SeanW Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 So, I've just bought a new towbar for the car. Useful for oiking boats around (I'm a Sea Cadet Instructor, and our heaviest trailered boat is under 500kg - even with a trailer it comes in under 750kg). Spotted one on eBay at £70, reduced from £198. Thought the original price was a bit inflated for a no-brand cheap Chinese import, but worth a punt for £70. The picture on the listing is just a general one that they use on most of their ads so didn't pay any attention to it. Well, it arrived today. Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be a Witter towbar, with towball & electrics kit. Only thing missing was a bypass relay - but picked that up for another £15 after being advised to fit one (messaged them). Not bad going, eh?! This is the one: http://r.ebay.com/WVdS63 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
south_bound Posted March 7, 2015 Share Posted March 7, 2015 I got mine from PF Jones as well and I'm very happy with it. It came as a kit with good instructions and easy enough to fit - the hardest part was getting to the wiring in the boot and working out which cable is which. The skotch-lock connectors are not brilliant and I've had to get back in to reconnect one, but apart from that its all great - I've since found out that I should have soldered the joints instead). The instructions say you need to cut out a bit off the bottom of the skirt under the bumper for the tow ball to fit but in the end I didn't need to. I use the tow bar to mount a bike carrier for 4 bikes and the focus manages no problem at all with that although the nose goes up in the air a bit when fully loaded. I also have a 1 tonne trailer and exceeded that a few times again without any problems. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanW Posted March 7, 2015 Author Share Posted March 7, 2015 I started fitting it at half-9 this morning...finally finished about 4pm lol I didn't bother cutting the flap either - put a bit of gaffa tape to reduce any potential irritating vibrations lol Wiring was a pig!! Thought it'd be easy to do - wrrooonnngg lol I didn't bother with Scotch locks. Stripped the insulation off and taped it up good and proper (don't like soldering - too awkward to get into and I'm scared of burning stuff lol). I've used this method for everything else (parking sensors, dashcam, DRLs) with no problems at all) I did forget to pick up my fuses this morning - so it still needs testing lol Do it tomorrow when I swipe a boat lol 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonic113 Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 I started fitting it at half-9 this morning...finally finished about 4pm lol I didn't bother cutting the flap either - put a bit of gaffa tape to reduce any potential irritating vibrations lol Wiring was a pig!! Thought it'd be easy to do - wrrooonnngg lol I didn't bother with Scotch locks. Stripped the insulation off and taped it up good and proper (don't like soldering - too awkward to get into and I'm scared of burning stuff lol). I've used this method for everything else (parking sensors, dashcam, DRLs) with no problems at all) I did forget to pick up my fuses this morning - so it still needs testing lol Do it tomorrow when I swipe a boat lol got a good bargain there Sean. I was thinking about a towbar for my focus (mk2.5 2009 1.6 zetec) but was not sure if it would be up to pulling a small trailer or if it would take too much out of the engine/clutch? A Towbar is a handy thing to have on a car. what is your focus version and let me know how you find it towing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
south_bound Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Mine tows great with the 1.6TDCi engine. I have a 1 tonne four wheel trailer and have pulled it a couple of times fully loaded from Ireland or Wales to the south of France without any issues, just dropping down a gear on the motorway when hitting the mountain regions. Constant 65-70mph alll the way stoppping only for fuel and toilet breaks. I thought I had done the clutch once when pullling uphill out of the local quarry loaded up with sand - it was a choice of ruining the tyres with wheel spin or controlling it on the clutch. Plus when I told the loader driver that I wanted 1 tonne he thought I was asking for 1 cubic metre with is more like 1.5 tonnes! I wasn't going to start shovelling it all back out. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
south_bound Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Forgot to say, I checked mine over the weekend and its a Witter brand as well - can't fault it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanW Posted March 9, 2015 Author Share Posted March 9, 2015 got a good bargain there Sean. I was thinking about a towbar for my focus (mk2.5 2009 1.6 zetec) but was not sure if it would be up to pulling a small trailer or if it would take too much out of the engine/clutch? A Towbar is a handy thing to have on a car. what is your focus version and let me know how you find it towing. Mine is the 1.8 petrol.The only thing I've towed so far is a boat - that and the trailer was probably only around 200kg Seemed fine though. Took it easy because I didn't fancy knackering the boat on the potholes lol The 1.6 tdci should be easy up to the job. Good low-down torque being a diseasal lol 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonic113 Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 I might keep an eye out for one. i think the detachable ones look good and it great they can be removed when not needed. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
south_bound Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 I purposely went for the non detachable one so I could keep the cycle rack bracket ready to use...and it stops others parking too close to my rear end! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salsheikh Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 the company i work for tests the Witter towbars and they are good. If the tests fail then they cant sell them - simple as that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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