hi guys has anyone bought a tow bar from amazon.looking for a detachable hitch and found a company called AHK-LANDIA from italy selling bars. £104 is a cheap price for a bar to put on my runaround to tow small trailer and bike carrier
The Italian towbar manufacturer probably doesn't use the appropriate grade steel which obviously is reflected in the price plus the towbar should have a plate attached with details of the manufacturer that conforms to UK and EU legislation which is required by law for vehicle insurance purposes also. Any defects in the material and no conforming badge could invalidate your vehicle insurance so what you save on the purchase could end up being an expensive loss if the unfortunate ever happens.
Have you checked that one of these imported towbar meets these legal requirements?
Tango55 last I heard Italy was a member of the EU.
But there again they could have them made in china put CE on them like 90% of the big names in EU including UK,
Then charge you a rip off price to make more profits for less outlay and all with the blessing of our government which give them more tax relief for having done so.
There is a company in Manchester selling Landia gear on e-bay most prob this is Amazon UK suppliers
Just something to consider. Are you planning to fit the towbar yourself?
If not you might struggle to find someone who's prepared to fit it for you. I'd check first before buying one.
Quote: Originally posted by paullus on 06/12/2015
Just something to consider. Are you planning to fit the towbar yourself?
If not you might struggle to find someone who's prepared to fit it for you. I'd check first before buying one.
i am a hgv mech to trade, never had any issues fitting tow bars or sorting electrics.
How much do folks think a bit of mass produced bent steel flat and RHS should cost? If you pay to get a towbar fitted most of the price would be labour particularly in removing trim to connect the electrics.
The tow bar fitters pay even less for their towbars than you would find them on amazon. I bought my last 2 off eBay. The witter towbar for my jeep was £130. As long as they have a type plate and the nose weight rating exceeds or equals that of your car you shouldn't have a problem. Remember the steel section of the towbar is way heavier than your cars floor pan that it bolts to so it won't be the towbar that breaks.
Quote: Originally posted by Baileyjake on 12/12/2015
How much do folks think a bit of mass produced bent steel flat and RHS should cost? If you pay to get a towbar fitted most of the price would be labour particularly in removing trim to connect the electrics.
The tow bar fitters pay even less for their towbars than you would find them on amazon. I bought my last 2 off eBay. The witter towbar for my jeep was £130. As long as they have a type plate and the nose weight rating exceeds or equals that of your car you shouldn't have a problem. Remember the steel section of the towbar is way heavier than your cars floor pan that it bolts to so it won't be the towbar that breaks.
A lot of the cost is in the testing process that is now needed to design and make a tow bar, not just in the "hardware"
And the tow bar on my car is not just a piece of angle iron bolted to the floor pan, but a quite complex steel frame that integrates into the chassis legs of the bodyshell.
And the tow bar on my car is not just a piece of angle iron bolted to the floor pan, but a quite complex steel frame that integrates into the chassis legs of the body shell. the tow bar i bought is the same on a yeti, mounted with 4 bolts, is a box bar with 2 bits of flat bar on either end, ps its for a 13 plate octavia scout. not a very complex bar
as a design engineer i just see standard steel sections welded together that pick up the car manufacturers provided mountings.
its not rocket science and not like developing a new car.
i recon if you went to the manufacturers premises (not the company that markets them) you would be surprised how basic their facilities are (fab shop, powder coating). i am guessing the factor of safety is very high (over engineering)which reduces the necessity for careful product development. i remember i had a tow bar fitted by indespension on a company car. it was in 2003 but back then it cost about £120 all in with electrics.
Quote: Originally posted by tango55 on 03/12/2015
The Italian towbar manufacturer probably doesn't use the appropriate grade steel which obviously is reflected in the price plus the towbar should have a plate attached with details of the manufacturer that conforms to UK and EU legislation which is required by law for vehicle insurance purposes also. Any defects in the material and no conforming badge could invalidate your vehicle insurance so what you save on the purchase could end up being an expensive loss if the unfortunate ever happens.
Have you checked that one of these imported towbar meets these legal requirements?
Rubbish. I wish people wouldn't spread this "invalidating insurance" thing so easily.
Quote: Originally posted by diesel steve on 13/12/2015
the tow bar i bought is the same on a yeti, mounted with 4 bolts, is a box bar with 2 bits of flat bar on either end, ps its for a 13 plate octavia scout. not a very complex bar
Then it is very different to the Westphalia unit fitted to the rear of my Yeti!
You are of course a structural engineer able to design these items?
Quote: Originally posted by LlaniDavis on 14/12/2015
Quote: Originally posted by diesel steve on 13/12/2015the tow bar i bought is the same on a yeti, mounted with 4 bolts, is a box bar with 2 bits of flat bar on either end, ps its for a 13 plate octavia scout. not a very complex bar
Then it is very different to the Westphalia unit fitted to the rear of my Yeti!
You are of course a structural engineer able to design these items?
yes i can design and fabricate due to extensive plant,truck and hgv trailer manufacture and modifications which have to be vosa checked