Second hand tow bar

Mimaw

Hi

I want to get a tow bar fitted to my car, the new ones are pretty expensive!!
I've been looking at second hand ones on ebay but I'm unsure how to tell which one will fit my car. There are websites that sell new ones and will work out what towbar you need when you put in your reg number but they don't actually tell you what model or model number they would fit.
Does anyone know of a resource I can read to work out what type or what model numbers will fit my car?
I'm hoping to tow a small (2 berth max) caravan if that makes any difference.
Thank you!

chunkytfg

Go on eBay or some such similar website and search for 'tow bar' along with your vehicle make and model would seem like the most obvious way of doing it?

Mimaw

I can find newer, more expensive ones by doing that. The majority of the second hand ones just list the type of towbar and the model number. I need to find a resource that tells me what model numbers will fit my vehicle. I have already tried googling to no avail.

AdrianC

The actual bar itself (assuming a simple fixed bar) is usually cheap. The expense comes in the wiring kit and the fitting. Buying a used bar may well be a false economy, especially if you plan on getting somebody to fit it for you.

But if you give us a rough hint as to what car you're looking for a towbar for, then we might be able to help...

molerat

Just Google the brand name catalogue. It took me around 2 minutes to find Westfalia and Thule/Brink PDF catalogues.

wgl2014

Be careful of buying a used part that doesn't come with all the fixtures and fittings required to actually use it!

jimbo6977

the cost is not the lump of pig iron that is the bar itself but the labour cost (and risk) of removing half the back end of your car and replacing it either side of the install.

forgotmyname

Too many 2nd hand ones with parts missing. Unless you know what your buying avoid them like the plague....

Spotted one where a guy fitted a hathback towbar to an estate then found it too short and welded some flat pieces to extend it. Looked like he welded then on with his eyes closed. He even said in the listing he didnt know if it was safe....

Some cars have sections that strengthen the chassis rails, either plates or spacers that go into the chassis legs, when they remove the towbar these fall into the chassis legs and dont get removed.
When the new owner fits them they crush the chassis legs or they only lightly tighten them where they will start to rattle and the towbar moves.

Small 2 berth means little.

You can get a 14ft 2 berth that weighs 1600kg or you can get a 5 berth 19ft van that weighs 1000kg

photome

I am with the others, if you are going to the expense of caravaning ( its not a cheap holiday) then it seems silly and possibly dangerous scrimping on the tow bar

snilloct1957

I had a new tow-bar fitted to a Rover 1.4 diesel to tow a 2 berth caravan about 15 years ago. Cost around £125, not expensive...

greyteam1959

I had removable tow bar fitted on a Kia Venga at a Kia dealership.
Their first quote for the tow bar,fitting & electrics was around £600 & that was 4 years ago.
I negotiated the price down by about £250.........