a problem preventing them from actually fitting it at first.

    Expensive, but looks quality.

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