I was wondering if anyone had recommendation on having a tow bar fitted (a simple one to pop a simple bike rack on). I rang the car dealer and it's very expensive. I can see there's a bit of cutting required underneath to fit. . . any good news stories? or advice?
Malcoms Towbars in Rathmines done a detachable Witter one for me on a GTI a few years back, they done an excellent job on it and once the ball was detached you would have to get down on your hands and knees to see the tiny cut out in the bumper. Of course all car fitments are different but just let them know that you want it as discreet as possible and they will get it spot on. They normally take off the ram bar behind the bumper to attach a new one with the towbar mounts on it, simple enough bolt on bolt off job so no cutting welding or hacking at the chassis or other bits. It was â¬400 all in including electrics and considering the Thule version was â¬650-â¬700 to buy alone I think it was a steal. You could pick up a cheapo non detachable one with all the same safety ratings for about â¬150 and fit it yourself but I dont think you can beat the detachable version on a nice car and save yourself some valuable biking time aswell.
I've just changed cars and decided the tow bar is the way to go-Malcolms in Rathmines charging â¬500 fitted for detachable swan neck
as apposed to spending 150- 250 on new roof bars (plus cost of any extra bike holders to fit onto roof bars)
reasons for tow bar:
keeps dirty bikes away from car roof
easier to put bike(s) on car
Can drive under barriers to carparks
better fuel economy
quicker than roof bars or even strap mounted bike holders to take holder and tow bar on and off
Depending on bike holder - you can hold 4 bikes on tow bar compared to 3 on roof
you look like a pro with them on the tow bar
people can see, admire and envy your bike more when its on the towbar as its side on to the car behind
Harri. I done the same when I got my car fitted a tow bar a few weeks later. Same reasons as above. Driving under barriers better fuel economy and easy to take the whole bike rack of when you don't need it. I went for a original towbar and got it fitted by a dealer. I didn't want to mess with French electrics and the wires are fitted to the cars ecu . Cost a bit more but had no issues since.
Harri. I done the same when I got my car fitted a tow bar a few weeks later. Same reasons as above. Driving under barriers better fuel economy and easy to take the whole bike rack of when you don't need it. I went for a original towbar and got it fitted by a dealer. I didn't want to mess with French electrics and the wires are fitted to the cars ecu . Cost a bit more but had no issues since.
Got a permanent one on the GTD still goes like fcuk I can't see it when im driving and it was less expensive. Only thing to watch for is exhaust melting tyre. Happened me before and very loud bang
Rob - yes the Peugeot - they quoted 660 for the bar! (with all the electrics) Rudolph - I don't think i'll be going for a bell's and whistles electric connection model. Terry - that's funny - I've heard of that happening to quite a few people!
Rob - yes the Peugeot - they quoted 660 for the bar! (with all the electrics) Rudolph - I don't think i'll be going for a bell's and whistles electric connection model. Terry - that's funny - I've heard of that happening to quite a few people!
I was wondering if anyone had recommendation on having a tow bar fitted (a simple one to pop a simple bike rack on). I rang the car dealer and it's very expensive. I can see there's a bit of cutting required underneath to fit. . . any good news stories? or advice?
Malcoms Towbars in Rathmines done a detachable Witter one for me on a GTI a few years back, they done an excellent job on it and once the ball was detached you would have to get down on your hands and knees to see the tiny cut out in the bumper. Of course all car fitments are different but just let them know that you want it as discreet as possible and they will get it spot on. They normally take off the ram bar behind the bumper to attach a new one with the towbar mounts on it, simple enough bolt on bolt off job so no cutting welding or hacking at the chassis or other bits. It was â¬400 all in including electrics and considering the Thule version was â¬650-â¬700 to buy alone I think it was a steal. You could pick up a cheapo non detachable one with all the same safety ratings for about â¬150 and fit it yourself but I dont think you can beat the detachable version on a nice car and save yourself some valuable biking time aswell.
I've just changed cars and decided the tow bar is the way to go-Malcolms in Rathmines charging â¬500 fitted for detachable swan neck
as apposed to spending 150- 250 on new roof bars (plus cost of any extra bike holders to fit onto roof bars)
reasons for tow bar:
keeps dirty bikes away from car roof
easier to put bike(s) on car
Can drive under barriers to carparks
better fuel economy
quicker than roof bars or even strap mounted bike holders to take holder and tow bar on and off
Depending on bike holder - you can hold 4 bikes on tow bar compared to 3 on roof
you look like a pro with them on the tow bar
people can see, admire and envy your bike more when its on the towbar as its side on to the car behind
Harri. I done the same when I got my car fitted a tow bar a few weeks later. Same reasons as above. Driving under barriers better fuel economy and easy to take the whole bike rack of when you don't need it. I went for a original towbar and got it fitted by a dealer. I didn't want to mess with French electrics and the wires are fitted to the cars ecu . Cost a bit more but had no issues since.
Harri. I done the same when I got my car fitted a tow bar a few weeks later. Same reasons as above. Driving under barriers better fuel economy and easy to take the whole bike rack of when you don't need it. I went for a original towbar and got it fitted by a dealer. I didn't want to mess with French electrics and the wires are fitted to the cars ecu . Cost a bit more but had no issues since.
Got a permanent one on the GTD still goes like fcuk I can't see it when im driving and it was less expensive. Only thing to watch for is exhaust melting tyre. Happened me before and very loud bang
Rob - yes the Peugeot - they quoted 660 for the bar! (with all the electrics) Rudolph - I don't think i'll be going for a bell's and whistles electric connection model. Terry - that's funny - I've heard of that happening to quite a few people!
Rob - yes the Peugeot - they quoted 660 for the bar! (with all the electrics) Rudolph - I don't think i'll be going for a bell's and whistles electric connection model. Terry - that's funny - I've heard of that happening to quite a few people!
