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Topic: Help with Towbar for Freelander

Glampers Anonymous

07/5/2013 at 11:07am
Location: Essex
Outfit: Sterling Eccles Ruby & Outwell Nevada

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Hi all

We've just bought our first caravan - extremely excited of course! It's a Sterling Eccles Ruby 2010.

We have a Freelander 2 and need a towbar fitted before we can collect the Caravan. I've rung several fitters and getting prices from £295 - £525. Huge difference in prices and I'm confused !!

Is there anyone that can give me some advice on exactly what I need to ask for ???

Many thanks in advance

Grampian91

07/5/2013 at 12:39pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram

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Any towbar will do the job.

Fixed flange usually the cheapest and with the most options for bolting extras on like stabilisers and bike racks etc.

Swan neck towbar is like a ball on a stick shaped like a swans neck, Not as bulky as the flanged bar.

Detachable towbars, Usually the most expensive, When your not towing you fold the electrics away and remove the towbar. So nothing is visible when not towing.

They all do the job exactly the same, None of them tow any better or any worse.

Just make sure the caravan has a 13 pin socket and tell them thats what you want when you book it.

LlaniDavis

07/5/2013 at 1:12pm
Location: Llanidloes Powys
Outfit: Skoda Yeti SEL4x4 +Bailey Ranger 460-4

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And make sure they fit the proper LR wiring kit, not an "after market" one. It simply plugs in to a socket behind the trim on the rear passenger side in the boot.

pete1nlancs

08/5/2013 at 12:49pm
Location: Milnrow Lancashire
Outfit: Conway Challenger 1998

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Hello glampers,

A Witter flange towbar (always visible) is £85
A Witter detachable towbar (removeble swan neck) is £155.04

The 'plug in' wiring system for both the 12n and 12s system is £140.40

If you need a 13 pin system, its the same price as the 12n/s system.

http://www.pfjones.co.uk/witter/R40.pdf

The above link takes you to the fitting instructions for the towbars, have a look and see if you think you could do it yourself.

I do fit towbars and electrics, but I live quite a way from you, but £500 seems excessive for supplying and fitting a towbar and electrics.

Hope this helps

-------------
The Happy Camper ;oD

Petemate

08/5/2013 at 2:53pm
Location: Kennington OXFORD
Outfit: 2005 Eccles Sterling Topaz 2 berth

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I can confirm from personal experience that P F Jones are terrific guys to deal with. Their communication and assistance is excellent. I reckon anyone with even a smidgeon of DIY/mechanical experience can fit a tow bar especially if one has the right items.

pete1nlancs

09/5/2013 at 8:20am
Location: Milnrow Lancashire
Outfit: Conway Challenger 1998

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Personally, I've never bought anything from PF Jones. I went last weekend for an electrics kit for a job and they were shut. I do send people here who wish to buy their own tow bars for me to fit. Never had a problem either!

-------------
The Happy Camper ;oD

Glampers Anonymous

09/5/2013 at 8:58am
Location: Essex
Outfit: Sterling Eccles Ruby & Outwell Nevada

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Thanks for your advice all.

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