Omega Owners Forum
Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: gareth. on 04 October 2011, 22:51:24
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Hi All
I want to fit a towbar to my R plate saloon, has anyone done it and are there any awkward bits? I will be using axle ramps. Also where is the best place to get a resonable towbar from? Any help will be appreciated.
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i fitted one found no problem with it i took my towbar of a t reg and fitted it on a r reg it was a witter make
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Hi All
I want to fit a towbar to my R plate saloon, has anyone done it and are there any awkward bits? I will be using axle ramps. Also where is the best place to get a resonable towbar from? Any help will be appreciated.
you need to decide how you want it to look when fitted. If you want to replicate the Forth Bridge then go for a Witter 2 bolt flange type, if you want a slimmer looking bar then you want an OE swan neck Bosal. If you don't want it on show at all, then Westfalia do a detachable bar. ;) ;) ;)
As for electrics, there's loads of info on the forum ............... but you'll have to dig around a little. Previous posts have never been made sticky ::) ::) ::)
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I don't really care what it looks like, but I need strength as I am towing a large caravan. I can get one new for around £75 + ball hitch and electrics.
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i tow a caravan an old one which is heavy and i got no problem with it
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I don't really care what it looks like, but I need strength as I am towing a large caravan. I can get one new for around £75 + ball hitch and electrics.
Go for it then, not a bad price all in all.
This is mine, cos I do care what it looks like. ;)
(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k17/Tiff4327/Omega/S73F1067.jpg)
(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k17/Tiff4327/Omega/S73F1068.jpg)
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..... but I need strength as I am towing a large caravan.....
Short of rot/rust, they're all as 'strong' as each other, they all need type approval, it's the same towbar whether towing a garden trailer or a 'large caravan' ;)
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Looks expensive! but very smart.
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Looks expensive! but very smart.
I bought it 3rd hand, but hardly used, I don't think they're that expensive new.
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i looked at them to much money for me
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I will try Vauxplus, I got a 5.7meter Tabbert Caravan I think the plate says 1600kg. I didn't want to tow it but I have to move it from my site in west Wales and move it about 25miles. Trouble is that it hasn't been moved for years. I am not looking forward to it. :-\ :-\ :-\
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just check the brakes and rubber on the wheels the brakes may be stuck on
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You don't need to lift the car to fit a towbar. I've got some pics of some of the holes where you need to drill that I'll see about getting up tomorrow, although theyre all marked. I've heard you can't get westfalia ones anymore. I'm sure I've got a list of which colour wire is which so all you'll need to do is splice in. I'll get that up tomorrow
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That will be fantastic! thanks. I heard that some of the holes are above the rear difff and its awkward? also do the back seats have to come out?
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Looks expensive! but very smart.
I bought it 3rd hand, but hardly used, I don't think they're that expensive new.
Last I checked, the detachable ones are ~£250..
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just check the brakes and rubber on the wheels the brakes may be stuck on
My Tyres are split,(on the caravan), the legs are rusted down and I bet the ball hitch is solid. but I know that the brakes are not stuck on as I had to move it 10yards last year.
One hell of a job ahead :'(
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Looks expensive! but very smart.
I bought it 3rd hand, but hardly used, I don't think they're that expensive new.
Last I checked, the detachable ones are ~£250..
I didn't realise they were as much as that :-\ as said, it wasn't new when I bought it. ;)
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Well I know there are many different types of tow bars, I took a factory fit detachable one off my mv6 and put it on the elite, so I can only really speak for that.
The rear seats didn't need to be touched. The bumper needed to come off. Although from some towbars I've seen it looks like for them you don't have to take it off. There are some holes right next to the diff. Drill the boot floor, and then the holes in the chassis are there. It's not tight or awkward though, just need an extension bar on your socket
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Looks expensive! but very smart.
I bought it 3rd hand, but hardly used, I don't think they're that expensive new.
Last I checked, the detachable ones are ~£250..
I didn't realise they were as much as that :-\ as said, it wasn't new when I bought it. ;)
Sadly so :( I could really use one, but refuse to get a shinbreaker .. though I don't really want to pay £250 :)
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I've been told the MOTs are soon to start testing tow bar and electrics
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I've been told the MOTs are soon to start testing tow bar and electrics
They've been testing the bars for the past few years & about to include the electrics from Jan 2012
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soak thelegs in wd40 but if wheels are split i dont think u should tow with them on i have had a wheel blow on me on m5 not fun and the hitch soak in wd40 and tap with hammer
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my towbar has never been tested for an mot unless its different in england
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Electrical test will be fun, some people wire them up to blow up correctly wired towing vehicles wiring (anti theft).
Some use extras leads for a better earth.
Not a good idea to test.
When mine was 2x7 pin it was not standard due to extra earth
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done mine had no probs a trailer board may help to check them
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did say to gareth if he needs help i only live 6 miles away from him
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3 years ago I removed my towbar just for Billing... Was only 3 bolts and took 5 mins! ;D (this was before I got the caravan). Probably not really recommended though to keep removing non-removable ones! ::) :-X
That said, I prefer it on the back all the time as a bit of protection. Would be handy if someone ever decides to rearend into me, their car would come off worse. :y
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I've been told the MOTs are soon to start testing tow bar and electrics
They've been testing the bars for the past few years & about to include the electrics from Jan 2012
Wonder how far these checks go? Would they just check the main 7N connector, or would they check the 7S one too? My 7S only has the power connections going to it :-X
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i fitted a towsure towbar on my 01 saloon,needs back end raised up on ramps ,easy to fit,there were small indentations in the cars metal work which were drilled out easily for all the bracket bolts,no need to take back seats out,all bolt heads end up under the boot carpet,took about 2 hours to fit...inc cig breaks n brews... :)
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That sound great, I tried vauxplus for a second hand bar today but they don't have one. So I'll order one offline, what's the towsure one like? They start at £150
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item number 270754088105 on ebay,thats what i have on mine... :)
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bumper doesnt need to come of either... :)
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or caravan stuff 4u
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I've been told the MOTs are soon to start testing tow bar and electrics
They've been testing the bars for the past few years & about to include the electrics from Jan 2012
Wonder how far these checks go? Would they just check the main 7N connector, or would they check the 7S one too? My 7S only has the power connections going to it :-X
Section 1.9
http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/MOT%20Inspection%20Manual.pdf
All towbars ... security/structure
13pin electrics correct function
7 pin electrics .. who knows ?? The check states
On vehicles fitted with a towbar, check the condition and security of the trailer electrical socket.
Note: This check applies to both 7 pin (12N) and 13 pin electrical sockets.
but the fitting of an adaptor only applies to 13 pin Eurosocket so the interpretation of "condition" will be down to the tester .. who might include a "does it work" question ...
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£149 from towsure
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Gareth, I'd advise a quick call to andyc (http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1488) as when I wanted one he could do a Witter one for a better price than anywhere else ;)
No guarantee he can still do such a deal but worth asking :y
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I had witter fitted just drilled out indicated holes in boot floor did not take bumper off.
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dont know if this is of any help :-\
http://www.towequipe.co.uk/itemlist.html?searchquery=vauxhall+omega&submit=Submit
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I have a witter single electrics towbar taken from my facelift saloon. I'm not sure if it would fit an "R" reg Omega though.
Barely used and in excellent condition £30.......comes complete with ALL NUTS,BOLTS AND SPACERS.
It is listed in the "FOR SALE" section.
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yes opti it will fit its the same as the one i fitted to my r reg
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opti what a bargain shame I dont need 2 although one on the front could help with parking caravan
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I have sent a message to opti, hope he still has it.
What's all this about taking a cable from the relays down the front of the car for the brakelights. Surely if I take a feed from the existing brake lights then that will be o.k as the negative/earth is common throughout?
I am an electrical lecturer and a qualified electrician, and I still get shocked by auto electrics. (pardon the pun). ;)
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You can take the Brakelight feed from the back of the light units ;)
Alternatively, if you wanted some extra work ::), you could take it from the Pre-Wired connector and sort the relay at the front :y
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My thoughts exactly :y
Why make work ;)
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What's all this about taking a cable from the relays down the front of the car for the brakelights. Surely if I take a feed from the existing brake lights then that will be o.k as the negative/earth is common throughout?
I am an electrical lecturer and a qualified electrician, and I still get shocked by auto electrics. (pardon the pun). ;)
When you come to wire the 12N socket up, you'll find all the wires you need that GM generously provided in a 9 way socket in the boot behind the rear trim panel. If you use the black/yellow (brake lights) wire from here you'll find that your trailer brake lights will not work. This is bcause it's fed via a 'relay' up front that, if used, extends the brake light check to your trailer brake lights, the 'relay' was around £20 a few years ago. So, if you use the socket provided you either use the 'realy', short the relay base to feed the boot socket, or as you say, take a feed directly from a brake light itself. You'll also find that there are two blue/black (rear fog light) wires, this is because a GM loom is 8 wires & uses a micro switch in the 12N socket to turn your car's rear fogs off while towing, so make sure you get the blue/black that is the feed and not the return. :y
But a qualified spark would be able to work all that out on his own! ;) ;)
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You can take the Brakelight feed from the back of the light units ;)
Alternatively, if you wanted some extra work ::), you could take it from the Pre-Wired connector and sort the relay at the front :y
Extra work? ??? ??? ??? Mmmm? ???It's hard work plugging in a 'relay' (box of electrickery!) ;) ;)
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Why make work ;)
What's faster/easier ............ plugging in a 'relay' or splicing a wire in a loom.
I reckon I could plug the 'relay' in before you spliced the wire in the loom, unless you cheated with a Scotchlock ::) ;)
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You can take the Brakelight feed from the back of the light units ;)
Alternatively, if you wanted some extra work ::), you could take it from the Pre-Wired connector and sort the relay at the front :y
Extra work? ??? ??? ??? Mmmm? ???It's hard work plugging in a 'relay' (box of electrickery!) ;) ;)
Can't remember if the OP's car is a F/L, in which case he needs to bridge a second relay to power the stop light feed in the socket ;) ;)
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Excuse my ignorance but which years are facelift omegas, mine is a 1998 on a R plate but it has the newer type headlights than my last P plate model.
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thats the mini face lift like mine which is still not going
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You can take the Brakelight feed from the back of the light units ;)
Alternatively, if you wanted some extra work ::), you could take it from the Pre-Wired connector and sort the relay at the front :y
Extra work? ??? ??? ??? Mmmm? ???It's hard work plugging in a 'relay' (box of electrickery!) ;) ;)
Can't remember if the OP's car is a F/L, in which case he needs to bridge a second relay to power the stop light feed in the socket ;) ;)
??? ??? ???
Both pre-face lift & facelift have provision for the trailer check relay which is the 'relay' that powers up the socket in the boot. One has the relay base above the driver's feet (face lift) & the other is above/behind the glove box (pre-face lift)
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Mini Facelift? now i'm even more confused ???
So where is my relay?
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i didnt look for mine
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I will take my wiring from the rear lights, then I won't need to go anywhere else!
Even though my lamp failure warnings won't work, I only intend on using it ocasionally.
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thats all u need it works for me and i tow all the time
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Mini Facelift? now i'm even more confused ???
So where is my relay?
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90440.0
:y :y
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thats all u need it works for me and i tow all the time
but for the sake of around £20 you'd know that your brake lights were working from the start to the end of your journey, mine also told me in a round about way that I'd a dodgy earth on the trailer. ;)
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It just sunk in what Andy B is trying to tell me, :) (sorry Andy B)
There is an empty relay base down the front. And when you put a relay in the base, the loom and plug at the back is energised for you to use. ;)
Somehow I envisaged running cables through the car. :-[
Still, why fork out another £20 for the relay? I will still go from the rear lights.
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u got to have 20 pounds to spend first
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It just sunk in what Andy B is trying to tell me, :) (sorry Andy B)
There is an empty relay base down the front. And when you put a relay in the base, the loom and plug at the back is energised for you to use. ;) .....
(http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSEi3r1mUbZ2pCIzJmN2iJyP8XVMOhn60_X71tRh45Nv24KmqIOTMK8IMw)
Still, why fork out another £20 for the relay? I will still go from the rear lights.
That depends only on whether you want to know if your trailer brake lights are working as they should from the comfort of the driver's seat. ;)
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Undoubtably it's the proper job Andy B.
I'll get the bar fitted first. I had a little look earlier but can only see one dimple not far from the cover for the fuel pump (on the boot floor) and two at the back of the car.
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Undoubtably it's the proper job Andy B.
I'll get the bar fitted first. I had a little look earlier but can only see one dimple not far from the cover for the fuel pump (on the boot floor) and two at the back of the car.
From memory ...... ::) there are 3 across the back of the car (vertically behind the bumper) another 3 at the back of the boot (horizontally) and 2 towards the front of the boot - the bolts for these are 4" or 5" long and bolt to the floor via tubes that go through the chassis rails - you can see a hole in each rail about 1" dia that the bolts go through. All quite straight forward. :y :y