hints for fitting tow bar with rear convertion

jimsmimm · Post by **jimsmimm** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 6:37 pm

Hi all , I am about to under take the fitting of a towbar to my bongo which is fitted with a 321away rear convertion, just wondering if anyone had done anything similiar recentley and had any tips on fitting.. ie,....easiest bar to fit , can it be done without pulling the convertion to bits.......any help much appreciated........(I ran a search on this and discovered twobike mike had undertaken the same thing ...unfortunatly it was over 2 years ago and he cant remember the exact details and is away from his van at present).....

bongolow · Post by **bongolow** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:03 pm

I've just bought the Towequipe towbar but haven't fitted it yet - only arrived a couple of days ago. I intend to fit a couple of flush rear foglamps while I've got the bumper off. It seems straightforward to fit with only a couple of holes to drill.

Go to Towequipe's site, enter 'Bongo' in the search box and on the Bongo page there is a link to the fitting instructions (PDF file). It's below the big red 'Tow Ball and Wiring Kit' button. I would imagine that other makes of towbar a fitted in a similar way, but that's just a guess.

http://www.towequipe.com/

Edit: Correction - it's the Towtrust one I've got, bought through Towequipe.

jimsmimm · Post by **jimsmimm** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:24 pm

cheers bongolow ....its the removing rear trim and drilling holes as listed in the fitting instructions that I am wondering about as my convertion is against the rear door...though I believe tjhe fridge isn't that difficult to remove,I wouldnt mind knowing how much work is involved in the rest.....

madmile · Post by **madmile** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:38 pm

The bolting in part of fitting a towbar took me about an hour the first time.
There is only one bolt that fits just under the rear panel, but as you say, this is the one that could cause problems.

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:40 pm

Fitted one two weeks ago, the only bit of trim I removed was the plastic strip across the very back of the floor ( where the tailgate catches) I did all the trailer wireing by removing the nearside rear light cluster, pulling out the large rubber grommet where the wires pass into the van and carefully pulling the wires out enough for me to connect into. I did the same on the offside to route the indicator wire along the towbar to the nearside and into the loom. ( pass all the wires through the grommet before joining) I used a combination of scotchlocks and soldering and heatsrink. Hope this helps. Took about 2 hours to fit the towbar and another 2 for the wireing. Could do the next one quicker..Have fun!!
PS... to mount the towbar I drilled 10mm holes and enlarged them with a tapered grinder.

Dago & Mrs D · Post by **Dago & Mrs D** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:54 pm

Hi jimsmimm,

Ours is also a 321away with rear conversion. However we got them to fit the towbar just after we bought Monty and were just about to travel down France, so time was short.
Have you contacted Wayne at 321, I'm sure he would help you with fitting advice.

jimsmimm · Post by **jimsmimm** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:54 pm

thanks guys....hcallow..which make of towbar did you fit.....

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 9:07 pm

Good question. I think I got it off the bongomaster back at HQ. On the top of the fitting instructions it says A1 Towing. Easy to fit and the instructions are just about idiot proof. Just as well really.!!

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 9:09 pm

Ah!! just found the invoice.. from the Bongomaster £95.74 +vat for the full kit

Post by **Ian** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 9:12 pm

Here it is.

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/mercha ... m#Exterior

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 9:13 pm

PPPPS If you carn't remove that bit of trim co's of the conversion, You may be able to drill through it or at a push leave that bolt out. It's a very strong bit of kit and there are plenty of other bolts. I would but don't blame me if the trailer falls off.

flash · Post by **flash** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 9:27 pm

I fitted a Towsure bar to mine, no trouble. It needs painting before fitting so buy it well in advance. As previously mentioned, only one bolt under rear trim at very back. I haven't got same conversion as you, but would be surprised if this bolt was a problem.

jimsmimm · Post by **jimsmimm** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 9:43 pm

just like to thank Ian for having the towbar delivered to my door in less than 48hours..... out standing service sir

=D>=D>=D>=D>

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 12:04 am

jimsmimm wrote:just like to thank Ian for having the towbar delivered to my door in less than 48hours..... out standing service sir =D>=D>=D>=D>

.......was he out of breath????????