Monte Carlo Estate Towbar, Fitted at Last

[gumdrop]

PF Jones arranged, mobile towbar fitter arrived today in the rain and fitted a Westphalia towbar with a detachable towball. 

It needed a bigger hole in the skirt than the normal Fabias. The official plug in electrics were awkward but the fitter (Steve)

made it look easy. I had this harness fitted as the car is under warranty.

[founts_d]

That's great! Do you have any photos of it installed? Thanks

[gumdrop]

51 minutes ago, founts_d said:

That's great! Do you have any photos of it installed? Thanks

Not at the moment, there is Storm Alex in progress, it is an extremely heavy rain scenario.

[gumdrop]

Not too pretty from down here (see photo) but reflection from gravel makes the incision look huge

It looks very handsome from normal viewing angles though. Full electrics fitted to satisfy warranty.

[founts_d]

Thanks! Does look a bit untidy from down there but as you said from a normal angle it would look better.

[gumdrop]

Now where do you fit the breakaway cable to be legal.?

[founts_d]

Isn't there a loop beside the neck on the right hand side? Up on the main beam of the towbar?

[gumdrop]

I cannot get down to look nowadays (the camera has a tilt-able view screen) I will get my lad to take a look.

Thank you.

[gumdrop]

On 07/10/2020 at 10:01, founts_d said:

Isn't there a loop beside the neck on the right hand side? Up on the main beam of the towbar?

Yup, found it!  I had to grope about myself (lazy ****** was too busy) I could barely get my hand

in the gap.

[founts_d]

Gumdrop, you did well to get your towbar from PF Jones. I ordered the same Westfalia Detachable towbar from them on the 11th August and I'm still waiting for it 3 months later!

[gumdrop]

On 16/11/2020 at 00:07, founts_d said:

Gumdrop, you did well to get your towbar from PF Jones. I ordered the same Westfalia Detachable towbar from them on the 11th August and I'm still waiting for it 3 months later!

I ordered it and the fitting service, in my case the towbar and harness arrived the fitter took several weeks.

It all worked well when fitted but I had 7 pin instead of 13 pin the trailer was 13 pin ..... Bother!

It towed the 750kg trailer well but there was a problem with the trailer and it had to go back.

[founts_d]

So my wait is over. PF Jones finally delivered the Westfalia Detachable towbar I ordered.

Fitting was pretty straight forward, I might need to trim the bumper a bit more though.

Wiring the 13 pin dedicated electrics was as to be expected. A lot of the interior out, and the CAN connection behind the dash was a pain.

Overall really happy with everything though.

[AGFalco]

18 hours ago, founts_d said:

Overall really happy with everything though.

 

What make / tread pattern are the rear tyres?

 

Thanks, AG Falco

[founts_d]

8 hours ago, AGFalco said:

 

What make / tread pattern are the rear tyres?

 

Thanks, AG Falco

Tyres are the factory fitted Bridgestone Potenza RE050A in 215/40 17

[UrkB]

Appreciate this is an old topic - but if the Op is still around, does the towbar trigger the parking sensor when it’s attached? I’m looking to get a fixed towbar to save some cash, but have got used to having the sensors for parking!

 

[founts_d]

Not in my case. I have the neck of the Westfalia towbar in all the time and it doesn't interfere with the parking sensors at all.

[UrkB]

Thanks founts_d that’s reassuring. The installer I’d contacted was telling me ‘it’ll probably be fine’ but I wasn’t sure whether that was experience or just optimism…