600 notes for a tow bar!

CJL · 01 January 2011, 13:50

I've just been quoted 600 notes to fit a removable towbar to the back of a mk6 golf!

Does anybody else think this is kinda taking the piss? Its only a Witter tow bar but they want to fit a removable hatch in the bumper.

Chris

kerny · 01 January 2011, 14:09

I would say taking the piss,

but I have just noticed your location, so I'm not so sure .

Neil Harvey · 01 January 2011, 14:14

shocking... £218 to buy and fit yourself from GT towing, with a 10% discount code if you want them to fit it on the following page...
http://www.gttowing.co.uk/GOLF-MK5-&...321751/321751/

Steve_B · 01 January 2011, 14:29

Does seem a little high! Mind your, we have have just had a quote from Citroen to fit a removable bar to my wifes new DS3 for £411.75 ... Ouch

Been having a look around and think I can get one for £185 and fit myself

CJL · 01 January 2011, 15:18

Problem is that its lease car and I daren't try fitting it myself!

A family friend is a vw specialist and he didn't want to do it for the same reason. Installing the bar is the easy bit. It's the electrics that worry me as if the car senses a voltage drop it puts the car into "limp" mode and you can only do 30mph! Explaining that to my boss would be interesting.

I may try GT towing again, they quoted me the 600 quid for the witter in the first place but perhaps with the westfallia tow bar now available they are worth another try.

Chris

A.C. · 01 January 2011, 15:38

Just had a tow bar fitted to my Mk 4 Golf at Tanfield Towbar and Trailer Centre, Horsham, Sussex. Supply and fit with single electrics = £190.00.

Excellent service and all done within two hours.

lakelandterrier · 01 January 2011, 15:43

I had a removable tow bar fitted to my X-trail last December £350. £600 sounds excessive to me. I'd try some other quotes.

BruceB · 01 January 2011, 15:45

Most modern towbar kits to fit current cars come with plug in electirc kits. I fitted the whole bat to my Sorento including plug in electrics in around 2.5 hours, most of which was removing trim to get to the plugs!

Jizm · 01 January 2011, 16:36

Just buy one from off the net and ensure you buy the right relays to suit your car, it's not too bad to do just ensure you get the correct relay and bear in mind it may not be cheap.

I use these people all the time and they recommend what else you need as you go through with your purchase including plug connections to save the car loom etc.

http://towequipe.co.uk/

Erin · 01 January 2011, 16:55

Fitted one to my A3 and as previous posters have stated, it is important you get the right electrics. I decided to buy the genuine Audi wiring kit, which has simple plug and play looms that fit into the rear light clusters. The only tricky bit was running a wire to the fusebox at the front as my car has the driver info system which needs to be told when a trailer is connected so that it doesn't think there's smomething wrong with the lights when it suddenly has extra load on the circuits.

Depending on the rear bumper, you typically have to make a cutout in it for the towbar to stick out. The VW bumpers are generally quite deep/low

lakelandterrier · 01 January 2011, 17:04

If it is a company lease car, then the lease company / your company will be very touchy about "amateur" fitting of any accessory - remember the car will be expected to be returned at end of lease in it's original condition - i.e. with any fitted towbar removed - unless arranged otherwise.

You will need to have the change authorised by the lease company - I'm sure you've done that, and if it were a lease /company vehicle I'd want the towbar fitted by professionals - who will have the insurance cover if there is a problem - e.g trim fitting snapping, wiring issue etc...

Bob

Paul Cannell · 01 January 2011, 17:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJL

I've just been quoted 600 notes to fit a removable towbar to the back of a mk6 golf!

Does anybody else think this is kinda taking the piss? Its only a Witter tow bar but they want to fit a removable hatch in the bumper.

Chris

I have a Passat with the Westfallia removable bar & the dedicated wiring kit, there is no attachment point for a brakeaway chain

The Westfallia is the same as VW's own bar, the bumper with the removable slot is @ £65.

The dedicated wiring kit is nearly as much money as the towbar & will need programing by a dealer to make sure the TCS & ESP is working correctly when a trailer is connected.

This may account for some of the cost!.

Avocet · 01 January 2011, 21:20

I agree that that's a lot: my removable tow-bar for a Volvo V70 was £456.95 (inc VAT) fitted at a Volvo main dealership (with all wiring/relays and a return to garage to get the brake lights to work properly) in 2006. I thought that expensive but I could leave the car whilst I was at work conveniently nearby.

chewy · 01 January 2011, 21:34

These fitted the towbar to my old Volvo for Bogi and I think it cost £165. Came to my house and did it.

http://www.towbarexpress.co.uk/

tumbleweed41 · 02 January 2011, 04:41

Fitted my own witter towbar to my laguna for 85.00.Bought it from halfords on special order.
Was quoted 300.00 approx at local trailer and towbar ripoff merchant.Sod that as it's a straight forward job with only 4 attachment bolts.Electrics are simple enough as the laguna is an older model.It's more complicated with a car that has CAN bus wiring though.I understand it's even easier with much newer cars as a dedicated wiring socket is provided in the boot that you plug the trailer wiring into(having got the right loom for your car!)
Good news is it's not fallen off yet!

CJL · 02 January 2011, 22:51

I should have it fitted professionally but many colleague have done themselves for bottom of the range Ford Focus's. That's the only reason I mention it.

I would have much better peace of mind if a dealer did it - I mean its a fairly fundamental bit of kit.

My A4 had a westfallia one fitted and that's why I'm happy to plump with them.

I'll let you all know how I get on with GT Towing.

Chris

KTTvesuvius · 05 October 2015, 20:37

Did you ever get it fitted by GT towbars? How was the service you received and was the quality good?

CJL · 05 October 2015, 20:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by KTTvesuvius

Did you ever get it fitted by GT towbars? How was the service you received and was the quality good?

GT Towing did fit the towbar on the Ford Focus and on the subsequent Vauxhall Insigna. Both expensive but good.

I sent the Mrs back as well to get them to loosen the bolts on the hitch so I could fit a bike carrier which they did without a moan. (Mind you I was nearly lifting the car off the ground trying to get the bolts loose!)

Chris

Bigmuz7 · 05 October 2015, 21:38

And the award for old thread resurrected and responded to.... goes to.... CJL

well done sir .. thats a few years in between .. have to say I just paid 2K for mine

Mollers · 05 October 2015, 21:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

have to say I just paid 2K for mine

Did it come with a towbar?