A Towbar

Any advice please

http://www.tow-bars.co.uk/

Ordered one from Watlings and arrived yesterday..

Will report on ease of fitting

Yes please, want to fit one as well.....

O.k. towbar fitted. Just wiring to do.

I will scan and post the digram / instructions and give details of the extra bolts I bought if anyone is interested.

You have to:

Remove and discard the cover over the fuel pipe to tank.

Remove and discard the towing hook on the opposite side to the filler.

Fit to existing holes from bits taken off + drill new hole for extra secure bolt. (16mm so get a big drill bit)

My "bessy" had a plastic "Hiace" surround under the bumper which needed to be cut and I dropped the spare out of the bracket for ease.

MAIN GRIPES.

One of the drilled holes had to be elongated because it was out of alignment.

Two of the supplied bolts could have been longer.

You needed to punch a hole through one of the supplied plates into the boot so a bolt could be put through. The position where I needed to drill the hole was right above the fuel tank in pipe and was therefore not easy. ( angled a long scredriver, punched a spot and then guessed )

I will email the supplier and ask about discount for forum members

That would be good, thanks...

was after getting one fitted so i rang round.first was mobile who said watling was only one he does(he uses em all though)£250.next was witter agent who said they dont do em.the second witter agent told me the other was wrong so i booked the bus in for£250(having never heard of watling).told it would take a few hours i went for a wander.i was phoned back 2 hours later to be told it wouldnt fit.(30minute walk back)arrived at the shop"sorry mate it dont fit ".hmmmmm.got outside and spotted my lush toyota mud flaps wi creases in.i spotted the steep access to the garage and realized this must have been the cause.went back in steamin only to be met with a blank expression.grrrrr.anyway he tried then to tell me they had another supplier who can send one in a couple of days for an extra £60.suprise suprise it was a watling.jeeeees. so............ i phoned the first guy back who came to the house and saved me lots and lots of bovver.if ya buying one please learn fom my lesson get it right first or get someone else to get it right for ya

hi guys,

has anyone in oz had a towbar fitted? if so, for which model hiace pls? Had a garage look at my 96 super custom 2.4 petrol and he told me I need to get rid of the complete tow hook plate thats welded near the tank filler because he wont do it because its so close to the tank & filler.. only then can he see if a hiace commuter bar would fit or not... i'm in sydney.

any help appreciated!

martink,

I posted this b4, I know you r in Sydney, but he might be able to inform u.

The guy I bought my Van from had a Towbar fitted by these guys, http://www.truckandbustowbars.com.au/. Its a heavy duty with 1600kg towing capacity. He said people come from far away to get towbars fitted to there SCs'. I don't know what the costs are sorry.

Hope this helps anyone.

thanks mate I'll check it out... cheers

ok i got one that suits the commuter model. good fit after removing the tow hook plate!