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Which Tow Bar
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2012 7:12 pm
by winchman
Need a tow bar and cant find a used one so which should I get and why?
Heres three I have been onsidering
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Towbar-Mazda- ... 35ad788640
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mazda-Bongo-T ... 46009e7013
Or this + £13 for the wireing kit and ball
http://www.discount-towing.co.uk/product/10484
Now I assume I just wire it to the back lights nothing special required?
Re: Which Tow Bar
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2012 7:44 pm
by mikeWalsall
I had mine ...
...from this Forum member ...
http://www.lpgimports.co.uk/
http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... ose&u=7346
Who said ... "I can supply a A1 Towbar (the strongest we have come across) single electrics and tow ball including delivery for £85"...........
But that was before Christmas and to Forum members ... dunno if he has any more ..
Re: Which Tow Bar
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2012 8:26 pm
by g8dhe
winchman wrote:Now I assume I just wire it to the back lights nothing special required?
Its included and tested in the MOT these days, so it needs to be correct! Beeper etc. but yes you can reach all the required connections from behind the Offside rear lights, loossen the screws then slide the whole box out to the right (offside) to gain access.
Re: Which Tow Bar
Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 4:09 pm
by 321Away
There is something to consider with towbars! there is a type that only plates through the bumper mounting brackets, which in itself isnt a major weakness but the points at which they connect to the body with bongo's as they tend to rust around the nearside point, so make sure your vehicle is either sound or has been repaired properly to retain its strength, I've seen cars with baked bean tin (yes it still had the label on it!) riveted over a hole and smeared with brush-on underseal.
Julian
Re: Which Tow Bar
Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 4:56 pm
by mikeWalsall
Is that the same one that pulls the Bongos spot welds apart when dragging a caravan .. and makes the tow bar look lop sided ..??
Re: Which Tow Bar
Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 6:09 pm
by briwy
Have look at this topic, few pics of ours when I fitted it.
http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =3&t=50789
Re: Which Tow Bar
Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 10:29 pm
by Poohbear
g8dhe wrote:winchman wrote:Now I assume I just wire it to the back lights nothing special required?
Its included and tested in the MOT these days, so it needs to be correct! Beeper etc. but yes you can reach all the required connections from behind the Offside rear lights, loossen the screws then slide the whole box out to the right (offside) to gain access.
Not true! The towbar electrics are NOT included in the MOT. It is purely a structural check on the towbar and it's fixing to the vehicle.
Re: Which Tow Bar
Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 10:35 pm
by winchman
Poohbear wrote:g8dhe wrote:winchman wrote:Now I assume I just wire it to the back lights nothing special required?
Its included and tested in the MOT these days, so it needs to be correct! Beeper etc. but yes you can reach all the required connections from behind the Offside rear lights, loossen the screws then slide the whole box out to the right (offside) to gain access.
Not true! The towbar electrics are NOT included in the MOT. It is purely a structural check on the towbar and it's fixing to the vehicle.
Only tested if its the newer style (13 PIN?)type so I was told today by a guy trying to charge me £125 for his super tow bar, got a bit snotty when I explained I can get on on Ebay for £80
Problem I have is no one shows the actual bar, so show me your Tow bar please make and pic would be good
Re: Which Tow Bar
Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 10:44 pm
by dandywarhol
Poohbear wrote:g8dhe wrote:winchman wrote:Now I assume I just wire it to the back lights nothing special required?
Its included and tested in the MOT these days, so it needs to be correct! Beeper etc. but yes you can reach all the required connections from behind the Offside rear lights, loossen the screws then slide the whole box out to the right (offside) to gain access.
Not true! The towbar electrics are NOT included in the MOT. It is purely a structural check on the towbar and it's fixing to the vehicle.
True!

From Directgov ..................
Towbars for security, condition, inappropriate repairs or modification. Correct operation of 13 pin electrical socket
The 7 pin only needs checking for security or damage.

Re: Which Tow Bar
Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 10:45 pm
by daveblueozzie
Poohbear wrote:g8dhe wrote:winchman wrote:Now I assume I just wire it to the back lights nothing special required?
Its included and tested in the MOT these days, so it needs to be correct! Beeper etc. but yes you can reach all the required connections from behind the Offside rear lights, loossen the screws then slide the whole box out to the right (offside) to gain access.
Not true! The towbar electrics are NOT included in the MOT. It is purely a structural check on the towbar and it's fixing to the vehicle.
Wrong

the tow bar electrics are tested on the new MOT, mine was , and was told if it didnt work properly it would fail the mot.luckily it passed.
Re: Which Tow Bar
Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 11:13 pm
by Poohbear
dandywarhol wrote:Poohbear wrote:Not true! The towbar electrics are NOT included in the MOT. It is purely a structural check on the towbar and it's fixing to the vehicle.
True!

From Directgov ..................
Towbars for security, condition, inappropriate repairs or modification. Correct operation of 13 pin electrical socket
The 7 pin only needs checking for security or damage.

Point taken, mine's only the 7 pin. I don't have a need for the 13 pin and that doesn't get tested in the MOT.
Re: Which Tow Bar
Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 6:57 am
by winchman
Thanks thats just what info I need, its so confusing as every oe has a different one and different opinion