Tow bar

Beerbaron · 21 Apr 2013 at 11:42

I am looking to get a tow bar for my girlfriends car for a bike rack. Its an Astra SXi 1.4 sporthatch 06 model. I have no idea what would fit. Any recommendations?

Thanks.

jon.bda · 21 Apr 2013 at 12:03

http://www.towsure.com/category/Towbars

vicky953 · 21 Apr 2013 at 18:44

google witter towbars, simple enough to fit yourself.

http://www.witter-towbars.co.uk

usually between 4-6 bolts, quite a simple job

Beerbaron · 21 Apr 2013 at 19:38

Looks like i can get a detachable one for her car. Not too sure how the electrics work and if i have to wire it up.

thanks.

sovietspybob · 21 Apr 2013 at 20:02

I've fitted a detachable witter bar to my Subaru, very sturdy and well designed and i've been very impressed with it.

I'd highly recommend getting 13pin electrics fitted unless your feeling rather quaint and want the old skool 7 pin for reasons known only to yourself.

If your pretty hand with a spanner they're not too bad to fit, again with the electrics i would however advise to avoid the terrible scotch lock things and actually solder your joints as i never trust it otherwise.

Dogbreath · 21 Apr 2013 at 20:22

sovietspybob said:
i would however advise to avoid the terrible scotch lock things and actually solder your joints as i never trust it otherwise.

Scotch locks are the spawn of satan

Zack101 · 21 Apr 2013 at 21:19

sovietspybob said:
I've fitted a detachable witter bar to my Subaru, very sturdy and well designed and i've been very impressed with it.

I'd highly recommend getting 13pin electrics fitted unless your feeling rather quaint and want the old skool 7 pin for reasons known only to yourself.

If your pretty hand with a spanner they're not too bad to fit, again with the electrics i would however advise to avoid the terrible scotch lock things and actually solder your joints as i never trust it otherwise.

No point fitting 13 pin electrics if all he is ever going to put on it is a bike rack.

Beerbaron · 21 Apr 2013 at 21:39

it will only be for a bike rack

Zack101 · 21 Apr 2013 at 21:44

No point then it's extra cost and extra work for something you will never use.
However "quaint" it may be 7 pin will be fine.

Beerbaron · 14 Jun 2013 at 20:30

I'm still in the market for a tow bar and looking at getting one of these as suggested, Vauxhall Astra MkV Hatchback 04-09 Fixed Flange Towbar
and fit a bike rack like this; Halfords 4 Bike Tow Bar Cycle Carrier. What is involved in connecting up the electrics as this is an option with the tow bar?

Thanks.

sovietspybob · 14 Jun 2013 at 22:07

It depends on how confident you are with electrics, i did mine in about 45 minutes with soldering and heat shrinking all the connections.

Some cars have a multi plug type connection already there usually by one of the rear lights that would connect up to the OEM supplied tow bar kit, if that's the case its a super easy job to splice into that. Otherwise its just a matter of tapping into the relevant wires coming from the light clusters.

Cupra · 14 Jun 2013 at 22:12

You will need electrics with almost all bike racks as well as a number plate.

Firestar_3x · 14 Jun 2013 at 22:17

Why don't you throw the bikes on the roof instead? Cheaper, easier and means you can still open and access the boot.

Beerbaron · 14 Jun 2013 at 22:47

i would prefer the bikes on the back for longer journeys. i will check in the boot/rear lights for a plug.

thanks.

Liampope · 15 Jun 2013 at 12:01

Unless you really want a tow bar, why not consider a bike rack that just goes on the hatch and doesn't require a towbar? I successfully drove two bikes to Norway with a rack like that.

Beerbaron · 15 Jun 2013 at 13:50

I have used a hook one before but wasn't too secure.

Maccapacca · 15 Jun 2013 at 15:56

http://www.thule.com/en/gb/products...ture-team-edition-proway-3-7-pin-_-tat_570006

We had an older version of that and it was excellent it tipped down so you could open the boot and you could fit 3 adult and 2 kids bikes in between and was solid, no bouncing you hardly knew it was there.

Beerbaron · 15 Jun 2013 at 22:09

maccapacca said:
http://www.thule.com/en/gb/products...ture-team-edition-proway-3-7-pin-_-tat_570006

We had an older version of that and it was excellent it tipped down so you could open the boot and you could fit 3 adult and 2 kids bikes in between and was solid, no bouncing you hardly knew it was there.

That looks good. Still not decided yet as realistically I'm only going to have my bike and maybe one other and then my mate has a tow bar already.

#Chri5# · 15 Jun 2013 at 22:42

If you value your bikes I wouldn't trust a strap-on carrier. I've also known people go under car-park height barriers with bikes on the roof...

My towbar carrier came with a 13 pin plug. My old Ibiza had a 7 pin plug, so I swapped it over. Then I got my Saab and that had a 13 pin socket so had to buy another plug and swap it again.

Beerbaron · 16 Jun 2013 at 18:57

I have emailed the tow bar company about the use of electrics with my car.

My new bike is Canyon Strike AL 9.0 SL

Tow bar

Tea Drinker