Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums
Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
   Caravans and Caravanning -  Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Towbar on LPG Vectra Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonLouie Lungbubble
25/5/2014 at 4:19pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View Louie Lungbubble's Profile View Profile   Reply to Louie Lungbubble Reply   Quote Louie Lungbubble Quote  
Joined: 23/6/2010

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   5
Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Howdy campers. Wondering if any of you good folk could offer me some advice, please.

Got a 52 plate Vectra C with the factory fit LPG system and would like to fit a towbar.

Fairly handy with the spanners so was intending on fitting myself and getting the wiring done by a pro.

Reading up on fitting instructions it seems to be a case of drilling the dimples in the boot floor to take the bolts but after looking for these dimples today I think the LPG tank might've already taken them up or even be covering them with it's fixing plates as I can't see any which are obvious.

My question is.. Given the positions of the bolts in the pic, can anyone with a towbar equipped Vectra C advise if their fixing points are in the same spot?



Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks - Ian
      

Post last edited on 25/05/2014 18:40:51


PersonGrampian91
25/5/2014 at 10:42pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6893
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Your going to need to undo the LPG tank to see where the hole need to be.

If the tank uses the towbar holes you can go through both. If they dont lift the tank and plates slightly and fit teh towbar bolts then tighten the tank back down over the top of them.

The tank brackets are not a critical dimension or fitting. Its only to stop the tank moving.

Just have a 2nd and 3rd check under and above to make sure you dont have anything in the way when drilling.


PersonDelboya
26/5/2014 at 3:26pm
 Location: Somerset
 Outfit: Hobby 560 Prestige +VW Touareg View Delboya's Profile View Profile   Reply to Delboya Reply   Quote Delboya Quote  
Joined: 03/6/2011

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   267
Site Reviews Total: 11
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 3
Site Nights 2018: 0
The tank will NOT be using the towbar holes. I don't know the Vectra, but I used to be in the Autogas industry, and know the tanks.

I can't tell from the photo if there are any solid pipe connections - if there aren't, you may be lucky and get enough movement in the tank after removing the fixing brackets. Run the tank dry before starting. If there are solid pipe fittings, get the tank removed and later refitted by an autogas fitter - don't try doing this yourself unless you know.

Del


PersonLouie Lungbubble
26/5/2014 at 7:23pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View Louie Lungbubble's Profile View Profile   Reply to Louie Lungbubble Reply   Quote Louie Lungbubble Quote  
Joined: 23/6/2010

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   5
Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Thanks for the replies, gents.

I'll double check but don't think either of the pipes were solid. If it turns out they're not i'll lift the gas tank plates and see what's underneath.

Looking at the size of the area they cover though I'm sceptical There's gonna be a pair of dimples hiding underneath.

Also whilst under the car I don't remember seeing those mounting bolts for the tank protruding through. Do they usually fit a rivnut or something similar Instead of going right through Del?

Cheers. Ian


PersonGrampian91
26/5/2014 at 11:14pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6893
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Rivnuts or some form of captive nuts maybe. Depends on the fitters. And possibly what box of fittings arrived this week.

Its a bit old hat having to drill to fit a towbar though. I dont think i have owned anything from late 90's onwards that didnt have the holes already.


Advertisement



PersonDelboya
29/5/2014 at 3:57pm
 Location: Somerset
 Outfit: Hobby 560 Prestige +VW Touareg View Delboya's Profile View Profile   Reply to Delboya Reply   Quote Delboya Quote  
Joined: 03/6/2011

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   267
Site Reviews Total: 11
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 3
Site Nights 2018: 0
Sorry, Ian - don't know what type of nut/bolt.

Don't know if you have had a go yet, but I think you will be very lucky to move the tank enough even if there are no solid pipes. The filler pipe to the tank, although flexible, is made from a heavy rubber - it has to be to carry a liquid at over 100 psi. Can't see from the photo, but it might be that this pipe does not go through the wall of the spare wheel tray, and you may have sufficient movement. On the other hand, there will (obviously) be a second connection which takes the gas from the tank to the converter, which will be in the engine compartment. In my day, this was a small-bore copper pipe, which in your case would go thru the wall of the spare wheel tray, and along the 'chassis' to the front of the car.

Basically, what I'm saying is that I do not believe it is possible. You will have to disconnect the gas pipes from the tank, and as I said before, don't do this yourself. It won't cost a fortune for a fitter to disconnect then later reconnect the pipes at a local autogas centre.

Del


PersonGrampian91
29/5/2014 at 8:31pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6893
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Both pipes visible in the bottom right corner of the wheel well.

You should have no issues with raising the tank enough to fit your towbar.


PersonDelboya
30/5/2014 at 11:56am
 Location: Somerset
 Outfit: Hobby 560 Prestige +VW Touareg View Delboya's Profile View Profile   Reply to Delboya Reply   Quote Delboya Quote  
Joined: 03/6/2011

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   267
Site Reviews Total: 11
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 3
Site Nights 2018: 0
There should be four things attached to the tank:
1 Filler Hose - this is probably the one on the left in the photo
2 Output pipe to converter
3 Electric connection to the float
4 Pressure release valve.

The ones we used to fit also had an electrical shut-off valve, so that when the ignition was off, the gas could not flow thru the outlet pipe.

Items 2 and 3 are probably within the gaiter which I believe is the lower 'connection' - if so, you will NOT have sufficient movement to get bolts/nuts under the tank.

If you haven't got item 4, please please please do not drive anywhere near me!!
Del


PersonLouie Lungbubble
31/5/2014 at 9:52pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View Louie Lungbubble's Profile View Profile   Reply to Louie Lungbubble Reply   Quote Louie Lungbubble Quote  
Joined: 23/6/2010

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   5
Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
It's factory fit, Del so I'm sure it'll have a 4

Thanks again for all your input gents.

Have since done a bit of Googling and found this pic showing a vectra boot with towbar fitted.



You were right in that the bar won't use he same holes as the tank Del, as these are right out to the sides but if you compare this pic and mine above it looks like my problem now is how far the gas pipes protrude on the other side of the hole through the wheel well as they might foul the fixing plate or drop plate of the towbar underneath.

Will update when I find out.


PersonDelboya
01/6/2014 at 7:29pm
 Location: Somerset
 Outfit: Hobby 560 Prestige +VW Touareg View Delboya's Profile View Profile   Reply to Delboya Reply   Quote Delboya Quote  
Joined: 03/6/2011

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   267
Site Reviews Total: 11
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 3
Site Nights 2018: 0
Ian

Looks like I got hold of the wrong end of the stick. I thought that the fixing bolts for the tow hitch were going UNDER the tank - everything I said was true but largely irrelevant!!

It looks from the photos that you will be OK as far as the fixings are concerned, and I would hazard a guess that the pipes and cables going thru the wall of the well will be well clear.

Sorry to confuse the issue.

Del


Advertisement



PersonLouie Lungbubble
02/6/2014 at 12:11am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View Louie Lungbubble's Profile View Profile   Reply to Louie Lungbubble Reply   Quote Louie Lungbubble Quote  
Joined: 23/6/2010

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   5
Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Wasn't irrelevant info until I realised the bolts weren't actually going to end up under the plates, so no probs Del. Again, all input on this is very welcome.

If the gas pipes on the other side of the well don't look overly intrusive into the space the bar will occupy I might be cheeky and pm someone who's flogging one on ebay to see if I can get measurements of the clear size between the drop plates. I think that's likely to be the thing that catches me out.

Cheers . Ian.



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...

8119 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews] 



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement
Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder