HDAV Posted June 9, 2015 Report Share Posted June 9, 2015 So I'm thinking of buying something which will need towing, this means getting a tow bar for my car (weight isnt an issue towing load is under 500kg). Now Im pretty switched on electrically but towing electrics i just don't get, maybe its the terminology, maybe its where i am looking but *** how is not just £30 of wires? £70-£200 to fit a plug with 7 connections? 1m long! Jesus what are these guys smoking! I pay lesss for high speed video cables and pro spec audio cables! I get that the tow bar is 4/6 bolts that go into pre drilled holes in the boot, there may or may not be a small plug in socket for electrics (need to check) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southeastpete Posted June 9, 2015 Report Share Posted June 9, 2015 If it's a modern car there will probably be a connection specially for towing, as it may adjust suspension or braking settings. But god knows why it's that much. Tbh I always buy stuff second hand and fit it myself. Prices are ridiculous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted June 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2015 Well found a genuine electric kit for £50 on the bay think ill get that and start emailing breakers for a towbar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rupert Posted June 9, 2015 Report Share Posted June 9, 2015 Depending on vehicle/towbar fitter the vehicle may need some coding. My T5 does for the genuine kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budice Posted June 9, 2015 Report Share Posted June 9, 2015 If its quite a new vehicle, the wiring may be a CanBus system making it a ****** to add electrics hence the price of some wiring kits and fitting charges and like Rupert said it may need coding to the vehicle as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted June 9, 2015 Report Share Posted June 9, 2015 Just did it on a old vehicle ( jimny) was a doddle took more time locating the harness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted June 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2015 Great its a 55 astra estate so hope it doesnt need coding Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted June 9, 2015 Report Share Posted June 9, 2015 Great its a 55 astra estate so hope it doesnt need coding Just google the 55 Astra tow bar fitting and you'll poss find some wiring diagrams ect.I just went on the jimny forum and there was loads of stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carman06 Posted June 9, 2015 Report Share Posted June 9, 2015 I fitted a detachable Westfalia tow bar to my astra 54 reg. Wiring kit wise I bought the dedicated wiring kit because I had the rear fuse box on left side of boot. It was a simple plug in job. No programming required unless you want the symbol to come on dash or you have rear parking sensors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landy george Posted June 10, 2015 Report Share Posted June 10, 2015 I've just done my Honda accord on a 57 plate. They wanted over £100 for the harness Lucky it didn't need coding Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medic1281 Posted June 10, 2015 Report Share Posted June 10, 2015 I just paid a fortune to have a detachable tow bar put on my golf, I was gutted when I saw how easy it was to fit. However it did need coding which is one thing I couldn't do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davie_M Posted June 10, 2015 Report Share Posted June 10, 2015 would a 54 plate grand vitara have a plug in loom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubble Posted June 10, 2015 Report Share Posted June 10, 2015 the can-bus suggestion is my take on the problem also the newer cars can detect when a bulb has blown, adding another bulb to the circuit messes with this system, hence the coding issues but...... you can get a generic relay box that senses the relevant circuit and then uses a relay to operate the trailer light, the relay box is fed with a separate [to canbus] supply, i.e. direct from the battery / cigarette lighter etc etc had a few done by non franchised guy's but...... I don't do them myself because if you screw up a modern car it may have to go back to the main dealer to be unwound also the 'professionals ' solder wires they don't 'scotch lock' them regds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted June 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2015 also the 'professionals ' solder wires they don't 'scotch lock' them regds I can solder (Or get the apprentice too ) I understand the use of a relay (this evening i think i will pull boot apart and see if i can find the plugin point) but also dont understand the cost associated.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medic1281 Posted June 10, 2015 Report Share Posted June 10, 2015 The cost is extortionate for no valid reason other than fear of a diy job. If it costs a lot then people assume it's difficult. I'm really peed off that I employed people to do mine after seeing what they actually did. To the point that I showed them how to do it when it wouldn't fit straight away!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Passionforangling Posted June 10, 2015 Report Share Posted June 10, 2015 I recently had a tow bar fitted at a reasonable price. One of the reasons I paid was to get a receipt for the work and electrics because I was told that diy fitting of tow bar electrics would probably invalidate my car warranty issued by the dealer if anything subsequently went wrong such as fire. I don't know if this is actually true but I didn't want to risk it on a fairly expensive vehicle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 Fit one to my 2004 suzuki and had to fit a bypass relay unit which SOUNDS daunting, but was straight forward enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davie_M Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 Fit one to my 2004 suzuki and had to fit a bypass relay unit which SOUNDS daunting, but was straight forward enough. Can you give me abit more info Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted June 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2015 I recently had a tow bar fitted at a reasonable price. One of the reasons I paid was to get a receipt for the work and electrics because I was told that diy fitting of tow bar electrics would probably invalidate my car warranty issued by the dealer if anything subsequently went wrong such as fire. I don't know if this is actually true but I didn't want to risk it on a fairly expensive vehicle Unless it was a factory spec towbar and the fault was caused by the tow bar was fitted by a dealer I would expect any fault caused by towbar not to be covered by manufacturer warranty. Fortunately that isn't a consideration for me it's 4 bolts in pre drilled holes and hopefully plug in the wiring kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted June 14, 2015 Report Share Posted June 14, 2015 Can you give me abit more info Cheers You wire a relay through a fuse to the battery. Your wiring goes to the harness as before, but it uses the feed from the lights as a switch, and draws the power from the battery instead of the lighting circuit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubble Posted June 15, 2015 Report Share Posted June 15, 2015 the commercial tow bar fitters all use these relays, they are in a match box shaped box, about £20 have a look on eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal-7-Way-Bypass-Relay-Towing-Electrics-Towbar-Wiring-/270633362973?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3f0301661d regds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davie_M Posted June 15, 2015 Report Share Posted June 15, 2015 Thank mate couldnt be simpler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.