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 fitting help please! Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonHaka007
16/8/2018 at 9:04pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View Haka007's Profile View Profile   Reply to Haka007 Reply   Quote Haka007 Quote  
Joined: 11/6/2016

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   15
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
Hi all, i have fitted my own tow bar about 4 years ago, i only intended on towing a small trailer so got single elecs however there was 1 bolt which fastens the trailer to the car through the crash bar, it kept spinning and wouldnt tighten. Seen as it was just one i left it as in only going to be doing tip runs etc.
Now i want to tow a caravan, added the electrics, now i re visit that bolt, replaced with new and the same...checked the others and the same.!! There are 6 m10 bolts which fasten from the back straight into the car all just spinning.
My options are
1- rethread damaged nuts see if that works.
2- screw in some threaded inserts and then fasten the bolts.
3- dismantle tow bar and sell up?!
What would you do in this situation?
Hopefully someone can help!

2010 Citroen C4GP 1.6 Diesel


PersonRob and Tina
16/8/2018 at 10:12pm
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
 Outfit:  Swift Major 4SB View Rob and Tina's Profile View Profile   Reply to Rob and Tina Reply   Quote Rob and Tina Quote  
Joined: 17/10/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3375
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'm wondering how heavy the caravan is as the towing limits on that car are fairly low. Most people have a 7 seater due to the size of their family and with a fully loaded car there are not many caravans that would cater for that size of family and be permitted to be towed by that car. It may be that you need to change the car anyway to cope with the caravan, in which case you could just remove the towbar and save yourself the trouble of sorting out the problem.


Rob


PersonHaka007
16/8/2018 at 10:36pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View Haka007's Profile View Profile   Reply to Haka007 Reply   Quote Haka007 Quote  
Joined: 11/6/2016

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   15
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
Yes i believe that is the solution, just shame to admit it really! I cannot sell the car with faulty tow bar so will remove it. We have been looking at caravans of a 4 berth with low weight. Was actually planning to go see an elddis this weekend...but if we find a better tow car that will open up more choices for us as i do not have a trailer license.
Thank you very much for your advice! I think i knew the answer, just wanted to have another opinion!
Have yiu any recommendations for a decent cheap tow car? We are a family of 4 with a dog, i have already been looking as a back up plan and narrowed it down to either VW Golf, Citroen C5, Ford C - Max and Mondeos. Im thinking a 1.8 - 2.0 diesel??
Thanks again


PersonRob and Tina
16/8/2018 at 10:45pm
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
 Outfit:  Swift Major 4SB View Rob and Tina's Profile View Profile   Reply to Rob and Tina Reply   Quote Rob and Tina Quote  
Joined: 17/10/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3375
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
Something like a Mondeo or C Max with the 2.0 diesel can tow a lot more weight than that Picasso but if the combined plated weights exceed 3500 you will have to take the extra test.

What sort of weight is this Elddis? Depending on the year and model it may be possible for you to tow it with eg a Mondeo but it will depend on the exact weights on the particular vehicles. With cars and caravans it is important that you check the weights yourself, most people do not know the vehicle weights and salesmen will say anything to get a sale.

Rob


PersonHaka007
16/8/2018 at 10:51pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View Haka007's Profile View Profile   Reply to Haka007 Reply   Quote Haka007 Quote  
Joined: 11/6/2016

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   15
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 was a slipstream with miro 907kg mtplm 1250kg so would have just been in my range i think c4gp limit 1180! Yea i think an upgrade will future proof us too!


Advertisement



PersonRob and Tina
16/8/2018 at 11:03pm
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
 Outfit:  Swift Major 4SB View Rob and Tina's Profile View Profile   Reply to Rob and Tina Reply   Quote Rob and Tina Quote  
Joined: 17/10/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3375
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
The 1180 limit is with a lightly loaded car, with a fully loaded car I think your max tow goes down to 1050. Either way 1250 is higher than your 1180 max limit so it would be too heavy anyway. I liked our Picasso but the towing limit was too low to be practical with a modern caravan, even our 1.6 Focus could tow more than that and keep within sensible limits.

I think you need to think about upgrading the car, a C Max 2.0 diesel would tow up to about 1300kg depending on the model and you could probably keep under the 3500kg limit avoiding the need to take the extra test which will probably cost you the best part of £500.

Rob


PersonHaka007
16/8/2018 at 11:07pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View Haka007's Profile View Profile   Reply to Haka007 Reply   Quote Haka007 Quote  
Joined: 11/6/2016

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   15
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
Rob, you have been a great help!! Thank you very much for your time. I will be on the lookout for a bigger car now! Get the spanners back out and dismantle towbar! As for the wires i think solder and shrink wrap should suffice!
Thanks again!!


PersonRob and Tina
16/8/2018 at 11:15pm
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
 Outfit:  Swift Major 4SB View Rob and Tina's Profile View Profile   Reply to Rob and Tina Reply   Quote Rob and Tina Quote  
Joined: 17/10/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3375
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
You are welcome, I'd rather spend a few minutes trying to help rather than have you make a potentially expensive and dangerous decision.

I took the towbar and electrics off our Xsara Picasso and managed to sell it on ebay for not a lot less than I'd paid for it. Insulating tape and heatshrink work wonders and if they don't work then try gaffa tape.

Rob



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...

7772 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