Viewing a car- do towbars put you off?

[kambites]

I didn't think caravans were actually that heavy anyway? There are certainly heavier things that get towed around (racing and/or track cars being the obvious one).

[Lanby]

kambites said:

I didn't think caravans were actually that heavy anyway? There are certainly heavier things that get towed around (racing and/or track cars being the obvious one).

About 1200-1400kg, a lot less than a car on a trailer

[philoldsmobile]

Lanby said:

kambites said:

I didn't think caravans were actually that heavy anyway? There are certainly heavier things that get towed around (racing and/or track cars being the obvious one).

About 1200-1400kg, a lot less than a car on a trailer

yup, not much more than four really fat mates and a boot full of crap

[*Al*]

Towbars certainly make me consider a purchase, but as with most that has beed covered already it depends on the model of car,usage,single or twin electrics etc.If the particular model car is common with tow bar usage i wouldn't worry too much.
On a more negative note a car that has constantly been used for towing heavier weights than usual,then wear can be a problem throughout the transmission.Fatique on parts will also be of concern.

[10AE]

On a diesel Volvo estate? No worries! On an MX5? Hmm..!

I have one on the daily, came in use when I needed to tow something unplanned and also acts as a buffer if people get a bit close parking.

[Lanby]

Most cars can be used for towing without issue Maserati but not all! Renault 5

Edited by Lanby on Monday 3rd January 18:30

[paintman]

Having one already on it was a plus point! Saved me the expense.

[Chris_w666]

My Volvo has one, which I just thought great I can get a bike rack and borrow the box trailer from work. I didn't actually think about its previous life.

[juansolo]

My old Impreza:

Edited by juansolo on Monday 3rd January 13:48

[ChevronB19]

I bought a 205 GTi 1.6 about 5 years ago - great condition and about 90K. It had a towbar, but apparently when new was a company car for an estate agent. Towbar was used for a mini trailer to cart for sale signs around.

Didn't bother me at all - obvious it couldn't have towed anything heavy, and the towbar managed to write off a 3 year old 206 when a 'dozy bint on her phone' drove into the back of me at about 10 mph - all it did was scuff the towbar cover (and yes I did check my floorpan). Sold it 2 years ago and regret it!

[H_Kan]

It would put me off, but then that is because the sort of cars I want or have had aren't really ideal for towing.

They also look quite ugly imo and would put me off from an aesthetic pov.

[FranKinFezza]

kambites said:

I don't really have anything against caravans either, to be honest, as long as they're driven considerately.

Burn the heretic burn him burrrrnnnn hiiiiimmmmm .

[XJSJohn]

appropriate?

[Garett]

Knew I'd seen this thread somewhere! I went to look at a Volvo S60 D5 today and it had a tow bar with twin electrics that put me off a bit. Having read this thread I've realised that its probably not to worry as the clutch felt fine and its a car fully capable of towing a caravan quite easily.

I also had a look for scuffs around the tow bar on the rear bumper as this could possibly indicate if its had a lot of use, if its getting hitched to a caravan all the time its bound to get knocked sooner or later, it looked immaculate, as was the rest of the car.

[thinfourth2]

Okay look at it from another angle.

What's worse for a car. Retired couple towing a caravan slowly or Roger the rep thrashing the car to death.

[vxrandy]

I took the fIL to see a volvo S80 last week which had a tow bar on in the pics on AT, but when we got there no tow bar to be seen or even any sign of it ever having one. Which pissed him off a bit, but how many people out there have a car that has towed something like a burger van all it's life and don't know?

[Compo_Simmonite]

All my cars end up with a towbar (I've 3 trailers of different sizes - tiny / cheapest Halfords that weighs 50 kg empty, 8x4 flatbed and ex military "wide track" Sankey !) so a bonus to me if already fitted.
Pity they are so expensive (£450) otherwise I'd have one on my Smart ForTwo - seriously.

Paul H

[coupeboy]

Unless I knew the car and what it was towing, I wouldn't buy a car with a tow bar fitted.

[andyscole]

I have a small trailer, so have had a towbar fitted to my last 3 cars. I do find that people always ask and do seem worried if it's been twoing a caravan.

My current bmw has a bm fitted single electric fitted which only found when looking at the car, and for me it was the deal clincher, as was close to buying and saving £300-400. Espescially as it looked like the towbar had only been used once in it's life so no idea why it was fitted...