Detachable towbar

leroypatches

Hey,
Getting a tower for an Avensis.

Found a company with a great website.
http://www.malcolms.ie/towbars/toyota/avensis/TY132CQ/1003

Because of the way I need to back up to the front door to park, I was considering the one in the link above - detachable. My missus nearly broke her shin off the towbar I had on the last car I had.

Any advice against it - other than it's about 100€ more expensive.

Also are Witter a well known brand?

Thanks a mil,
Brian

colm_mcm

Witter are a well known brand, and Malcolm's are very reputable.
Detachable is a much nicer job. Easily worth the €100 extra.


I hear Toyota dealers are very expensive for towbars

selectamatic

Toyota Irelands ones will ruin your weekend so good choice on avoiding them

leroypatches

Thanks colm_mcm.

I got the impression they were a good crowd. The website is very well done. They have 4 different styles of Witter towbar for the avensis! Good to know Witter are a good brand.

Anyone have any thoughts on detachable towbars?

Dilbert75

Do they also supply & fit the electrics? Presumably you have to call for a price?

Del2005

leroypatches wrote: »

Anyone have any thoughts on detachable towbars?

No good as a farmer's parking sensor.

leroypatches

Yes Dilbert75. Was €333 for the standard flange type or swan neck type and about €440 for the detachable one. Wouldn't be considering a detachable one only we have to back in to the front door to park and in the dark the towbar is a disaster.

Just wondering are they a big no no or is there a down side?

leroypatches

That was fitted with electrics etc

leroypatches

Del2005 wrote: »

No good as a farmer's parking sensor.

Ha. Considered that too!

Dilbert75

leroypatches wrote: »

Yes Dilbert75. Was 333 for the standard flange type or swan neck type and about 440 for the detachable one. Wouldn't be considering a detachable one only we have to back in to the front door to park and in the dark the towbar is a disaster.

Just wondering are they a big no no or is there a down side?

I've never had a detachable bar but that was only because my cars either came with a fixed bar or I wasn't in a position to spring to the more expensive one at the time. Other than that I'd have one.

exaisle

I've used Malcolm's at least four times....they're in business in Rathmines a long time...and I 100% recommend them.

R.O.R

Worth pricing it up with http://www.towingequipment.ie/ as well.

We use both in work - Towing Equipment fit Brinks Tow Bars - equivalent quality to Witter. Pricing is pretty similar for both, but Malcolms can be a little more expensive on some.

Detachable bars can be bit fiddly to fit in and out the first couple of times. Presume they get easier, but I'd only ever be fiddling with them when they are new.

Fitting a lot of detachable bars recently as I've a few drivers who need a tow bar (have to tow trailers for work, occasionally), but don't really want a tow bar to ruin the back of the car, so it's worth the circa €120 more than the fixed bar (especially if the company are paying).

mickmmc

You should reverse into a car park space up to the wall when you have non-detachable towbar (where possible).

The towbar was stolen off my car (ie. ball / arm was unscrewed and connector taken).

I have noticed other cars over the last year where they are missing the ball and arm but the plate under the bumper is still there.

A detachable towbar would be a better option.

There must be a market for second-hand towbars.

colm_mcm

Some garages remove the ball and wiring when they stick it on the forecourt.

aujopimur

Try www.towbarsbay, much cheaper.

Odyssey 2005

leroypatches wrote: »

Thanks colm_mcm.

I got the impression they were a good crowd. The website is very well done. They have 4 different styles of Witter towbar for the avensis! Good to know Witter are a good brand.

Anyone have any thoughts on detachable towbars?

Malcomes are excellent to deal with. I have a detatchable towbar on my car,had one on Mrs.Odysseys one also .Great bit of kit,I have sensors on the rear of my car and a flange type would keep setting them off. If you can spring for it then go for it, I know I wouldn't have anything else at this stage..

leroypatches

Thanks a mil everyone for all the posts. Will go ahead with it. Thanks a mil.

micks_address

Might be tempted to get one of these for my Civic tourer... dont do a lot of towing but when I do have to borrow my dads car. Honda OEM is expensive

http://www.coxmotorparts.co.uk/genuine-honda-civic-tourer-detachable-towbar-kit2014-p-4509.html

I'm sure it would be even more expensive with Honda Ireland.

I've contacted Malcolms to see how much they would be

http://www.malcolms.ie/towbars/honda/civic/HN70Q/307

Cheers,
Mick