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[Malcolm_D]

SWMBO is finally relenting and we may be getting back to caravanning 
I need a bit of advice regarding the following:
What is the best type of tow bar for my 02 2.6 V6? I fancy a detachable.
Where is the best place to buy one from?
How hard is it to wire the electrics (I am ok with the nuts and bolts stuff)?

TOUGH ONE! Do I leave my 'pride and joy' alone and fit a towbar to the 2.4 S80 auto that SWMBO drives? The van I am looking to buy is a Swift Challenger 480 which weighs in at 1384 KG mtplm

All advice gratefully received. 

[blackviper90210]

Not sure on the detachable bars, but I've got Witter bars on both my estate & facelift saloon. Fairly easy to set up and if you look online, Witter give you a step by step guide on installing them including electrics.

HTH. 

[Andy B]

SWMBO is finally relenting and we may be getting back to caravanning 
I need a bit of advice regarding the following:
What is the best type of tow bar for my 02 2.6 V6? I fancy a detachable.
Where is the best place to buy one from?
How hard is it to wire the electrics (I am ok with the nuts and bolts stuff)?

TOUGH ONE! Do I leave my 'pride and joy' alone and fit a towbar to the 2.4 S80 auto that SWMBO drives? The van I am looking to buy is a Swift Challenger 480 which weighs in at 1384 KG mtplm

All advice gratefully received. 

mine's a Westfalia detachable and you can't see anything when removed - although the original plate for the electrics has been altered so that swings out of the way too.
Weight wise you should have no problems pulling or stopping a 'van with a gross weight of 1384kgs.
There's loads of info around & about on the site re wiring it all up. Most of it's been done by GM & is on a plug behind the trim panel at the back of the boot. 

[jonathanh]

got a towsure one on mine.  only use it occasionally.  got it from an internet auction site and was v happy

pretty tidy when not in use as well

[Entwood]

Whatever towbar you get ... ENSURE it is "type approved" for your car. It is now illegal, for vehicles registered since August 1998, and an MOT failure, to use a "non-approved" tow bar.

So, not only MOT fail, not only  points and a fine if taken to court, but also an excuse for Insurers not to pay out in the event of a claim.

Paras 3-7

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/vehicles/vssafety/towingwithvehiclesfrequently4577

[Martin_1962]

SWMBO is finally relenting and we may be getting back to caravanning 
I need a bit of advice regarding the following:
What is the best type of tow bar for my 02 2.6 V6? I fancy a detachable.
Where is the best place to buy one from?
How hard is it to wire the electrics (I am ok with the nuts and bolts stuff)?

TOUGH ONE! Do I leave my 'pride and joy' alone and fit a towbar to the 2.4 S80 auto that SWMBO drives? The van I am looking to buy is a Swift Challenger 480 which weighs in at 1384 KG mtplm

All advice gratefully received. 

1) Guessing the S80 is gay wheel drive, + for Omega
2) 2.4 vs 2.6 + for Omega

Towbar fitting is not too difficult nor is the wiring.

I used a towbar kit I bought off the internet.

I converted mine to 13 pin last year.

Also depends on your stabliser

[Martin_1962]

Whatever towbar you get ... ENSURE it is "type approved" for your car. It is now illegal, for vehicles registered since August 1998, and an MOT failure, to use a "non-approved" tow bar.

So, not only MOT fail, not only  points and a fine if taken to court, but also an excuse for Insurers not to pay out in the event of a claim.

Paras 3-7

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/vehicles/vssafety/towingwithvehiclesfrequently4577

Hmm more Euro'dangle berries'.

I know mine is plated but no idea where it is since I plastered mine in hammerite.

But it has passed 5 MOTs like that

[Malcolm_D]

SWMBO is finally relenting and we may be getting back to caravanning 
I need a bit of advice regarding the following:
What is the best type of tow bar for my 02 2.6 V6? I fancy a detachable.
Where is the best place to buy one from?
How hard is it to wire the electrics (I am ok with the nuts and bolts stuff)?

TOUGH ONE! Do I leave my 'pride and joy' alone and fit a towbar to the 2.4 S80 auto that SWMBO drives? The van I am looking to buy is a Swift Challenger 480 which weighs in at 1384 KG mtplm

All advice gratefully received. 

1) Guessing the S80 is gay wheel drive, + for Omega
2) 2.4 vs 2.6 + for Omega

Towbar fitting is not too difficult nor is the wiring.

I used a towbar kit I bought off the internet.

I converted mine to 13 pin last year.

Also depends on your stabliser

Yep FWD - don't you just hate it!

The van has a stabiliser hitch so no worries there - I hope!

 

[albitz]

Better have a look for a type approval plate on mine. I,ve never even used it.

[henri]

got a towsure one on mine.  only use it occasionally.  got it from an internet auction site and was v happy

pretty tidy when not in use as well

Got a towsure detachable on mine easy fitting, with electrics guidance from oof

[Andy B]

...
The van has a stabiliser hitch so no worries there - I hope!

 

If you decide on a 'normal' 2 bolt flange tow bar, then make sure you fit an Al-ko ball. They have a longer neck to allow full movement of the Al-ko stabiliser hitch. 

[Malcolm_D]

Thanks, I am almost certain that I will go for a detachable, I do not want to spoil the looks of the car. I may put a flange type on the Volvo as I have a cycle rack which requires this. 

[Malcolm_D]

Have ordered a Westfalia detatchable from a company in Chesterfield - good price and sounded like they know their stuff. According to them the towbar is now discontinued because Omegas are no longer in production, there are none of these towbars in the UK but they are getting me one from Germany!