DIY Towbar

jojo76, Aug 8, 8:32am
Really.is it OK to buy and install your own towbar (new)!
Ive done a search, but it appears no-one has asked this specific question before.
So what you opinion.DIY or professional install!
mugenb20b, Aug 8, 8:36am
I buy towbars from a reputable supplier and have always installed them myself. Brand new tow bars come with fitting instructions, nuts, bolts, washers, correction plates, etc. Piece of cake.
jojo76, Aug 8, 8:37am
If you don't mind me asking.where have you got your from mugenb20b!
franc123, Aug 8, 8:40am
If you have not done this sort of thing before its probably best to get it done for you.Some towbars are quite straightforward to do, others are much more complicated.If you are good at following instructions and have a good variety of hand tools, drill etc or got an experienced person to help then by all means give it a go.
trader_84, Aug 8, 8:42am
I've fitted them before but never new ones. The wreckers are full of cars exactly like yours that are fitted with towbars. Why would you buy new! The ones I have fitted came from same model cars and went on piece of piss. Just me .
mugenb20b, Aug 8, 8:55am
Well, at the time, I used to get them through a garage in Upper Hutt (Maidstone Mufflers). He gets them from his own supplier. I think the tow bars were called 'LockOn'. I didn't mind paying retail price because those bars fitted nicely, no adjustment was necessary, everything lined up perfectly.
xs1100, Aug 8, 8:55am
fine to fit yourself but just remeber if something goes wrong only one person to blame
neryl1, Aug 8, 8:57am
2nd hand ones for the exact same vechicle are easier to fit cause there factory ones not replica ones.usually have some things in place to bolt it to and maybe drill another hole or two where there missing depends on the vechicle i guess.
mugenb20b, Aug 8, 8:58am
Err.who's gonna know that 'you' fitted the tow bar! "it came with the car officer".
msigg, Aug 8, 9:00am
I too have made them and fitted them myself, best bet if your handy is to find the same model from a wreckers then take note of how it is bolted on and go from there. New some are $300 to $400 for common cars, some are more expensive. Depends how much dosh you wantto spend. Then 9 PC brigade) some on here will say about certs etc.
trader_84, Aug 8, 9:08am
Whats your point! If something goes wrong like it drops off because of loose bolts but you never fitted it originally - then you are not to blame!

Fitting towbars is not a place you skimp on stuff. I parked up the MIG and hauled out the stick welder when I modified the one on my truck. And thats done plenty of work since without problem. decent gussets and double shear methodology are your friends when doing this sorta stuff. But it ain't rocket science.
bigfatmat1, Aug 8, 9:18am
I use to work at towbar express they made lock on towbars I wrote alot of instructions while I was there
drew2009, Aug 9, 2:40am
What make/model/year car is it for!
rsr72, Aug 9, 2:48am
Make sure only high-tensile bolts are used.
jojo76, Aug 9, 7:39am
It is for a 94 Rav 4.
My husbands pretty confident he can it himself.we live on a farm with an huge workshop with an extensive range of tools.Farm owner is always up there fixing something.
I contacted a few wreckers, but no one has one at the moment.
mugenb20b, Aug 9, 8:14am
Well, in that case, the instructions were spot on, fool proof in fact. There was no way you could stuff it up.
bigfatmat1, Sep 26, 10:04am
Thats the way the boss liked them. along with all tools laid out ready to do a job was all about speed and ease of fitting. I use to be able to fit a towbar and wire a trailer plug in around 45 mins some were only 20mins this would be job complete tools away including taking bumper off if need be I use to operate the the mobile service my jobs were spaced and allowed me an hour to complete.

Jojo give these guys a ring if you would like one you could pay by credit card they will ship to you with bolts and instructions.
http://towbar.co.nz/