Tow Bars

[Ian Chadwick]

Has anyone had a retrofitted tow bar fitted, what type would you recommend and what sort of price would you expect to pay, I traded in a GLC that had a factory fitted electric one fitted and it was very good as it was concealed under the car so I will probably be looking at a detachable type.

 

[RFT]

I'm going to get this one fitted - had it on my A6 a few years agao and works well:

https://www.pfjones.co.uk/mercedes-vito-viano-w447-2014-onwards-westfalia-detachable-towbar.html

 

[Ian Chadwick]

Thanks for that it looks very impressive especially on the video

 

[RFT]

I liked it as you get a resounding clunk as it gets seated and the knob springs into place. All confidence inspiring.

 

[JP Lakedistrict]

Just had a Westfalia tow bar fitted, purchased through Witter. Very pleased with the result but I think the quote supplied relates to the Mercedes Van and the fitter found the job a little more difficult due to the interior panelling. I am never happy to see panels being removed and they had to get the wiring loom to the front of the vehicle. All seems well !!

 

[AGP]

I think that the fitting of this towbar requires a "non-visible" cut to the underside of the bumper. How big is the chunk that they remove? Presumably not enough to affect bumper performance (whatever it is that they do) but is it enough that Mercedes would be unhappy if I return the car at the end of the finance period? Am I fussing about nothing?

 

[RFT]

They often say this when nothing is actually cut. My experience of handing back a vehicle at the end of contract is that they wouldn't be looking underneath in any case.

 

[JP Lakedistrict]

I think that the fitting of this towbar requires a "non-visible" cut to the underside of the bumper. How big is the chunk that they remove? Presumably not enough to affect bumper performance (whatever it is that they do) but is it enough that Mercedes would be unhappy if I return the car at the end of the finance period? Am I fussing about nothing?

You are correct. There is a non visible cut to accommodate the tow bar and Electric socket. My Tow Bar was fitted at home by a Witter agent. You cannot see the cut when looking at the rear of the vehicle

 

[AGP]

Thanks for this. I'll get on with it then

 

[Phil nalton]

I had a Westfalia retrofitted by MK Towbars. Very good and thorough service.

 

[EventHorizon]

I may look to retrofit too. Do you need to have 19” wheels for this (the Factory fitted option seems to require this)?

 

[GeorgeG]

I may look to retrofit too. Do you need to have 19” wheels for this (the Factory fitted option seems to require this)?

I queried this with my local Merc service/parts department and they could see nothing on the fitting notes requiring 19” wheels and thought it very strange that the brochureure/price list mentions this. After all, as they said, the standard 18”wheels are hardly small. They asked me if I wanted a quote to fit one which I agreed to out of interest - £2,200! Apparently, Mercedes insist on updating the cooling fans, as well as the gearbox oil cooler - presumably if you intend to tow a large caravan. I only want to fit a bike carrier and wonder if I fail to carry out those upgrades the warranty will be invalidated - especially if there is any issue with the gearbox.

 

[RFT]

I had my Witter / Westfalia tow bar fitted this week. While the cut may be invisible viewed from behind it is fairly substantial when viewed from underneath!
There should be no need to remove any kitchen panels as the wiring instructions specifically say that the wiring goes underneath the van and comes up beneath the passenger seat. I've no idea if this is unique to the vehicle dedicated wiring that I chose.

 

[GeorgeG]

I had my Witter / Westfalia tow bar fitted this week. While the cut may be invisible viewed from behind it is fairly substantial when viewed from underneath!
There should be no need to remove any kitchen panels as the wiring instructions specifically say that the wiring goes underneath the van and comes up beneath the passenger seat. I've no idea if this is unique to the vehicle dedicated wiring that I chose.

I had a Westfalia removable towbar fitted on Monday by a local specialist. They ordered the vehicle specific wiring kit, but weren’t sure if the V Class was TP (trailer prepared) or not - Mercedes and BMW were in their experience generally TP. However, it turns out the Marco Polo isn’t TP. Fortunately they bought in both the TP and non-TP wiring kits. I’m not sure where the wiring went, but I had assumed it would be slung underneath in a proper loom.

Regarding the ‘invisible’ bumper cut, it’s not entirely true. Whilst the vast majority of the cut is under the bumper and unseen unless you crawl on your hands and knees, you can see where the lip on the rear underside edge of the bumper has been removed. When the towbar is fitted it is hardly noticeable, but when removed you can just make out the electric socket and missing bumper lip.

Not a big deal I suppose - I’ve had a lot worse over the years. But I wish the manufacturers of van type vehicles would design- in the provision of towbars at an early stage because, presumably, such vehicles are far more likely to tow things than the average car.

 

[Dundry]

Looking at mine, which was factory fitted, the rear bumper is moulded to accommodate the tow bar, so perhaps if you factory fit you get a slightly different rear bumper to one if you don't spec it.

 

[GeorgeG]

Looking at mine, which was factory fitted, the rear bumper is moulded to accommodate the tow bar, so perhaps if you factory fit you get a slightly different rear bumper to one if you don't spec it.

Good to know that Mercedes have thought about tow bar installation after all. It’s a pity after- market kits require the bumper to be cut. However, the 20% + I got off the cost of a new MP by buying pre-reg goes some way towards compensating for my disappointment at the compromised nature of the retro fit.

 

[RFT]

Good to know that Mercedes have thought about tow bar installation after all. It’s a pity after- market kits require the bumper to be cut. However, the 20% + I got off the cost of a new MP by buying pre-reg goes some way towards compensating for my disappointment at the compromised nature of the retro fit.

Agreed!

 

[Andrew Pidgeon]

I think that the fitting of this towbar requires a "non-visible" cut to the underside of the bumper. How big is the chunk that they remove? Presumably not enough to affect bumper performance (whatever it is that they do) but is it enough that Mercedes would be unhappy if I return the car at the end of the finance period? Am I fussing about nothing?

Some lease agreements prohibit retro fit accessories and if damage is done you have to pay to remove and make good. Expensive poo! Be warned I got stung.

 

[Method7]

So we had our westfalia removable towbar fitted yesterday arranged through Westfalia and fitted by Andover Towing. It took about 3 hours, the fitter came well equipped with a huge padded mat to work on. He had to run a cable to the fuse box and various other bus connectors under the dash. This was done by using the tray under the foot steps on the drivers side.

The cut made under the rear bumper is significant and allows plenty of room for connecting and removing the hitch. The cut is tidy and as minimal as possible even stepping in to maintain the border around the almost hidden 13pin plug. He left little trace that he spent three hours in and around the car. He mapped the computer and gave me a demo of the disabled sensors and (trailer) failed lights dash warning. Highly recommended.

 

[Kiwi Ange]

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So we had our westfalia removable towbar fitted yesterday arranged through Westfalia and fitted by Andover Towing. It took about 3 hours, the fitter came well equipped with a huge padded mat to work on. He had to run a cable to the fuse box and various other bus connectors under the dash. This was done by using the tray under the foot steps on the drivers side.

The cut made under the rear bumper is significant and allows plenty of room for connecting and removing the hitch. The cut is tidy and as minimal as possible even stepping in to maintain the border around the almost hidden 13pin plug. He left little trace that he spent three hours in and around the car. He mapped the computer and gave me a demo of the disabled sensors and (trailer) failed lights dash warning. Highly recommended.