[mattrgee]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a towbar for my 2014 i30.  There are a number of different makes so I wondered if anyone has some real-world experience and could recommended a particular one?

Thanks.

[baroudeur]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a towbar for my 2014 i30.  There are a number of different makes so I wondered if anyone has some real-world experience and could recommended a particular one?

Thanks.

Down to personal choice?  All towbars have to meet Type Approval and fit the manufacturer's mounting points so the only  bit in view is sticking out the back.

A fixed ball or a demountable ball seems to be the only real choice apart from the variation in prices?

Surely as anyone who has a towbar fitted will only have experience of that particular make and type they cannot compare it with other makes?

[Wingerdave]

Brink and Bosal make very good towbars. Removeable ones are the best bet.

FYI, you may have to reposition the number plate if you go for a fixed ball. They can also muck up the parking sensors, if fitted.

A lot depends on what you are wanting to tow, heavy or light...then your next option is if you want fixed tongue or removable.

Personally for me if I were to buy a towbar I would definitely be wanting removable ( Reese Hitch style )

Some examples by Hayman Reese here Hayman Reese - Towbars - hayman reese

[Wingerdave]

A lot depends on what you are wanting to tow, heavy or light...then your next option is if you want fixed tongue or removable.

Personally for me if I were to buy a towbar I would definitely be wanting removable ( Reese Hitch style )

Some examples by Hayman Reese here Hayman Reese - Towbars - hayman reese

He lives in Stockport, England. Shipping might be a bit steep.

Here's something closer to home....... Brink Detachable Towbars

He lives in Stockport, England. Shipping might be a bit steep.

Here's something closer to home....... Brink Detachable Towbars

I know where he lives, I was just giving examples, plus I think Reese would be available all round the world as they are truly the best you can get

[Wingerdave]

I know where he lives, I was just giving examples, plus I think Reese would be available all round the world as they are truly the best you can get

Okay, but i've never seen them anywhere. It's all Brink, Bosal, Thule and Westfalia in Europe. But yes, i'm sure someone might stock them.

And if i'm ever asked to pull a Leopard MkII Tank I'll certainly keep them in mind   

You get light and heavy duty Reese style hitches, their benefit is easy removal of the tongue.

If I ever want to tow a shopping bag I'll think of Brink I don't think they would even pass safety standards here

[rustynutz]

I hear Brinks are popular with women drivers... 

[Just Rick]

I hear Brinks are popular with women drivers... 

  you are a naughty boy 

I hear Brinks are popular with women drivers... 

I wonder why

[Wingerdave]

You get light and heavy duty Reese style hitches, their benefit is easy removal of the tongue.

If I ever want to tow a shopping bag I'll think of Brink I don't think they would even pass safety standards here

They meet all safety requirements Worldwide, but then again Oz does have some pretty wierd standards, as has been confirmed time and again on this very forum, even differences per state  Well, you chose a Federal System.

Anyway, it doesn't matter so much which make, as long as it's accepted by the car manufacturer (who wouldn't accept a towbar that didn't comply with standards).

BTW, do they make shopping bags on wheels ?

I hear Brinks are popular with women drivers... 

  is that supposed to mean? Is that yet another Oz colloquialism lost on us Old World folks?

BTW, do they make shopping bags on wheels ?

Yep, specially made for you old world folks

your Brink should be just capable of towing it

[Wingerdave]

Oh, I'm sure they're called something other than a shopping bag. Should have said.

BTW, i only mentioned Brink because the supplier was close to the OP and they're not bad. I've only ever had Bosal OEM towbars under my cars. Not sure if they make one for shopping bags, but they do make very good ones for everything else (personal experience).

[mattrgee]

Thanks all!

I've never had a towbar before so just a little unsure on the options.  I've just had a quote back for a detachable towbar with single generic electrics for £430, this is a place just down the road.  Didn't expect it to be so expensive to be honest.  They said the low number plate on the i30 requires a detachable towbar.  The dedicated electrics would bring it up to £550.00 

Not sure how this compares to other people?  Is it neccessary to have the dedicated electrics?

Thanks again.

[rustynutz]

is that supposed to mean? Is that yet another Oz colloquialism lost on us Old World folks?

Check out the pic in reply 10 and all will be revealed, Dave... 

[Wingerdave]

is that supposed to mean? Is that yet another Oz colloquialism lost on us Old World folks?

Check out the pic in reply 10 and all will be revealed, Dave... 

Just saw it. You lot really are a bunch of filthy b@#$%rds, but funny just the same 

Thanks all!

I've never had a towbar before so just a little unsure on the options.  I've just had a quote back for a detachable towbar with single generic electrics for £430, this is a place just down the road.  Didn't expect it to be so expensive to be honest.  They said the low number plate on the i30 requires a detachable towbar.  The dedicated electrics would bring it up to £550.00 

Not sure how this compares to other people?  Is it neccessary to have the dedicated electrics?

Thanks again.

Price sounds about right, and yes, you'll need the dedicated electrics , unless you enjoy chasing down wiring faults and blown fuses. Choice is 7-pole or 13-pole, depending what you're towing.

[jess]

if you look at p.f jones website  it has tow bars and  wiring kits  and the fitting instructions on there site , they are the best cost of any one i have found in uk and they will also give you advice if you  ring them.

[Wingerdave]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a towbar for my 2014 i30.  There are a number of different makes so I wondered if anyone has some real-world experience and could recommended a particular one?

Thanks.

Were you thinking of fitting it yourself?

[Asterix]

I have a detachable Westfalia fitted, very happy with it.. 

[mattrgee]

Were you thinking of fitting it yourself?

Yes I'd be tempted to fit it myself.  Anyone done it?

[Wingerdave]

Were you thinking of fitting it yourself?

Yes I'd be tempted to fit it myself.  Anyone done it?

There's not a lot of things i'll lay on my back for...... fitting a towbar is not one of them 

[baroudeur]

Thanks all!

I've never had a towbar before so just a little unsure on the options.  I've just had a quote back for a detachable towbar with single generic electrics for £430, this is a place just down the road.  Didn't expect it to be so expensive to be honest.  They said the low number plate on the i30 requires a detachable towbar.  The dedicated electrics would bring it up to £550.00 

Not sure how this compares to other people?  Is it neccessary to have the dedicated electrics?

Thanks again.

There is a Witter detachable towbar on preloved at very good prices.  I went after it but found it is for a GD model.  At £65 + delivery it seems a very good bargain especially as it includes twin  electrics.

Preloved | Buying and Selling with Free adverts in UK and Ireland

There is another on gumtree in Aberdeen Scotland but I haven't followed it up.

  hyundai i30 towbar in United Kingdom - Gumtree

edit: FD i30 electrics do not need dedicated electrics but the kit   does make it easier to wire up.  Wiring instructions are available on line or I have a copy somewhere.

[crayman]

You'd have to be really keen to fit one to your model.
The metal panel (behind the plastic bumper) is replaced by the much stronger tow bar frame so this involves removing a LOT of body panels with all their secret fixings. Parking sensors and such to be disconnected.
Then drilling the "chassis" (using the term very loosely) for the actual bar connections.
Finally the wiring. This involves practically dismantling the interior/rear of the car to source the various feeds.
Then re-fitting it all with hopefully not too many broken secret fixings.
I fitted a reversing camera to Mr's i-30 so i've been down this road, it's a nightmare.
You will need the removable tongue type or the ball will have to be removed when not towing, as it obscures the licence plate.

[Johnno]

Thanks all!

I've never had a towbar before so just a little unsure on the options.  I've just had a quote back for a detachable towbar with single generic electrics for £430, this is a place just down the road.  Didn't expect it to be so expensive to be honest.  They said the low number plate on the i30 requires a detachable towbar.  The dedicated electrics would bring it up to £550.00 

Not sure how this compares to other people?  Is it neccessary to have the dedicated electrics?

Thanks again.

What are you towing ?  there's 2 types of electric's [ 2 7pin plugs or 1 single 13 pin plug] now  also 2 types of balls depending on the trailer, you want a ball on a long neck which most of them are nowadays AL KO hitch

be aware that some makes of towbars require cutting of rear bumper, I've had Witter towbars fitted but not on the i30

[Johnno]

Hyundai Towbars - Find your Hyundai Tow Bar by Witter Towbars

http://www.ntta.co.uk/law/trailers/lights.aspx

[Johnno]

The Volvo had dedicated electric's because it had a electric's ecu module in the boot and it was just a matter of plug and play, no cutting into wiring, just plugged stright into the module, and it also switched the reversing lights off when reversing with the caravan so you don't get the light bouncing off the front of the caravan and dazzling you

[ibrokeit]

You'd have to be really keen to fit one to your model.
The metal panel (behind the plastic bumper) is replaced by the much stronger tow bar frame so this involves removing a LOT of body panels with all their secret fixings. Parking sensors and such to be disconnected.
Then drilling the "chassis" (using the term very loosely) for the actual bar connections.
Finally the wiring. This involves practically dismantling the interior/rear of the car to source the various feeds.
Then re-fitting it all with hopefully not too many broken secret fixings.
I fitted a reversing camera to Mr's i-30 so i've been down this road, it's a nightmare.
You will need the removable tongue type or the ball will have to be removed when not towing, as it obscures the licence plate.

Wow - is this for all the GDs? or just the hatch? or the newest models (14/15)?   My mum has a very recent i30.

Sounds a lot more involved than my FD wagon.  Which, from what I can tell, was basically bolt towbar frame to chassis - having made appropriate notch in bumper bar - and fit/connect wiring.   Having said that I didn't do it - had it done as part of pre-delivery.

[crayman]

Hatch, 2012.
I have fitting instructions somewhere, will try to dig them out to post.

[crayman]

Here she be, links have mixed up the order of the images.