Towbar Installers Near Me for cars, commercial vehicles and motorhomes
The growing need for vehicle versatility has led many drivers to search for trusted towbar installers near me. A quality towbar not only makes everyday work easier but also adds great convenience for leisure activities.
Whether you’re towing a caravan, horsebox, or boat, or transporting bicycles and trailers, we have the right towbar for your needs. As expert towbar installers, we specialise in OE (Original Equipment) accessories, helping you keep your car as close to its original standard as possible.
As trusted towbar installers near me, we supply Westfalia, Brink, ORIS, Tow Trust, Witter, and PCT towbars. Using the latest diagnostics, we deliver factory-standard installations at a fraction of dealership costs.
Please contact us with your vehicle details and requirements and we can advise on the best towbar and electric solution for you and your load!
Options include:
Detachable towbars
Car manufacturers spend significant time perfecting the design of their vehicles, and a fixed towbar can sometimes disrupt that symmetry. Detachable towbars, however, are designed to be removed easily when not in use, preserving the car’s original look as intended by the manufacturer. They also offer practical advantages — they won’t obscure low-mounted number plates or cause inconvenience when moving around the vehicle. For a professional fitting, rely on expert towbar installers near me to ensure the perfect balance of style and function.
Get reliable and professional towbar installers near me for safe and expert fitting in the UK.
Detachable towbar systems differ slightly by manufacturer, but the concept remains the same: the removable tow-ball neck is inserted into its housing from below and secured with an anti-theft lock. The neck can be easily removed and stored in the supplied bag, while the rotating electric sockets stay hidden behind the bumper. This makes the towbar completely invisible when not in use. For expert fitting and advice, rely on our trusted towbar installers near me for a seamless installation.
Retractable Towbars
The retractable towbar is a smart alternative to detachable systems. With its innovative swivel mechanism, the towbar and electrics can be tucked neatly under the bumper at the pull of a handle, while still remaining easily accessible. This design keeps the towbar ready for use at all times, without the need to remove the neck from the car. For expert fitting, our trusted towbar installers near me ensure a seamless and professional installation.
Fixed ‘Flange’ Towbar
The flange ball towbar is the most widely available towbar. It is the most suitable towbar for heavy-duty towing and is therefore recommended for commercial and off-road vehicles. The design can vary from a two- to a four-hole fixing (height adjustable) depending on the car type.
This type of fixing allows you to tow and carry cycles at the same time, fit bumper shields, AL-KO towballs, towing couplings and a range of other accessories.
Fixed Swan Neck Towbar
The permanently attached towbar is usually the most affordable option and fits most vehicles. With its sleek neck design, it looks more appealing and reduces parking sensor issues. For expert fitting, rely on trusted towbar installers near me for safe and professional installation.
Towing electrics
We recommend installing dedicated towbar elecrics kits due the increasing complexity of vehicle electronic systems. These vehicle specific systems interface and communicate directly with the vehicle’s management systems. This enables the manufacturer’s towing safety features (i.e Trailer Stability Program or TSP), now present in todays modern motor vehicle to function. A wide range of 7 & 13 pin kits are available and dignostic coding is also completed.
By-pass electrics are also available but are not recommended for later vehicles with complex electronic systems are the towing electrics are hidden from the car meaning the vehicle does not know it is towing.
We can install towbars and cycle carriers to most hybrid and electric EV vehicles. Standard 50mm towbars can be fitted if the vehicle is homologated to tow (check the VIN plate in the door sill for your towing weight), cycle carriers are normally available if the vehicle does not have a towing weight.
A towbar is one of the most important accessories you can purchase when it comes to safety. Such a specialised installation should always be handled by experienced professionals using the correct tools and diagnostics—never attempt DIY! Trust our expert towbar installers near me to deliver a safe and reliable fitting every time.
Leisure Accessories
We are also Thule dealers and can offer advice and competitive prices for cycle carriers, roof bars and roof boxes.
We have a wide range of products available to view in our showroom, with our friendly sales team always on hand to advise you on the best solution for your vehicle. For expert fitting and guidance, trust our professional towbar installers near me to ensure the perfect setup every time.
Leisure Accessories
We are also Thule dealers and can offer advice and competitive prices for cycle carriers, roof bars and roof boxes.
We have products to view in our showroom and one of our sales team are always on hand to give you advice on the best solution for your vehicle.
Visit our gallery for more photos of our own installs
FAQs
Do I need to inform my insurance company if I have a towbar fitted?
Yes, a towbar is classed as a vehicle modification and you will need to inform your insurance company if you have a towbar fitted.
Is a towbar checked on an MOT?
Yes, the MOT tester will check that the towbar is secure, in good condition and has no inappropriate repairs or modifications. They will also check the electrical socket is working correctly, ensuring that it activates the trailer parking lights, brake lights, indicators and rear fog lights
What type of towbar is best for my car?
We offer a range of towbars including fixed towbars, detachable towbars, retractable towbars and height adjustable towbars. When you contact us for a price, we will advise the best solutions available, depending on your vehicle make and model, and what you will be towing with the vehicle.
What electrics do I need?
This depends on what you are towing. There are 3 types of towing electric sockets to choose from depending on your personal preference and towing needs.
– Single 7 pin electrics (12N towing electrics) – usually for small trailers, horseboxes, trailer boards and some cycle carriers.
– Twin 7 pin electrics (a combination of 12N and 12S towing electrics) – usually for older style caravans (pre 2008)
– Single 13 pin electrics – this is the most modern style of towing socket and is used for modern caravans (post 2008) and some cycle carriers
We recommend vehicle specific towing electrics. These dedicated kits work in coordination with the vehicles existing electrical system allowing it to run as functional as it was intended to by the manufacturer.
Why do I need vehicle specific towbar electrics?
The advantage of a dedicated wiring kit is that the vehicle will know when you are towing and will automatically adjust the following systems (only if the vehicle has them): Brake electronics, engine electronics, cruise control or ACC, parking sensors, reversing cameras, lane change assist, suspension and engine cooling.
Can I fit my own towbar?
Fitting your own towbar can have both safety and legal implications. Fitting a towbar requires removal of the bumper, stripping out interior trims and panels, drilling holes in the chassis and cutting the bumper (on some vehicles). It also requires complex electrical connections and wiring, along with coding. For this reason, we recommend towbars are only fitted by professionals with the correct knowledge, tools and coding equipment.
Will my bumper need cutting?
Due to the design of modern bumpers, many vehicles will need a small bumper cut to allow the towbar neck to be fitted. This is usually a non-visible cut in the plastic trim underneath the bumper. We will always inform you if the cut will be visible and we will find the best bar to minimise the cut.
I have a towbar fitted, can I swap this to my new car?
Unfortunately, this is not possible. Towbars are unique to the chassis and each make and model is different.
Do you fit second hand towbars?
For safety and warranty purposes, we only fit new towbars and electric kits. All our towbars are Type Approved.
Do you offer mobile installation?
No. Our installations are all done in our large workshops in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. Fitting a towbar requires the bumper to be removed, stripping out of interior panels and complex wiring. It is much kinder to the vehicle for this to be carried out in a dry workshop on a ramp, than on your driveway or side of the road. We have a waiting area and courtesy cars for your convenience.
As a long-standing bricks and mortar company, you will always know where to find us should you have any queries about your towbar in the future too!
How long does a towbar fitting take?
This depends on the vehicle. Most cars and commercial vehicles take between half a day and a full day to fit. Towbars on some coach built and A Class motorhomes take up to 2 days to complete.