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Topic: Insignia - Towbar

RogietMND

13/4/2015 at 3:16pm
Location: Rogiet
Outfit: Bailey and Hyundai

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I was contemplating putting a towbar on our new to us Vauxhall Insignia (currently tow with our Hyundai) but found the cost for fixed flange with dedicated electrics alot more than I'd ever paid for our detachable towbars on Hyundai & Mondeo ?

That aside, discovered by accident due to a rattle that the car actually has the main bulk of the towbar fitted and the electrics are cable tied within the bumper cut underneath - hence the rattle - seems the neck but has been unbolted and removed.

So my question is, can I get the 'neck' attachment and ball for a Witter towbar from anywhere ?? and also, am I correct in assuming I can choose fixed, swan or detachable to simply bolt back onto the main part of the towbar ??

Any ideas or advice ??

Rob and Tina

13/4/2015 at 4:53pm
Location: Royal Forest of Dean
Outfit: Swift Major 4SB

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I have a Witter detachable tow ball left over from our old car but the receiver was still bolted to the car when it was traded in. If you just need the towball that piece is easily available (but quite expensive) but I'm not sure that parts are interchangeable between the different types of bar.

I think your friendly local Witter specialist may be worth a visit to find out what your options are unless there are any part numbers on the brackets to help identify what sort of towbar you have.

Whereabouts in the country are you? Somebody may be able to suggest a local fitter who may help.

Rob

billy

13/4/2015 at 5:00pm
Location: North Essex
Outfit: Caravelair Alba 400

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Presumably you mean its a fixed towbar that has had neck removed? If you bought the car secondhand off a dealer recently he might still have part in his scrap bin so worth an inquiry. Even if you have to buy a whole new towbar just to get the part its still a result because its cheaper than fitting a whole new towar & electrics. I guess contact a Witter supplier & go from there.

RogietMND

13/4/2015 at 5:33pm
Location: Rogiet
Outfit: Bailey and Hyundai

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Thanks for the replies, bought the car recently, only trouble is I scoured the country as wanted a very low millage for my budget so would probably cost more in fuel than buying the complete towbar.

Just curious if spare parts are available as search is drawing blanks.

looking at Witter fitting instructions, the cross bar and electrics are in place and then it's just the neck kit I need (& my understanding on neck kit is that it can be any variant, fixed, swan etc based on what came in the box for my last 2 witter towbars).

Thanks again

RogietMND

13/4/2015 at 5:38pm
Location: Rogiet
Outfit: Bailey and Hyundai

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and as Rob suggested, think a trip to my local witter specialist is worth a try.

I'm near Caldicot (S. wales) so Avon and Newport are my best bet, know the main ones, any 'local' suggestions welcome.

Rob and Tina

13/4/2015 at 5:49pm
Location: Royal Forest of Dean
Outfit: Swift Major 4SB

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So you're fairly local to me then. There is a firm in Newport but as I'm still waiting for them to come back to me with a quote I can't say how helpful they are (I've been waiting 4 years and we got rid of the car 18 months ago). If you are in Bristol I'd speak to Britannia, they were always helpful in the past but I'm not sure if they fit Witter.

Rob

billy

13/4/2015 at 6:28pm
Location: North Essex
Outfit: Caravelair Alba 400

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Can you find a plate with model number on the part of the towbar still in place? If you can do that then probably easiest would be to order a new towbar then the parts you need including correct nuts/bolts will all be there. Is it this one?

RogietMND

14/4/2015 at 8:42am
Location: Rogiet
Outfit: Bailey and Hyundai

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Thanks for the replies all, much appreciated. Had the illusion that Witter may just sell the parts as had often thought what would happen if I forgot to lock the detachable and it got taken.

Billy - Looks like it would be that one in my opinion - just the swan neck & bolts missing - I've looked at PF Jones (where I've bought my last 2) and the fixed flange and detachable was similar (see links for images)

http://www.pfjones.co.uk/vauxhall-insignia-hatchback-2009-on-fixed-flange-tow-bar.html

http://www.pfjones.co.uk/vauxhall-insignia-hatchback-2009-on-detachable-tow-bar.html

Rob - I originally got a quote from Newport before discovering car had the crossbar & elecs - they were quite quick but expensive in my opinion - you've probably saved a few quid.

As it'll be an occasional towcar think I'll just buy the full towbar on ebay when I've identified the plate as £112 seems like a good price - just wandered if you could just buy the bits needed but seems like I can't......... so thanks again for helping me out on this one

RogietMND

14/4/2015 at 3:01pm
Location: Rogiet
Outfit: Bailey and Hyundai

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PS Rob - yes very local, often visit Whitemead at Parkend as it's 30mins away from traffic on a friday evening

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