Towbar installations for cars, commercial vehicles and motorhomes
The growing need for versatility of the car has led to an increasing demand for towbars. They increase the efficiency of day-to-day work and also offer many benefits for leisure activities. Whether towing a horsebox, caravan or boat, transporting bicycles or using a trailer, we have the towbar for the job. As a company, we specialise in OE (Original Equipment) accessories meaning that you keep your car as standard as possible.
As agents for Westfalia, Brink, ORIS, Tow Trust, Witter and PCT towbars, we are able to offer the factory towbar and electric solution for most vehicles and our latest diagnostic equipment ensures the work is completed to dealership standard, for a fraction of the cost. 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 invest heavily in the design of their cars. A fixed towbar can be seen to upset the symmetry of the car’s original design. Detachable towbars can easily be removed when not needed, leaving the line of the car as the designer intended. The detachable towbar also has practical advantages – it doesn’t obscure low mounted number plates or catch on clothing/shins when not in use.
Detachable systems vary very slightly, depending upon the manufacturer but in essence, to use it, the removable tow-ball neck is inserted into its housing from below and secured against theft by means of a lock. The neck is also easily removed and stored away in the supplied bag . The electric sockets rotate and are hidden behind the bumper meaning the towbar becomes completely invisible!
Retractable Towbars
The retractable towbar is a clever alternative to the detachable system above. The ingenious swivel mechanism means that, at the pull of a handle, the towbar and electrics can be swivelled out of sight and under the bumper, yet remaining accessible at all times. The towbar is therefore always ready for use as the neck does not need to be removed from the car.
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 model is generally the lowest-priced towbar and is available for the majority of vehicles. The neck design is sleeker than the flange towbar – it looks more appealing and is less likely to affect your parking sensors.
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.
Please be aware that a towbar is the most important accessory you can purchase in terms of safety and such a specialised installation should only be completed by experienced installers with correct tools and diagnostics….never DIY!
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.
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.