Aftermarket Tow Bar

[seyahremmus]

Anybody had one fitted? How much was it? Was it through vauxhall?

Anyone fitted themselves? Difficult?

Taken up cycling and whilst the bike will fit in with seats down, be a lot easier with a rack

[Paul12345Brighton]

I opted to have one fitted (have always fitted my own before) as vehicle coding is required. A mobile fitter came to my workplace and fitted a Brink fixed swan neck towbar and 13 Pin electrics. It took him twice as long as he expected but made a good job of it. Cost £399 all in. Now I need to see if the gutless 1.5 diesel engine can actually pull my caravan up a hill - to be honest I have my doubts!!

[Buggy1967]

I take it the fixed neck towbar has not affected the parking sensors?

[spiro]

I've just had a detachable after market swan neck tow bar fitted and when tow neck is in place it does affect the rear parking sensors, I don't know about the fixed one as I think the swan neck may sit further away from the bumper. If you look on PF Jones tow bar web site they explain the plus and minus of each tow bar type.

Hope this helps.

[Buggy1967]

Reply. I've had a quote from PF Jones. The last detachable tow bar I had fitted to a ford was never took off and I always regretted not having a cheaper towbar fitted.

Did you have to have the car recorded after fitting?

Thanks for the reply by the way. It's really helped.

[spiro]

It was fitted at home and had a dedicated wiring loom so I assume it was coded in. I don't know the cost as my dealer paid for it as compensation for the car spec changing between the order date and delivery. Dark tinted rear windows, electric boot opening and key less start had all been removed.

Other than that I am happy with the car, just need to see how manages with the caravan on the back.

[Steve13595]

I use a bink towbar with non dedicated electrics. Doesn't affect the reversing sensors ( swan neck) and pulls the caravan a treat

[Paul12345Brighton]

I take it the fixed neck towbar has not affected the parking sensors?

The Brink Fixed Swan Neck towbar does not interfere with the rear parking sensors. The 'wiggle your foot' closing tailgate also works as well as it did before the towbar was fitted (which is about a 1 in 10 success rate!)

[Paul12345Brighton]

I opted to have one fitted (have always fitted my own before) as vehicle coding is required. A mobile fitter came to my workplace and fitted a Brink fixed swan neck towbar and 13 Pin electrics. It took him twice as long as he expected but made a good job of it. Cost £399 all in. Now I need to see if the gutless 1.5 diesel engine can actually pull my caravan up a hill - to be honest I have my doubts!!

Quick update - I chose this car (15L Diesel Techline) As it was the only car on the new 'eco friendly' company car list that on paper would actually pull my caravan. Although it can legally tow my van I was concerned about the vehicle weight (it's very light) and the lack of power in the engine. I did a test tow last year to a fairly local caravan site with the family and dogs in car. The van felt stable when towing but I really struggled up the hills. For our main holiday I stripped everything that wasn't essential out of the van to make it lighter and we took two cars on holiday - me towing the van with the Grandland X and my wife following in her car with the family and the luggage. This is the most under-powered hopeless towcar I have ever had. I won't be getting another one!