Tow bar manufacturer preferences - any better than others?

[danyeates]

Hi,

My dad has bought a 2012 F30 BMW 320d Sport and needs a tow bar fitting. Looking here there seem to be quite a few available, any particular preference to one over the other? We do of course want detachable.

http://www.pfjones.co.uk/tow-bars/bmw-towbars/bmw-...

I see also that Thule make a towbar for the car, as do Bosal, but haven't seen them listed on any UK suppliers' websites yet.

Anything we should be aware of in terms of the wiring? Does the dedicated kit switch off the parking sensors or will the car need recoding?

Thanks,

Dan

Edited by danyeates on Monday 7th January 15:52

[HustleRussell]

Witter, Westfalia, Bosal, each been going ages making trusted products. That's where my money would go personally.
If different tow ball heights are available be sure to get the right one, that can make-or-break the stability of your new car/trailer combo.

[Herman Toothrot]

Find which is 'OEM' BMW i.e. for Audi it's westfalia so you but the kit for the model car and it plugs straight in the loom no cutting etc its how it'd be if you species one on ordering the car new.

[danyeates]

Herman Toothrot said:

Find which is 'OEM' BMW i.e. for Audi it's westfalia so you but the kit for the model car and it plugs straight in the loom no cutting etc its how it'd be if you species one on ordering the car new.

The only OEM for the F30 is a fancy electronic tow bar which drops down and locks into place electronically. It's only available as a factory fit option unfortunately and not retrofit.

[Herman Toothrot]

danyeates said:

The only OEM for the F30 is a fancy electronic tow bar which drops down and locks into place electronically. It's only available as a factory fit option unfortunately and not retrofit.

That is fancy, I stand corrected!

[danyeates]

Herman Toothrot said:

danyeates said:

The only OEM for the F30 is a fancy electronic tow bar which drops down and locks into place electronically. It's only available as a factory fit option unfortunately and not retrofit.

That is fancy, I stand corrected!

It is fancy! Actually, I think it can be retrofitted, but it costs thousands to do so!!

[Rudy 111]

As said, Westfalia, Thule, Witter, Bosal all big names that produce good quality tow bars. Get one specific for your car and model year and you don't have to worry about the ball height or anything.
Wiring is mostly straightforward nowadays as well, when you buy a 'vehicle specific' wiring kit it is usually plug&play and your PDC should disengage when you reverse with a trailer hooked up. Some cars require a visit to the dealer for the cars software to 'identify' the new hardware.

[Willber]

I have a Westfalia detachable on my Caddy van, excellent. Also have the same kit fitted to a 2011 Mercedes and 2011 BMW, I think the proper loom will work itself round parking sensors etc.

Would recommend.

[Fats25]

I bought from PF jones recently - cannot knock their customer service, but do beware their wiring kits are not OEM. They use another company to make them.

I bought a Westfalia detachable for my Touareg. Very pleased with it, and the price from PF Jones. However I had a few quirks with the wiring kit they supplied - alarm going off when the car was locked and the lock button was accidentally pressed, errors showing on the VCDS, and alarm not being activated if electrics unplugged when vehicle was alarmed.

After my general complaints it finally got rectified, by PF Jones, with an OEM Westfalia wiring kit for the Touareg. I did write to them telling them to be clearer on the website that when stating specific make and model wiring kits they should state they are not OEM - but does not seem to have changed.

I would recommend PF Jones as price and service was good, just make it clear you want the OEM wiring kit, even if a few quid more.

[danyeates]

Great advice, thanks.