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Subject Topic: Halfords Towbars
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PersonNerd
21/1/2018 at 4:36pm
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Hi I’m just looking to getting a towbar fitted to my grand c-max and wondered if anyone has used Halfords to fit a towbar? Looks like they fit Brink towbars are these any good? I’m looking at the detachable swan neck. Also it says they will progam the elections into the cars computer does this mean it’s vehicle specific wiring or some clever universal wire kit?


PersonGeoff48
21/1/2018 at 4:54pm
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Brink are a good manufacturer of towbars originally formed in the Netherlands in 1903, for a short period in its recent history became part of the Thule group but are now once again under their own name a member of the Brink Group. The electrics can be either vehicle specific or universal, check using a web search to see if there are any problems using a universal kit for your vehicle. Have you obtained estimates from any other supplier? I usually get three estimates from local and mobile fitters and use members of the NTTA.


PersonNerd
21/1/2018 at 5:19pm
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Ok good to know they use a good quality brand, I have had a few quotes and Halfords are coming out as most reasonable but just want to make sure I won’t be paying for it in the long run


PersonFrancais
21/1/2018 at 5:25pm
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Watch out with Halfords as the quote may have T&C's attached.

I can get 25% discount through family at Halfords, but it still worked out a £100 cheaper to get my VW Golf (company car) Brink Fixed Swan Neck with VS 13 pin dedicated can-bus electrics done for £350 at Indespension Trailers Bolton.

Post last edited on 21/01/2018 18:38:59


PersonGrampian91
21/1/2018 at 6:39pm
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Are you sure Halfords are reasonable? Their hourly rate is a lot higher than any other garage near me.

Brink, Westfalia, Witter, Towsure towbars are all much of a muchness.
Unless your buying cheap imported towbars which have appeared onling over the past couple of years then there should be no issues.

What have you been quoted to supply and to fit the towbar?

Dedicated electrics or bypass relay? Program the electrics will be for canbus cars, depends how old your C-Max is.. But what that should do is enable the towing warning on the dash if it has one and disable the rear fog lights and parking sensors etc, so you dont get a constant tone when reversing.

If you have none of the above then it wont apply.


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PersonNerd
21/1/2018 at 7:59pm
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Halfords have quoted £522 for a detachable swan neck with 13 pin wiring kit. There is no selection for universal or dedicated for the wiring.

Others so far have quoted £600 - £650 for detachable swan neck with 13 pin socket BUT this is definitely with a dedicated wiring system. If any one has any recommendations for the Grantham/East Midlands area then I am all ears. Im still asking for quotes.

Its a 2014 model and I'm pretty sure it uses a canbus system as it does give me feedback when a blub has gone out.

Just also noticed that Halfords offer an addon for an "Extension kit continuous switched power supply" for £115.20. the description is: "Please, select this option to prevent emptying your battery when your car is connected to your caravan and stands still for a longer period.". I would have thought a system that is linked to the on-board computer would not allow this to happen?


PersonGeoff48
21/1/2018 at 8:17pm
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A detachable swan neck will be dearer than a fixed swan neck - do you need a detachable? Can't think I've ever left the car hooked up for more than a minute or two its one of the first things I disconnect.


Personamara 520
21/1/2018 at 8:42pm
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I had a Brink detachable towbar fitted to my CX 5 last year and it was £400 including 13 pin electrics (dedicated wiring), however it was fitted at the supplying dealer by their recommended independent fitter. I paid the dealer not the fitter as the car was brand new, maybe I got a good deal as I bought the car new and had the towbar fitted prior to collection.
Feels very sturdy but takes a bit of pracrice to fit in place, on mine the plug folds up under the bumper when not in use, all in all a very neat installation as nothing can be seen when the swan neck has been removed and socket folded up behind the bumper


PersonNerd
21/1/2018 at 8:43pm
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Don’t think I technically need to detachable one the rear parking sensors are far away enough to not interfere. Main reason I wanted one was so my 3 year old son didn’t run into it.


PersonGeoff48
21/1/2018 at 8:49pm
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Its up to you but I'd request quotes for a fixed swan neck towbar for universal and dedicated electrics.


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PersonNerd
21/1/2018 at 8:52pm
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I thought if the vehicle had a canbus system it had to have dedicated wiring?


PersonGeoff48
21/1/2018 at 9:17pm
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Not always, a dedicated kit is designed for your car, on a universal some electrics may not work. Canbus started with Mercs in 1991.

Post last edited on 21/01/2018 22:27:30


Persondiesel steve
21/1/2018 at 9:30pm
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HALFORDS CANT FIT A BULB CORRECTLY SO WOULD NOT TRUST THEM WITH FITTING A TOW BAR AND WIRING. ITS JUST KIDS IN OUR LOCAL SHOP.


PersonDarrenElbrow
21/1/2018 at 10:14pm
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We had a detachable tow bar fitted by our local tow bar specialist, was £400 with single 7 pin .


Personbobmel
21/1/2018 at 10:52pm
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I would use a dedicated tow bar fitter

-------------
Robert (BoB)


PersonPhishing
22/1/2018 at 12:08am
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The coding they talk about is to tell the vehicle you have a towbar fitted and turn on certain features. The body controller has to be configured to 13pin fitment or it wont work.
By stating that they will code the vehicle after fitting does imply that it is a dedicated wiring system, and for the price you are looking at it should be.

From PFJones website, the dedicated wiring kit is £170, the bar is £175 (retail) so you are looking at the rest as Labour.This is about 5 hours labour which is fair but not cheap.



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