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: Wobbly Tow Bar
Page:  1  2 Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonFlib1
03/8/2017 at 11:32pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View Flib1's Profile View Profile   Reply to Flib1 Reply   Quote Flib1 Quote  
Joined: 03/8/2017

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   12
Site Reviews Total: 0
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
Hello everyone, sorry this is my first post instead of an introduction but I'm in a bit of a quandary with my towbar and we're going away in a week and we'll need to tow something, so I'd like to get a second opinion on something from people who may know better.
I've recently ordered and fitted a new tow bar. Unfortunately on fitting, we found that the tow ball flange isn't welded quite straight onto the neck of the towbar. The neck then bolts onto the main part of the towbar.
When the tow ball is on the head of it sits off the the nearside of the vehicle by two or three centimetres from centre.
I've asked the shop I bought it from, if they could just swap the part that's not straight but so far they've tried to say it's fine and it's 'just cosmetic' or I can send the whole thing back for a refund (although most if it is fitted). In fact they're being actively difficult about it to be honest.
The bar seems to be a copy of a Witter so thought about getting a replacement for this part but it's £95 just for this little bit.
So, I just wanted to ask, is it worth risking towing with a component that's off centre and could the integrity of it be in question (and would it be an issue for the MOT now)?
And if it's not a great idea to fit it, where might be a good idea to source a replacement bit from or could anyone recommend a decent tow bar retailer?
Thanks for any input you can give.


PersonGrampian91
03/8/2017 at 11:42pm
 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
Sounds like a piece of junk, return it and get a branded one.


PersonFlib1
04/8/2017 at 12:01am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View Flib1's Profile View Profile   Reply to Flib1 Reply   Quote Flib1 Quote  
Joined: 03/8/2017

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   12
Site Reviews Total: 0
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
Knowing what I do now, I certainly would have done (although this one is supposed to be a fairly 'reputable' brand from a big supplier).
Also it seems a shame to have to remove the already fitted bar and the underseal I put on but I suppose it might be for the best if this is a bit ropey.
I'm a bit worried though, that even if I do send it back, the supplier will be take ages, or be difficult, about refunding me, given their behaviour up to yet.
Would Witter be a decent brand to look at instead?


PersonGrampian91
04/8/2017 at 9:09am
 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
What brand is it?

Witter, Westfalia, Anker, Towtrust, Brink and a few others. Never had an issue with any of them.

Always fitted properly with no messing.


PersonFlib1
04/8/2017 at 9:16am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View Flib1's Profile View Profile   Reply to Flib1 Reply   Quote Flib1 Quote  
Joined: 03/8/2017

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   12
Site Reviews Total: 0
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 from Pfjones and it's their own brand bar.
I thought with them being quite a big company it might go more smoothly.
Never have I been so wrong.
I'll look at a Witter bar then from another company.
I'm guessing the crush spacers in the chassis might prove difficult to get back out?


Advertisement



Persontango55
04/8/2017 at 10:49am
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 450 View tango55's Profile View Profile   Reply to tango55 Reply   Quote tango55 Quote  
Joined: 15/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   9587
Site Reviews Total: 23
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 3  
Site Reviews 2021: 1  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 4  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 11
Site Nights 2021: 3
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 24
Site Nights 2018: 0
You haven't said what make and model of vehicle the towbar was fitted to and there's nothing in your profile to identify this either. However, after looking at their website there are alternative brands but without knowing the above info it is difficult to offer advice. Here is the link below to assist the answers received from all the above posts too.


P F Jones Towbars


PersonFlib1
04/8/2017 at 10:55am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View Flib1's Profile View Profile   Reply to Flib1 Reply   Quote Flib1 Quote  
Joined: 03/8/2017

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   12
Site Reviews Total: 0
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
Sorry, I didn't realise you could put your vehicle in the profile.
It's for a Ford Mondeo mk3 estate. I think I'm going to go for the Witter F104a but just deciding on which company to get it from.
I will never use Pfjones again even if their products were half the price of the competitors.
They're utterly useless, it's rare a company is that bad at resolving problems. Or even replying to simple questions.


PersonFlib1
04/8/2017 at 10:57am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View Flib1's Profile View Profile   Reply to Flib1 Reply   Quote Flib1 Quote  
Joined: 03/8/2017

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   12
Site Reviews Total: 0
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
I've had a look at editing the profile, but there's only the option to change password or email address on the mobile friendly page.


Personcheckley1973
04/8/2017 at 10:59am
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: Sterling Eccles Sport 636 View checkley1973's Profile View Profile   Reply to checkley1973 Reply   Quote checkley1973 Quote  
Joined: 29/8/2012

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1698
Site Reviews Total: 6
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
Play them at their own game. Order another one, swap the part you need and then return the 2nd towbar with the wonky weld to them for a full refund. You have 28 days to return anything bought online


Personblueexpo97
04/8/2017 at 11:08am
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View blueexpo97's Profile View Profile   Reply to blueexpo97 Reply   Quote blueexpo97 Quote  
Joined: 07/2/2009

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   9851
Site Reviews Total: 24
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
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: 2
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Quote: Originally posted by Flib1 on 04/8/2017
I've had a look at editing the profile, but there's only the option to change password or email address on the mobile friendly page.



You need to use a 'real' computer to edit your profile.



-------------
XVI yes?

As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.


Advertisement



PersonFlib1
04/8/2017 at 11:08am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View Flib1's Profile View Profile   Reply to Flib1 Reply   Quote Flib1 Quote  
Joined: 03/8/2017

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   12
Site Reviews Total: 0
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
Actually that's a fantastic idea Checkley I didn't think of that.
I should have done that straight away. They'll probably be suspicious of it now though and be even more difficult (if that's even possible), or knowing my luck the replacement one will be bent in the other direction 🤔 Particularly as their first message contained the sentence, "When the flange heads go on they are usually welded which gives a slight variation anyway" which is perhaps code for 'they're all a bit wonky' 😁
It's certainly something to think about.


PersonFlib1
04/8/2017 at 11:10am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View Flib1's Profile View Profile   Reply to Flib1 Reply   Quote Flib1 Quote  
Joined: 03/8/2017

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   12
Site Reviews Total: 0
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
Quote: Originally posted by blueexpo97 on 04/8/2017
Quote: Originally posted by Flib1 on 04/8/2017
I've had a look at editing the profile, but there's only the option to change password or email address on the mobile friendly page.



You need to use a 'real' computer to edit your profile.




I do remember still having one of those. I think it's coal fired though 😝


PersonDarrenElbrow
04/8/2017 at 1:56pm
 Location: Poole Dorset
 Outfit: Conway Challenger 1997 View DarrenElbrow's Profile View Profile   Reply to DarrenElbrow Reply   Quote DarrenElbrow Quote  
Joined: 30/7/2016

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   188
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
Just get a friend to order another tow bar and then send it back with your faulty part


PersonFlib1
04/8/2017 at 2:07pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View Flib1's Profile View Profile   Reply to Flib1 Reply   Quote Flib1 Quote  
Joined: 03/8/2017

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   12
Site Reviews Total: 0
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
That is a good idea. One slight drawback is that it requires a friend 😁


Personbirdman101
04/8/2017 at 4:59pm
 Location: Milton Keynes
 Outfit: 2023Archway Woodford View birdman101's Profile View Profile   Reply to birdman101 Reply   Quote birdman101 Quote  
Joined: 30/8/2011

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2693
Site Reviews Total: 0
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
Quote: Originally posted by Flib1 on 04/8/2017
That is a good idea. One slight drawback is that it requires a friend 😁


What happens when the second one arrives wonky.Cut your losses and order a decent make such as Witter.I have always fitted my own tow bars for 45 years now and never had a problem with a Witter bar.


PersonGrampian91
04/8/2017 at 10:40pm
 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
Now you mentioned the car is the towbar fitted into the chassis keyslots properly?

Spacer tubes sitting square?



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

Prev       Next

Jump To Page:  1  2

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...

5111 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