Anybody recommend any towbar fitters in the North-West / Derbyshire? 

 

And any general recommendations for the best towbars to go for? 

 

I'm after something detachable, purely intending to use it for a bike rack (don't know if that makes much difference), want to keep costs down as much as possible!

Edited 5 May, 20179 yr by a1dan75

http://www.rdtowbars.co.uk

 

Fitted the aftermarket detachable towbar on my S3. All fitted, electrics, coding.

 

Very good job.

P F Jones are at Stretford, Manchester if not too far for you.

 

Highly recommend the Westfalia detachable tow bar and their dedicated electrics. This is basically the factory fit option but with a slightly better tow bar mechanism.  The dedicated electrics cost a bit more but don't need any splicing into your existing wiring which I'd try avoid with sensitive can bus. It will also unlock the tow bar features programmed into the car including stability, deactivate reverse sensors when connected and extend your alarm so that it is triggered if someone disconnects the electrics when the car is locked.

 

Most modern bike racks will have 13 pin electrics so you will need to specify that over 7 pin or use an adaptor. 

 

If you don't have a tow bar bike rack yet let me know as I have a Thule Euroclassic 3 bike rack that I'm going to be selling soon as my new car doesn't have a tow bar. I'm just outside Leeds so not far from you. 

1 minute ago, CWARD said:

If you don't have a tow bar bike rack yet let me know as I have a Thule Euroclassic 3 bike rack that I'm going to be selling soon as my new car doesn't have a tow bar. I'm just outside Leeds so not far from you. 

 

I don't, so could well be interested in that - give me a shout before selling!

Also, anybody got any views on Swan Neck vs Flange?  Other than appearance (which I don't see as too relevant if it's detachable anyway?) I can't find much out on the pros and cons...

No problem. If you're around the area let me know and I will pull out from the back of the garage.

15 minutes ago, CWARD said:

P F Jones are at Stretford, Manchester if not too far for you.

 

 

 

The one I recommended is a PF Jones contractor. Go direct and save some money.

 

I went through PF Jones.

20 minutes ago, Coops said:

 

The one I recommended is a PF Jones contractor. Go direct and save some money.

 

I went through PF Jones.

 

Even better

I've contacted PF Jones for a quote.

 

What benefits do the Westfalia bars have over PF Jones' own brand ones, which are a bit cheaper?

It's built to a higher standard but being used for bike rack wouldn't matter too much. It is more invisible once removed too i.e. Unless you're laid on the floor looking you wouldn't know. 

Word of caution, where you only want the towbar for your bike rack the next owner may want/use it for more substantial loads.

 

The O3's software does some real clever ****, that makes towing very easy & safe, if your towbar installation doesn't fully code therefore, activate all that software the consequences could be fatal.

 

Your choice, your towbar, your sleep you'll be losing

1 hour ago, themanwithnoaim said:

Word of caution, where you only want the towbar for your bike rack the next owner may want/use it for more substantial loads.

 

The O3's software does some real clever ****, that makes towing very easy & safe, if your towbar installation doesn't fully code therefore, activate all that software the consequences could be fatal.

 

Your choice, your towbar, your sleep you'll be losing

From what I can tell, pfj offer the same electronics options for all of them, it's just the actual bar that's different.

Edited 5 May, 20179 yr by a1dan75

If you go on their website they will offer standard electrics that are spliced into your loom or you can upgrade to dedicated electrics which will be by Westfalia. 

35 minutes ago, a1dan75 said:

From what I can tell, pfj offer the same electronics options for all of them, it's just the actual bar that's different.

Still needs coding & its not all done with VCDS

 

You need to ensure your fitter can do this

5 hours ago, CWARD said:

If you go on their website they will offer standard electrics that are spliced into your loom or you can upgrade to dedicated electrics which will be by Westfalia. 

 

Yeah, I'd have to go for the proper westfalia stuff, the car's brand new.

 

I Assume there's not vast differences between the actual bars, seeing as the price gaps aren't large.  Being more invisible is good though.

 

Westfalia are over engineered which is probably why they often the OEM supplier for factory fits. When you use it will become apparent at how well designed it is. The Mk2 bumper was designed around the Westfalia tow bar with a removable panel for it with no additional cutting required. I imagine the mk3 to be the same. 

The dedicated electrics are more expensive but their intrigration into the cars electronics makes it worthwhile rather than just something to light up bulbs on bike rack or whatever else may be attached. 

When you get it fitted keep the swivel arm that the electrics are on lubricated with a little spray grease where the bolt is. When the tow bar isn't attached remember to install the blanking plug. It will then give you trouble free use.