Towbar - any advise in Ireland?

[bib]

Hi all,

We are looking to buy a lightweight 3 berth caravan with MPTLM of 750kg. We have a toyota Rav4 2.0l diesel and we are looking to install a towbar on it.

We got a quote of 1125 euro for a fixed towbar and 1435 euro for a detachable one from Toyota dealership.

We got a quote from towbar.ie for 750 euro for towbar and 7 PIN plug and 900 euro for towbar with 13 Pin plug(aditional to the 7PIN)


My first question, is it advisable to have the towbar installed through Toyota dealerships, or is just fine through other companies? Anybody had any experience with towbar.ie?

Also, as per my understanding the 7 PIN plug will only send enough power for caravan signaling, braking etc, which is legal requirement, while the 13 PIN (through an adaptor) will be used to supply the caravan with power for appliances.

What would be advisable here? To just install the 7PIN plug, or both?

Caravan has a 13 pin connector

Many thanks

 

[otherclive]

Most main dealers use a local towbar fitting company. I’ve never used a main dealer and always used a local NTTA company generally approved by the towbar manufacturer. I’ve had Witter and Brink but over recent years other companies have joined the market. All towbars have to be typed approved for the vehicle.

Some more modern cars have to be recoded for the electric systems to accept the towbar caravan electric. Towbar fitters can often do this but some will require the car to be recoded by the dealership

Order a specific electrical harness rather than generic as modern cars have electronics can be sensitive. The day I changed to a 13 pin connector was a highlight of my caravan ownership. It does everything and much more reliable. Make sure the towbar fitter wires it for battery charging and fridge. You may not require them for your first micro caravan but subsequent vans could benefit.

Trailer Parts & Accessories in Ireland | NTTA Directory

NTTA UK directory of Trailer Parts & Accessories in Ireland from suppliers of trailer parts & accessories, wheels, suspension, hitches & more

www.ntta.co.uk

 

[Jcloughie]

Get a 13 pin socket on the car. More versatile, secure and trouble free.

John

 

[ProfJohnL]

Do make sure you specify that you want the auxiliary feeds for the caravan fridge and battery recharging.

Toyota dealerships will charge a premium to fit the tow bar (even if they use another company to do it) so better to go to a registered fitter.

 

[audiorob]

Have a 13 pin fitted to the car - it is an either / or so you will not have both fitted to the car. In any event the 13 pin is much less problematic in use than the 7 pin- with a twist collar to secure it, and is now the standard caravan fitment.
The choice between a fixed and detachable is purely aesthetics and I have always been happy with my fixed swan neck from a ‘fit on the drive’ local company (East Midlands area).

 

[GUMPY]

We have 2003 RAV4 with a fixed towbar, because of the design of the rear door when the door is open the towbar sticks out a long way. It has to to clear the door when it's shut.
I went for fixed cos I was being cheap, my knees and legs tell me I should have gone for removable. I've got used to it but it's taken eight years.

 

[Beachball]

Another one for a 13pin socket for car we went for that our caravan was 13pin it makes life easier .

 

[bib]

Do make sure you specify that you want the auxiliary feeds for the caravan fridge and battery recharging.

Toyota dealerships will charge a premium to fit the tow bar (even if they use another company to do it) so better to go to a registered fitter.

That s a good one.

 

[Buckman]

We have 2003 RAV4 with a fixed towbar, because of the design of the rear door when the door is open the towbar sticks out a long way. It has to to clear the door when it's shut.
I went for fixed cos I was being cheap, my knees and legs tell me I should have gone for removable. I've got used to it but it's taken eight years.

We have always had the detachable tow ball coupling, but with age etc on our last vehicle we decided to go for the fixed and no more crawling around on wet grass to fit the detachable to hook up.

 

[Dustydog]

Another vote for using an Independent tow bar fitter . 13 pin and live feeds as described in earlier posts.
Plus ensure they install a fused live feed on the appropriate pin for the ATC should your caravan come so equipped, or for the future.

Not sure about your car insurance arrangements in Eire but here we take the precaution of telling our Insurers we are having a tow bar fitted .