tow bar
- Thread starter stina
- Start date
Willy Eckerslyke
Well-Known Member
I've got one that I was intending to put on eBay. Not sure if it's a genuine Rover one or not, but looks the same as the one I have on my everyday P6. Needs a rub down and repaint. I was expecting about 25 pounds plus postage. No electrics, but you'd be best off buying them new anyway. I'll take some photos if you or anyone else is interested.
Brian-Northampton
Administrator
Hi Stina,
If you like the look of the rear bumper with the overriders in the correct position, then you've best getting the cranked towbar instead of the straight one.
With the straight one, IIRC you have to put the overriders right at the extreme ends, or leave them off completely. With the cranked tow bar you can put the overriders on in the correct place.
For a pic of the cranked tow bar - check out my P6 blog in my signature - you might have to scroll through the entries to find it.
Cheers,
Bri.
If you like the look of the rear bumper with the overriders in the correct position, then you've best getting the cranked towbar instead of the straight one.
With the straight one, IIRC you have to put the overriders right at the extreme ends, or leave them off completely. With the cranked tow bar you can put the overriders on in the correct place.
For a pic of the cranked tow bar - check out my P6 blog in my signature - you might have to scroll through the entries to find it.
Cheers,
Bri.
Willy Eckerslyke
Well-Known Member
Just checked and this spare is a straight one, which explains why the identical one on my every day P6 is fitted without overriders.
Willy Eckerslyke
Well-Known Member
No problem, I've learnt something new too. Good luck finding a bent one!
stina
New Member
Hi guys , Got a tow bar as pictured . Looking at and reading through Brian's blog it looks like the bracing bar from the back of the jacking point to the boot floor is missing , but i'm sure i can make one up . could you post dimentions for me Brian ? Hopefully you can see the bit that i'm missing . I think with a bit of paint and some thought it will be o'k . Also where do i take the electric feeds from for the lighting socket ? is there a proper loom around the back end somewhere or do i just splice into the rear lights ? I got it from a friend of mine locally and am dead chuffed with it , think it's the cranked one , shouldn't need to move over riders ??? Any thoughts ?
stina
stina
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Willy Eckerslyke
Well-Known Member
Hi Stina,
That looks a good find. As it happens, the blue scrap car I've just collected also has a proper "bent" towbar on it.
The one I weighed in on Saturday had a "straight" one, but the front end looks very similar to the one you have there. I was surprised to find that it was bolted through the rear jacking point. My own car's towbar has two parallel front bracing irons, one running either side of the jacking point which is easier to fit, but perhaps not as strong.
The length of the loose bolts on yours do suggest that they pass through the jacking point which will need to be drilled first. Anyone know if this is the more common way of fitting them?
Anyway, this does mean that I probably have a suitable part to finish yours off which will save you making one up. I'll check when I get back this evening. (Tenner plus postage if it's compatible?)
For the wiring, if you unclip and peel back the trim on the right side of the boot, above the battery, you'll see the bullet connectors leading to the rear lights. You can connect in there without cutting anything. If you buy the above, I'll throw in the wiring from the blue car, but would still recommend you buy a new socket as old ones never work reliably.
I believe that it's now a legal requirement that new fitments need a buzzer or light on the dash to indicate that the trailer flashers are working. It's up to you whether you choose to argue that your car already had a towbar before this law came in, or figure out how to comply.
That looks a good find. As it happens, the blue scrap car I've just collected also has a proper "bent" towbar on it.
The one I weighed in on Saturday had a "straight" one, but the front end looks very similar to the one you have there. I was surprised to find that it was bolted through the rear jacking point. My own car's towbar has two parallel front bracing irons, one running either side of the jacking point which is easier to fit, but perhaps not as strong.
The length of the loose bolts on yours do suggest that they pass through the jacking point which will need to be drilled first. Anyone know if this is the more common way of fitting them?
Anyway, this does mean that I probably have a suitable part to finish yours off which will save you making one up. I'll check when I get back this evening. (Tenner plus postage if it's compatible?)
For the wiring, if you unclip and peel back the trim on the right side of the boot, above the battery, you'll see the bullet connectors leading to the rear lights. You can connect in there without cutting anything. If you buy the above, I'll throw in the wiring from the blue car, but would still recommend you buy a new socket as old ones never work reliably.
I believe that it's now a legal requirement that new fitments need a buzzer or light on the dash to indicate that the trailer flashers are working. It's up to you whether you choose to argue that your car already had a towbar before this law came in, or figure out how to comply.
Dave3066
Well-Known Member
Willy Eckerslyke said:
That probably explains what the little red light on my 2000's dash is. I've not traced the wiring back to it's pick off point yet but it doesn't come on with anything else. Perhaps someone has fitted this when the legislation came in to effect?
Both of my cars have or have had (removed on the V8) the tow bar bolted through the jacking point. I also have a spare tow bar with the 2 bracing irons as you mentioned Willy.
Dave
Willy Eckerslyke
Well-Known Member
Thanks for that Dave, looks like the choice was two bracing irons or a single one bolted through the jacking point then. Can't say I'd fancy the job of fitting the latter type.
While posting photos of the blue scrap P6, I've just noticed an added red light on that one's dash too. I'd best see where it goes...
While posting photos of the blue scrap P6, I've just noticed an added red light on that one's dash too. I'd best see where it goes...
stina
New Member
Hi Willy . That sounds good to me , if it is that the bracing iron you have is the one i need then pm me . I can do pay pal or cheque . I was hunting around today and scavenged up enough metal to make something that would work , but the correct part would be better , plus the wiring would help . I was expecting to have to drill through the jacking pad , but is it a solid piece of steel or a box ? Not that it matters i'll have to drill it anyway !
stina
Ps Brian Northampton ( posted above in this thread ) has a picture in the blog in his signature of his tow bar laid on the ground with the bracing bar clearly visible , this might help you identify the bit you have . ( near the bottom of the page ) Pps , the tow bar was on there way before the legislation change officer ! :wink:
stina
Ps Brian Northampton ( posted above in this thread ) has a picture in the blog in his signature of his tow bar laid on the ground with the bracing bar clearly visible , this might help you identify the bit you have . ( near the bottom of the page ) Pps , the tow bar was on there way before the legislation change officer ! :wink:
Willy Eckerslyke
Well-Known Member
PM sent...
stina
New Member
Hi guys . Some pics of my weekend project . The pics are in the wrong order , start at the bottom ( still trying to work out now to move them )
Cleaned up the underside of the bumper and painted with hammerite smooth silver , to keep it good for a few more years . Fitted a better rear off side light unit and better battery box . Wiring the electric socket wasn't too bad . Checked it all out with multi meter .
So next weekend's project is down the tip with a trailer load of rubbish !
stina
Cleaned up the underside of the bumper and painted with hammerite smooth silver , to keep it good for a few more years . Fitted a better rear off side light unit and better battery box . Wiring the electric socket wasn't too bad . Checked it all out with multi meter .
So next weekend's project is down the tip with a trailer load of rubbish !
stina
