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Tow bar


chrism123

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I am looking to get a tow bar for my fiat palio, as i have acquired one of these holdfast racks: post-22320-0-24539700-1313525705.jpg

 

Can anyone tell me about how much it is to install a tow bar onto a hatch back. I imagine they would have to run a wiring lume for the lights to the back as well...

 

Thanks

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They are about R3000.00 (Golf Mk1), I also got a quote for an Alfa 156 station wagon, R2400.00

How do you like the bike rack? I am thinking of putting 2 of those on top of my trailer. What holds the bikes to the upright post? Are there straps for the wheels?

Edited by chris_w_65
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I am looking to get a tow bar for my fiat palio, as i have acquired one of these holdfast racks: post-22320-0-24539700-1313525705.jpg

 

Can anyone tell me about how much it is to install a tow bar onto a hatch back. I imagine they would have to run a wiring lume for the lights to the back as well...

 

Thanks

 

The wiring for your lights already runs to the back.

 

I bought a 2nd hand tow bar for R650.00 and fitted it myself, it just bolts on and then you need to splice the wires.

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Thanks for the replies :) Looks like its more than expected...

 

@Chris

The rack is good. Its ease of use is the best, takes couple of seconds to secure ones bike. There is a strap that holds the frame to the upright post... There is nothing that straps the wheels in, although there is very little movement. The bikes sits vas. One could strap the wheels in with a stretchy for safety's sake.

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Thanks for the replies :) Looks like its more than expected...

 

@Chris

The rack is good. Its ease of use is the best, takes couple of seconds to secure ones bike. There is a strap that holds the frame to the upright post... There is nothing that straps the wheels in, although there is very little movement. The bikes sits vas. One could strap the wheels in with a stretchy for safety's sake.

 

Price is good, just the racks to put on my roof rack are R1000.00 each, Thule is a nicer system and easier to load and lock but then I would need R6400.00 for four bikes. Fot the amount I will use my trailer it is not worth it.

 

How are the rails held to the frame? Would I have to drill my roof rack or do they clamp on somehow?

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Does it bolt to the chasis? So one would just tap into the wires...>?

 

 

With mine, I took the bumper off, inside the bumper is a metal bumper that they call a stiffener and that has brackets to fit onto the body. Toss the stiffener and brackets and mount the bumper to the tow bar, the tow bar then has it's own brackets to bolt on the car. The wiring can be a bit tricky if you don't know much about car wiring.

 

If you get a used tow bar from a scrapyard you can probably take it to a fitment center and get it fitted for R650.00, I was going to do that.

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With mine, I took the bumper off, inside the bumper is a metal bumper that they call a stiffener and that has brackets to fit onto the body. Toss the stiffener and brackets and mount the bumper to the tow bar, the tow bar then has it's own brackets to bolt on the car. The wiring can be a bit tricky if you don't know much about car wiring.

 

If you get a used tow bar from a scrapyard you can probably take it to a fitment center and get it fitted for R650.00, I was going to do that.

 

Go to partsource.co.za and fill in a request for a tow bar, they contact all their subscribed scrap yards on your behalf and the service is free to you

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think you'd have to drill it, they rivitted on...

 

OK, that is good, at least they can't be unscrewed. I am buying Thule roof rails with locking knobs so they can't be removed and the bike racks come with locks. Obviously none of this will prevent theft but it will be a deterrent.

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Just a question, what tow-bar are you thinking of.?

 

An after market bar fitted by an aftermarket agent (or yourself) usually has to splice into the wiring loom, this will invalidate any manufacturers warranty you have on your car, and could cause electrical issues. Today's cars are so heavily controlled by computers, wiring is very crucial, and cutting and splicing into the loom could have you facing all sorts of running and ignition issues later.

 

Its more expensive I know, but manufacturers all have tow bars specifically designed for their cars, these bars come with plug in looms so nothing is cut and spliced, hence no possible issues. I would certainly go this way.

 

Unfortunately gone are the days when the average home handyman could take out his size 13 spanner, star driver and soldering iron, cut a few wires, solder in a fuse and fit a tow bar, radio, electric Ariel, winch, whatever, today's cars are just too sophisticated and you need specialised knowledge to accomplish most jobs on them competently, especially when it comes to cutting into wiring looms.

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Usually aftermarket tow bars are the only option, many car manufacturers do not sell factory tow bars over the counter, you can only buy them as an option with the new car. I have also tried to get used car dealers to fit one from another used car to "sweeten a deal" but they say they are not able to, they usually say the cars have different wiring.

 

Usually car dealerships have approved/preferred fitment centers and have no problem with them fitting stuff like alarms, tow bars and in the old days car phones

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Usually aftermarket tow bars are the only option, many car manufacturers do not sell factory tow bars over the counter, you can only buy them as an option with the new car. I have also tried to get used car dealers to fit one from another used car to "sweeten a deal" but they say they are not able to, they usually say the cars have different wiring.

 

Usually car dealerships have approved/preferred fitment centers and have no problem with them fitting stuff like alarms, tow bars and in the old days car phones

 

I think they don't sell them over the counter if you are going to take them home and fit them Chris, but if you ask the dealership to fit it, I am sure they will, it makes no sense to not do so.

 

Sure, if its a manufacturers approved fitment centre they will have access to the required manufacturers information, diagrams etc, and it would be no issue, I was more talking about just fitment centres in general. I would Definitely check with the manufacturer first.

 

As an aside, my wife bumper bashed her Audi a few weeks ago, we had to get two quotes as usual, but just before I submitted them, I called Audi as the car is still under maintenance plan. Audi said the car had to go to an Audi approved body repair centre or the plan would be invalidated. No questions, its in the fine print if you read the terms + conditions of the plan, (I didn't :unsure: ). So yeah, I think today its really not advisable to fiddle unless the car is out of warranty and you really know what you are doing - the results of uneducated workmanship on these very sophisticated engine control systems can be devastating.

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I think they don't sell them over the counter if you are going to take them home and fit them Chris, but if you ask the dealership to fit it, I am sure they will, it makes no sense to not do so.

 

Sure, if its a manufacturers approved fitment centre they will have access to the required manufacturers information, diagrams etc, and it would be no issue, I was more talking about just fitment centres in general. I would Definitely check with the manufacturer first.

 

As an aside, my wife bumper bashed her Audi a few weeks ago, we had to get two quotes as usual, but just before I submitted them, I called Audi as the car is still under maintenance plan. Audi said the car had to go to an Audi approved body repair centre or the plan would be invalidated. No questions, its in the fine print if you read the terms + conditions of the plan, (I didn't :unsure: ). So yeah, I think today its really not advisable to fiddle unless the car is out of warranty and you really know what you are doing - the results of uneducated workmanship on these very sophisticated engine control systems can be devastating.

 

I can't say for all makes of cars but the ones I have inquired about they said no way can a factory tow bar be fitted if it didn't come standard (I can't see the logic but maybe the harnesses are different). The used car guy I am dealing with has given me the option of fitting an aftermarket one and the car is practically new.

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