Viewing a car- do towbars put you off?
Discussion
As in, (potentially) used to tow a caravan? Don't think it bothers me that much, esp. on an older cheap-end car.
Some peeps don't bother removing them it seems, despite never owning a caravan/trailer. Parking aid (of sorts)?
This probably has been discussed previously. If so, appology goes out.
Some peeps don't bother removing them it seems, despite never owning a caravan/trailer. Parking aid (of sorts)?
This probably has been discussed previously. If so, appology goes out.
wouldn't put me off- but i'd pay extra attention to the cars shut lines, and i'd closely inspect the tow bar and how its fitted, to make sure nothing has started rusting into the cars chassis.
Like the comment above, i'd be put off if a towbar was on an inappropriate car. A 1.1 shopping trolley with a towbar will have been thrashed to an inch of its tiny life. But a diesel Passat, I wouldnt worry so much.
If the cars in good condition, and drives well, and the clutch doesnt slip, then a towbar is a bonus for me. Got rear ended in a transit with a towbar years ago- barely a scratch on the van i was in- but the offending drivers van behind, was a write off. Turns out he was insured too.
Like the comment above, i'd be put off if a towbar was on an inappropriate car. A 1.1 shopping trolley with a towbar will have been thrashed to an inch of its tiny life. But a diesel Passat, I wouldnt worry so much.
If the cars in good condition, and drives well, and the clutch doesnt slip, then a towbar is a bonus for me. Got rear ended in a transit with a towbar years ago- barely a scratch on the van i was in- but the offending drivers van behind, was a write off. Turns out he was insured too.
Edited by Fordo on Sunday 2nd January 13:21
May put me off depending on the car. Also depends on what the seller had to say. I bought a small (derv) car a few years ago that came with a tow bar. Car completley unsuitable for towing a caravan, so not too concerned about that. Asked him why it was fitted and he said they got it so they could tow a tent trailer on holiday, but never got round to using it. I was happy with that, and even if it had been used (didnt look like it) then it wouldnt have done much harm to the car.
It also depends on how long you are likley to keep the car. 2 years and 10K miles - not likley you will see anything adverse from a car that has towed. 10years and 100K miles, I would probably walk away.
I do like the idea of having a tow bar though, just one of thos manley things I suppose.
It also depends on how long you are likley to keep the car. 2 years and 10K miles - not likley you will see anything adverse from a car that has towed. 10years and 100K miles, I would probably walk away.
I do like the idea of having a tow bar though, just one of thos manley things I suppose.
Fordo said:
Got rear ended in a transit with a towbar years ago- barely a scratch on the van i was in- but the offending drivers van behind, was a write off.
A lesson I learnt from my parents when I was very young... Our family car had a towbar and I remember it badly damaging the radiators and grilles of the few cars that rear-ended us 
If it was a big, plodding diesel estate or a 4x4 - no
Anything else - yes.
You get them on unlikely candidates too. I once saw a Chevrolet Camaro Z28 with one fitted (and rusting heroically into the rear chassis legs), and a local builder used to go from job to job towing his trailer of bits and bobs behind a pristine-looking Ginetta G26.
Anything else - yes.
You get them on unlikely candidates too. I once saw a Chevrolet Camaro Z28 with one fitted (and rusting heroically into the rear chassis legs), and a local builder used to go from job to job towing his trailer of bits and bobs behind a pristine-looking Ginetta G26.
I usually look on them as a bonus.
As to inappropriate - the OH has a MB C class coupe - we have a towbar fitted for towing my mx bike (hardly heavy!) and we also borrow my dads trailer if we need to pick up furniture, take stuff to the tip etc - again it's hardly heavy.
It's detachable however I've never removed it since it acts as protection in supermarkets etc
As to inappropriate - the OH has a MB C class coupe - we have a towbar fitted for towing my mx bike (hardly heavy!) and we also borrow my dads trailer if we need to pick up furniture, take stuff to the tip etc - again it's hardly heavy.
It's detachable however I've never removed it since it acts as protection in supermarkets etc
dowahdiddyman said:
Depends on the car, my Sorento came with a towbar fitted, no problem, if my Hyundai Coupe had got one on I`d have been a bit worried and probably walked away.
depends on the car! If it's a 4x4 it wouldnt bother me! if it was a hot hatch, convertible etc it would bother meDepends on how it's been fitted. If it's a manufacturer one, it should be fine; but there are some shocking third-party installations out there which put strains on bits of the car that really aren't designed for it.
I'd certainly check for any chassis damage around the mount points in case someone has reversed into something with it fitted. Even very low speed impacts can cause chassis damage when the rear-most point on the car is bolted directly to something structural.
I'd certainly check for any chassis damage around the mount points in case someone has reversed into something with it fitted. Even very low speed impacts can cause chassis damage when the rear-most point on the car is bolted directly to something structural.
wouldn't bother me as long as the clutch felt fine. given how slow the average caravanner drives even without the caravan on, I'd rather have an ex tow car with 100,000 miles than one thats been thrashed by a young driver for 100,000 miles. given how occasional caravan use tends to be, the extra strain of the caravan once in a while is preferable to the extra strain of an idiot all the time.
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