Not only is fitting it by yourself a huge safety concern, but you could also be invalidating the towbar or car manufacturer’s warranty by doing the work yourself. Unless you are a mechanic or towbar fitter, we would always advise that your towbar is installed by a professional so you can be sure it is safe and secure.
The X-Trails, Navaras and Qashqais are the given choice of towing car from Nissan. They are consistently score highly at Towcar of the Year as their cars do everything asked of them. Each year our judges remark that Nissan cars just seem to keep getting better, inspiring confidence as a good all-rounder.
How do you attach a towbar?
Can you fit a tow bar to any car?
If you are wondering whether towbars are transferable, the short answer is no. As an experienced manufacturer, we would never recommend transferring a towbar onto another car. Some people think it is fine to transfer a towbar from one vehicle to another.
Every single make and model of car is different so we always say to our customers that we allow 3 1/2 – 4 hours for the fitting. Some models of vehicle can take a couple of hours and some can be much trickier than others, occasionally even longer than 4 hours.
What’s the difference between 7 pin and 13 pin?
The difference between a 7-pin and 13-pin plug is that a 13-pin plug has more functions. A 7-pin plug only supplies in basic lighting, such as blinkers and brake lights. Perfect for bike carriers. The additional pins in the 13-pin plug are used for the reversing lights and the rear mist light, among other things.
Are tow bars universal?
towbars are vehicle specific so the options of towbar types can be limited depending on the car make and model. However, most modern vehicles have options for all towbar styles and types.
Can I put a tow bar on my car UK?
Towing bars
If you get a tow bar for your car, it needs to be ‘type approved’. This means it meets EU regulations and is designed for your car. Type-approved tow bars have a label with: an approval number.
Does a detachable towbar devalue a car?
Some detachable towbars allow you to tow and carry bikes at the same time and when you are not towing, it becomes almost invisible once removed. A detachable towbar doesn’t affect your car’s appearance and is easy to use, remove and store.
MOT tests include towbars if you have one attached to your car, as these are considered to be essential items to ensure your vehicle is road safe.
Do you have to declare a tow bar on insurance?
A towbar does count as a modification to your vehicle, because fitting one will mean that the vehicle will now be different from the manufacturer’s factory specification. This means you will need to inform your company if you are planning on having a towbar so they can adjust your policy details accordingly.
Do you need electrics on a tow bar?
A towbar wiring kit works by connecting the electrics and lights on your main vehicle to the lighting board on your trailer, caravan or bike rack. Meaning that when you indicate or brake, these lights will be illuminated on your trailer or caravan as well as your car. This is a legal requirement when towing.
How do you tell if a car has been used for towing?
The easiest way to find out if your vehicle has been towed and where it is being stored, is by using the Towed Vehicle Tracing Service (TRACE). TRACE is a free 24 hours a day helpline service for anyone whose vehicle may have been towed away. You can phone TRACE on 0300 077 0100 for assistance.
Does a towbar damage a car?
A tow bar will protect you in very low speed collisions, but will cause considerably more damage to the car (and the occupants) in a higher speed collision because the force is transferred straight onto the chassis, bypassing the crumple zones.
Is Clamping Illegal? It is illegal to clamp, block or tow away a car parked on private land or property unless you have lawful authority.
Is a towbar a modification?
Yes. A towbar counts as a modification to your vehicle in that it will differ from the manufacturer’s factory specification once fitted.
Does towing a trailer affect insurance?
Car insurance is a legal requirement, but insurance for a towed unit isn’t mandatory. However, if you have an accident as a result of towing your caravan or trailer, it can be very costly if you’re not insured. To make sure you’re covered look in to getting your caravan insured separately.
Do you need to tell insurance about roof rack?
Unfortunately, many, if not most, insurers would consider a roof box and/or roof rack, a vehicle modification that they would need to be notified about. Failure to inform them of this addition could lead to you not being covered for damage or loss to the roof box or its contents.
Does towing a caravan affect your insurance?
Most car insurance policies cover your vehicle while towing a caravan, but they almost certainly won’t cover damage to your caravan in the event of a collision. Do check, but you’ll probably find that caravans are specifically excluded in the policy. That’s why it’s important to take out additional caravan insurance.
What is the speed limit when towing a caravan?
The fastest you are permitted to go is 60mph. It might seem irritating to chug along 10mph more slowly than all the other law-abiding drivers, but this lower maximum speed helps keep a car and caravan stable and safe.