Retrieved from hitch mounting is googled a lot, with more than 10,000 people searching for towbar fitting and related searches every month. Therefore, in this article, Autobaak answers the question of how much fitting a towbar costs, what types there are and what to look out for when using a towbar.
Most people who have a towbar once never want to be without one. So fitting a towbar is a good idea if you ask us! Although a towbar is usually associated with a trailer, you can of course also use it to tow a caravan and easily fit a bike carrier.
Some people think a towbar does not fit the lines of their car. But fortunately, nowadays you can opt for a detachable or a hinged towbar. As a result, it need not be at the expense of your car's design.
What is the average cost of fitting a towbar
Material costs differ depending on the type of towbar as discussed above. It is also crucial how much weight the towbar needs to carry. A fixed towbar costs less than a detachable solution. The price for a towbar is between 100 and 600 euros. In addition, an electrical kit (cable set) is needed, which costs 100 euros on average. Finally, labour costs should also be calculated if you drive to a workshop for retrofitting. The installation cost for a towbar fitting depends on the type of towbar and the car model. It usually takes two to three hours and the hourly rate is between €60 and €120. Some workshops also offer towbar fitting at a fixed price. This then includes materials and labour.
If you want to have a towbar fitted, you will end up spending between 400-500,- euros for a fixed towbar. The detachable variant starts at 600,- euro. A swing-away variant is the most expensive and the cost will quickly exceed 1000,- euros.
What towbars are there?
As also described above, there are roughly three variants of towbars. The fixed tow bar, the detachable tow bar, and the tilt/turn tow bar. They are further described below:
Rigid fixed tow bar:
A rigid/fixed tow bar is particularly suitable for continuous use. Couriers and vans often use this variant. It is the cheapest solution for retrofitting a towbar. The towbar with ball head is used with a bolted or welded-on ball rod. Star in this case means that the towbar including the ball is firmly attached to the mounting crossbar and cannot be removed. The advantages of a fixed towbar are:
- Will last your whole life if all goes well
- No maintenance costs
- Always available and no hassle with assembly/disassembly
- Often price-wise the most interesting
Removable tow bar:
A detachable tow bar is especially suitable for those who only want to use it occasionally. In contrast to the rigid (fixed) version, there is no permanent aesthetic effect on the car. When not in use, the towbar can be removed in a few simple steps. The original appearance of the car is retained. In some cases, this is really necessary. For example, I sometimes see a Audi A7 with a fixed tow bar. If you ask me, it's a shame about the beautiful body.
If we do look for the advantages of a detachable towbar, they are as follows:
- If the tow bar is not on it does not spoil the look of the car
- The fog light and number plate are not constantly covered
- Invisible when not in use
- The hook is not in the way when you are busy in the boot
- The tow bar does not interfere with any parking sensors
Swivelling / tilting tow bar:
The swivel (tilt/turn) tow bar is a practical, elegant and unobtrusive variant for retrofitting: the tow bar can be easily rotated under the bumper and is available for use the other way round within seconds. Ideal for those who like the look of their car. However, such a tow bar cannot be screwed under every bumper. And the system is not available for all cars either. It is best to check with the workshop.
If you have fitted the hitch yourself, have it checked at a garage. A specialist will take another look at whether the towbar is properly and securely attached. Fitting a towbar is not very complicated but you need to be sure it is done properly.
Tow bar and cable set: 7 or 13-pin plug?
The tow bar and cable set, what exactly do you need? A correct pole system (Cable set) is what fits the particular vehicle. Because not all electrical systems work on every vehicle. Therefore, it is best to use a system directly from the car manufacturer. The clutch has already been checked in the course of the inspection when the car is introduced and will definitely fit. Moreover, the electric kit for using a trailer is already matched to the electric system.
Aftermarket systems
But aftermarket suppliers also offer functioning systems. However, these often do not have EC type approval and a visit to the RDW is mandatory after fitting. It should also be clear in advance whether a 7- or 13-pin plug is needed for electrics such as brake lights, direction indicators and rear fog lights. Alternatively, there is also an adapter, from 7-pin to 13-pin. If the car is equipped with an electronic management system, a special control unit may also be needed to control the trailer's electrical system. In some cases, the workshop needs to activate the electrical system to operate a trailer.
Can you put a tow bar on any car?
Unfortunately, not every car is suitable for fitting a tow bar. This may have to do with, for example, the place where the fog light is mounted or the location of the number plate. The towbar must not block this view, which means that fitting the towbar is not allowed.
Furthermore, some cars are not allowed to tow but only carry. If you want to fit a tow bar to tow, in that case it is not allowed. Consider low-powered cars such as electric or hybrid models like a Toyota Prius, Nissan Leaf or Citroen C1. The manufacturer of these cars has stipulated that these cars are not allowed to tow (i.e. no trailer or caravan) but are allowed to carry a bike carrier. So that is something to take into account!
Tow bar fitted
Want to have a towbar fitted? Then it is best to contact a reputable garage in your area. Fitting a towbar is a specialist job and needs to be done professionally so you can be sure that hook is fitted correctly. Many garages charge a fixed price for the purchase of the towbar including installation.
Can I fit my own tow bar?
Of course, you can choose to fit a towbar to your car yourself provided you have sufficient technical knowledge. Without the right knowledge and skill, you won't know if it is safe or correctly fitted. Fitting it yourself is not only a big safety risk, but you can also void the towbar or car manufacturer's warranty by doing the job yourself. Unless you are a mechanic or a tow bar mechanic, we always recommend getting the tow bar installed by a professional to ensure it is safe. So, our advice would be to pay a visit to the local workshop so that you can be sure of a safe towbar under your car.
Towing regulations
There is no law or regulation that prescribes the removal of the tow bar when driving without a trailer. But there is one exception: a detachable tow bar must be removed if this is stated in the booklet or the type approval. For example, if the ball head of the hitch covers the number plate when driving without a trailer.
Does a towbar also require maintenance?
If the tow bar is under the car, you should not forget to regularly contol and maintain it. That way, you can be sure you can safely tow a trailer or caravan. Here are some points to consider for a reliable and safe towbar:
- Make sure the bolts are tight, inspect them after long trips and make sure they are tightened regularly. For example, every 1,000 km.
- It is important that the draw ball does not get smaller than 49 mm. With frequent use, the ball may wear out. If the diameter is smaller than 49 mm then you need to replace the ball tube.
- Use a tow bar cap that protects the ball from rust and dirt.
- Clean the tow ball regularly. If there is dirt on the ball, it is best to clean it with a cleaning spray and then dry it with a cloth. If there is rust on the ball, you can remove it with fine-grained sandpaper, for example. Of course, proceed carefully and do not sand too hard.
- The ball attached to the tow bar should always be well protected. Make sure it is always clean. When you are not using the towbar, you can protect the ball with a special cover.
- Remember that the socket/connection of the electrical connection is clean. These are the contacts next to the tow bar and the trailer contacts. Clean the connections regularly by using contact spray, for example. This spray removes grease, oil and other dirt and ensures that the electrical contacts are clean. And of course it is important that the contacts are covered when you are not using the towbar. For this, you can use a cover plate.
- Regularly inspect the wiring so you can be sure everything is working properly.
- If you have a trailer with a stabilisation system, you should not lubricate the towbar ball as this can cause problems with the stability of the trailer. If you have a trailer without a stabilisation system, it is a different story. In that case, it does make sense to apply a thin layer of lubricant. We always recommend reading the user manual carefully to be sure whether or not you need to lubricate the ball. If in doubt, it is best to contact a garage in your area.
EN 
NL 
DE