Getting a tow bar added to a car for a reasonable price

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timmmay

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#146853 31-May-2014 10:15

Anyone know what's a good and reasonably cheap way to get a tow bar added to my 2003 Corolla? Towbar express's standard charge appears to be $590, though I saw an expired treatme deal for 50% off. I'd be happy with a second hand tow bar.

Edit, Wellington

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#1056966 31-May-2014 10:29

Wreckers? But honestly $500 isn't too bad IME.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

kiwitrc

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#1056968 31-May-2014 10:40

I doubt you will find cheaper than these guys http://www.towbarswellington.co.nz/

timmmay

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#1056971 31-May-2014 10:45

$500 seems a bit to weld a bit of shaped metal on, plus provide the wiring extension.

Coil

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#1056972 31-May-2014 10:46

500-600 is a decent price. Dad had a bad run at Pit stop with them wood screwing the lights plug to the bumper and the towbar wasn't exactly straight.

Bung

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#1056985 31-May-2014 10:54

$360 was the Wgtn Towbars price in 2008. Wait until you have a car with stability control that needs a special tail light harness.

scuwp

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#1057001 31-May-2014 11:20

timmmay: $500 seems a bit to weld a bit of shaped metal on, plus provide the wiring extension.

Tow bars must now comply with safety standards, and be designed so they do not interfere with the vehicle safety systems such as air bags, crumple zones, reversing sensors etc where applicable. It's not quite as simple as "weld a bit of shaped metal on" anymore.

The last tow bar I priced was admittedly for a later model Holden, but that was $1500!!!

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

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Coil

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#1057002 31-May-2014 11:21

timmmay

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#1057028 31-May-2014 12:22

scuwp:
timmmay: $500 seems a bit to weld a bit of shaped metal on, plus provide the wiring extension.

Tow bars must now comply with safety standards, and be designed so they do not interfere with the vehicle safety systems such as air bags, crumple zones, reversing sensors etc where applicable. It's not quite as simple as "weld a bit of shaped metal on" anymore.

The last tow bar I priced was admittedly for a later model Holden, but that was $1500!!!

True, but my car doesn't have any of those.

Coil

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#1057045 31-May-2014 13:02

timmmay:
scuwp:
timmmay: $500 seems a bit to weld a bit of shaped metal on, plus provide the wiring extension.

Tow bars must now comply with safety standards, and be designed so they do not interfere with the vehicle safety systems such as air bags, crumple zones, reversing sensors etc where applicable. It's not quite as simple as "weld a bit of shaped metal on" anymore.

The last tow bar I priced was admittedly for a later model Holden, but that was $1500!!!

True, but my car doesn't have any of those.

If you got a mate who is an engineer or welder they can sus it easy, As long as you can get the towbar.

timmmay

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#1057047 31-May-2014 13:04

A mate of mine can do all that stuff. Maybe a tow bar from a wrecker and a visit to him will sort it.

PhantomNVD

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#1057051 31-May-2014 13:09

I had my 03 corolla fitted with a factory issue tow bar at the manukau Toyota dealer for around 380 in '07... Try the local Toyota dealer for a price? I was very surprised to save over $80 at the time :)

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Batman

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#1057068 31-May-2014 13:37

wow used to cost me $250 before the big earthquake!

RunningMan

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#1057070 31-May-2014 13:44

timmmay: A mate of mine can do all that stuff. Maybe a tow bar from a wrecker and a visit to him will sort it.

That's probably the cheapest way, as long as you know someone who can do the spanner work - generally straightforward to fit.

Coil

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#1057077 31-May-2014 14:06

What are you towing by the way. if its a 1.5 tonne boat you might want to see the pros otherwise just hack it on.

timmmay

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#1057079 31-May-2014 14:12

I just want to be able to do things like take a trailer of stuff to the dump, pick up some soil or like I needed last week drainage chip, etc. That's why a tow bar isn't worth that much to me, I can get on fine without it, borrow mates cars, get skips, etc.

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