Tow Bar

Franknstein · Post by **Franknstein** » Mon Oct 01, 2012 12:47 pm

I was wondering which towbar to fit to my e53 X5. I see some kits on ebay for around £200.
The westfalia kit far more expensive, about double... and the £200 kits have same removable swan neck system.
Does anyone have any experience with the cheaper kits over the more expensive ones?

thanks

Steamyrotter · Post by **Steamyrotter** » Mon Oct 01, 2012 1:04 pm

Fit a KNOWN make. - Dont risk anything else.

Westfalia & witter are good (I have witter and am well happy)

Dont forget they need to have the correct approvals etc

Franknstein · Post by **Franknstein** » Mon Oct 01, 2012 1:10 pm

Well this is the one I was looking at:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290610392133? ... 1438.l2649

That ok?
Good price I thought

ChrisLux · Post by **ChrisLux** » Mon Oct 01, 2012 1:14 pm

I'm just about to fit a Westfalia to my '05 model.
I chose it because they made the OEM for BMW.
The electrics are matched to the car so you don't have probs with parking sensors etc.

BMW quoted me £1400,and www.tridenttowing.co.uk £585 all in,fitting & VAT.

I know there are cheaper (although I didn't find any £200) but you get what yo
pay for at he end of the day

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Mon Oct 01, 2012 1:16 pm

Westfalia are OEM - so you know that will fit correctly.

My only experience with a 'cheap' towbar was on a previous car and when it turned up I discovered that it was only rated to half the OEM stated towing capacity, had a lower nose-weight limit and didn't fit the manufacturers installed hard-points in place in the chassis!! It needed holes drilled in new places like through the spare wheel well tray - not exactly a 'strong-point' It was really only for pulling little box trailers and therefore useless. It went straight back!! I replaced it with the Witter version and that matched all the specs and hard-points.

You get what you pay for.

R

Franknstein · Post by **Franknstein** » Mon Oct 01, 2012 1:17 pm

So the witter in my ebay link should do then yes?

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Mon Oct 01, 2012 2:01 pm

It might be worth checking the part number somewhere......like a Witter own site......just to ensure there are no limitations that might cause you grief.

PF Jones are a well known supplier, so you ought to be OK. It might be that with the car now more than 5 years after end of production, they want to clear out their stocks.

R

ChrisLux · Post by **ChrisLux** » Tue Oct 02, 2012 12:26 pm

[quote="X5Sport"]
It might be worth checking the part number somewhere......like a Witter own site......just to ensure there are no limitations that might cause you grief.

PF Jones are a well known supplier, so you ought to be OK. It might be that with the car now more than 5 years after end of production, they want to clear out their stocks.

R
[/quote]

It's PFJ advertising on ebay so it shud be all kosher . It's made me think twice about taking the Westfalia as
it looks the same and is EC approved .

AW8 · Post by **AW8** » Tue Oct 02, 2012 1:00 pm

Some while since I considered this so apologies if I'm a little rusty on this.

Don't forget correct dedicated electrics to allow the trailer stability programme (TSP) to work properly. Unclear from a quick google as to what's excatly involved.

this thread on xoutpost speaks of different requirements for european and non european cars and also debates whether there is a need to pregrogarm the car after fitment. Bear in mind some discussions there are market specific. TSP not only dectivates rear PDC but should also change setings on the DSC so as to reduce sway risk.

Worth doing some research or getting more info from those in the know..........ideally a knoweldgable forum member.

Steamyrotter · Post by **Steamyrotter** » Tue Oct 02, 2012 1:12 pm

Got my Witter form PF Jones with full electric pack.
Unit mounts in the boot by battery and plugs straight into the loom at that point.

No programming needed and car accepted it straight away.

Trailer bulb failure displays on the dash.

stevox5 · Post by **stevox5** » Tue Oct 02, 2012 1:18 pm

I have fitted both wittier and westfalia supplied by them and both are good quality , I would say the westfalia is the better quality and slightly neater fit but not a lot in it.
As already advised make sure you use a dedicated elec kit.

Franknstein · Post by **Franknstein** » Tue Oct 02, 2012 1:18 pm

Trailer bulb failure? So that should not happen I take it?

mikem · Post by **mikem** » Tue Oct 02, 2012 9:53 pm

Think the Westfalia is rated at 3.5T Vs 2.5T for the Witter (Not sure most people would ever need 3.5T though.

ChrisLux · Post by **ChrisLux** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 6:54 am

Well I e-mailed PFJ yesterday and I was NOT impressed at all .

I either had a clown or a trainee answering me !!

In the end , the cost of the Witter + electrics + bypass relay (whatever that is) + Europeen
electrics + fitting + hassle + not the same weight rating , it works out only slightly cheaper
than the Westfalia . £505 agst £585 .

So I'm going with the OEM Westfalia option for security and peace of mind .

shadrack · Post by **shadrack** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 7:22 am

[quote="mikem"]
Think the Westfalia is rated at 3.5T Vs 2.5T for the Witter (Not sure most people would ever need 3.5T though.
[/quote]

Witter also do a 3.5t one but I don't think any of the bmws are rated to tow 3.5t, and most people will never need to tow that much

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