Pros & Cons of a towbar

[Wigan_Pixie]

Anyone like to comment on the pros and cons of having a towbar fitted? My ex-husband (who gives stupidity a bad name) says that it would get in the way when using the back of the Bongo and I would be forever banging my legs on it, but when I'm taking a few people camping it would be very useful to take all the tents and stuff.

I would appreciate hearing a few voices of experience, then I can make an informed decision.

[missfixit70]

Pro's - You can fit a towbar step ( works as a step, rear fender defender for car park crunches & bottle opener )
Gives you much more flexibility to tow a trailer or fit a Bak rak or Thule towbar mounted carrier - great for dirty/wet gear you don't want in the bongo.

Cons - may reduce your economy by 0.05% due to the extra weight & interrupted airflow
You may bang your shins once or twice - you soon learn - towbar step helps to negate the likelihood bizarrely

Go for it, I'm assuming EX-husband for good reason

[brorabongo]

One of my first jobs on our bongo was to fit a towbar. I have not smacked my shin on it.......Yet.

Do it in stainless/chrome, and it's a nice little pimp aswell. Also easily spotted if using the rear mirror.

[Wigan_Pixie]

Go for it, I'm assuming EX-husband for good reason

The ex-husband story is a good one, I won't bore everyone with the story but if you ever meet me at a bash, I'll happily tell you.

I will be having a towbar fitted, as soon as I can get the cash together - just to defy the ex!

[You've Been Bongod]

tell your ex husband to mind his own buisness
a towbar is good because if someone reverses into you you are likely to get away without damage but not the other vehicle
you can add a cycle rack
you can add a step
you can tow a trailer
a caravan
i never walk into my towbar


you've been bongod

[John the sparky]

never banged into the towbar either.......

the reversing mirror though that put me on my knees but as said only once

I went for the towbar, for fitting a bike rack, and haven't used it for towing..... but plans are forming

John

[mikeonb4c]

The Towbar Shin accident usually happens when you cross the road between two closely parked cars, one having a towbar and you don't see it as you are concentrating on looking out for traffic. At least thats how it happened to me once

It' not happened to me with the Bongo. You can get a rubber towball cover that would help too. I've got a towbar mounted step and you'd think you'd bang yourself on that but you don't seem to cos it's so bl**dy obviously there! Recommend a step - makes reaching over into back for stuff very easy whereas otherwise you get tempted to stand on a wet towball, slip and.....you can guess the rest

[Wigan_Pixie]

I'm having a towbar fitted at Wheelquick, do I have to ask for a special one if I want a mounted step? If not, where do I get a step from?

[brorabongo]

Ebay looks a good place, It's got me thinking about one. My question is, where do you put the electrics?

I just tried using "towbar step" in the ebay search box, are there are a few up for sale.

[missfixit70]

I'm having a towbar fitted at Wheelquick, do I have to ask for a special one if I want a mounted step? If not, where do I get a step from?

towsure - http://www.towsure.com/product/491-Van_ ... )_-_Double
towequipe - http://stores.channeladvisor.com/towbar/Items/dbstep?
Landrover specialist - http://www.simmonites.com/Defender%20exterior.htm - scroll down a bit
Ebay - click here - think I got mine from these guys

Or try a commercial breakers maybe?

[missfixit70]

Ebay looks a good place, It's got me thinking about one. My question is, where do you put the electrics?

Extension plate should be supplied so that you can mount the electrics under the step & towball

[brorabongo]

Ebay looks a good place, It's got me thinking about one. My question is, where do you put the electrics?

Extension plate should be supplied so that you can mount the electrics under the step & towball

Cheers. I had a look at Mikes photo, from a previous post, and I could'nt see the socket.

[mikeonb4c]

Brora - if you click on the image below (probably the one you've been looking at before) to enlarge it, you can just make out the black socket lurking under the right hand step grille. In the same position under hte left step you can see a pre-drilled hole as this little beauty will allow two sockets to be mounted on it. I got this one off ebay for £8.49 +£10 postage and sprayed it up silent silver, and I'm very happy with it. I reckon it came off a BT van or summat as it was a solid but unglamorous heavy zinc plated job as bought. Keep your eyes peeled or maybe check out breakers yards, unattended BT vans etc.

Great fun though and if you have a rear spoiler and the kids are tall enough they can have great fun riding shotgun on the tailgate and using the spoiler as a handhold.

[brorabongo]

Cheers, that is the photo in question, and I can see the socket now. I did notice on Ebay that all the ones for sale are the bar type( on step) rather than grill step type, which I would prefer. I'll just need to keep my eyes open, and a range of spanners handy, incase I spot an unattended BT van.



Sorry for hijacking the thread Wigan_Pixie.

[Wigan_Pixie]

Sorry for hijacking the thread Wigan_Pixie.

Hijack away, I now know more about the subject than I did before. So when the ex starts telling me why I shouldn't have a towbar, I can explain about the step and baffle him with talk of where the electrics should go, where the sockets are, etc. I'll will be a load of b*ll*cks, but should sound convincing enough that I know what I'm talking about - to a thick b'stard like him anyway.