Towbar query (I'm so sad!)
27 February 2002, 12:57 PM
#1
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Has anyone had experience of using a towbar on their Impreza? I need one for my MY00 turbo for a trailer (not a caravan - I'm not that sad) but obviously I don't want it to look pants. 'Brink' do a removeable bar which they say doesn't need the rear bumper to be cut, or there is a genuine Subaru one. Any experiences/advice anyone?? Cheers, HotRod
27 February 2002, 01:08 PM
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I have (sin I know) fitted a towbar to my Wagon.
In the end I went to a towbar and trailer specialist who fitted a non-removable one. No cutting of bumper etc.. cost was £120 including VAt which is considerubly cheaper than Subaru, but it is not removeable.
The subaru one you can remove the ball and section that protrudes from the back so it is less or not visable.. and also the wiring plugs into a purpose fit socket which is in all the cars above the passenger rear light amoungst the wiring apparently. All non-subaru wiring will just splice into the wiring which is perfectly fine but some people prefer to the plug in method.
As to towing.. I have found it to cope very well and tow a couple of trailers of varying weight without a problem.
JGM
In the end I went to a towbar and trailer specialist who fitted a non-removable one. No cutting of bumper etc.. cost was £120 including VAt which is considerubly cheaper than Subaru, but it is not removeable.
The subaru one you can remove the ball and section that protrudes from the back so it is less or not visable.. and also the wiring plugs into a purpose fit socket which is in all the cars above the passenger rear light amoungst the wiring apparently. All non-subaru wiring will just splice into the wiring which is perfectly fine but some people prefer to the plug in method.
As to towing.. I have found it to cope very well and tow a couple of trailers of varying weight without a problem.
JGM
27 February 2002, 01:26 PM
#3
Hi Hotrod
... take a look at Bosal. They do a some 'nice' removable one, but be warned it's not cheap
Cheers
Adam
PS. This didn't require cutting the bumper or drilling any holes
[Edited by Adam B - 3/1/2002 11:39:34 AM]
... take a look at Bosal. They do a some 'nice' removable one, but be warned it's not cheap
Cheers
Adam
PS. This didn't require cutting the bumper or drilling any holes
[Edited by Adam B - 3/1/2002 11:39:34 AM]
27 February 2002, 02:43 PM
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Hi, about the towbar, Witter do a great one. The ball and support remove and the frame that is fixed to the car is barely visible. The ball can be fitted in 2 mins with 4 bolts . The bumper does not require citting either!!
Cheers Steve.
Cheers Steve.
27 February 2002, 02:57 PM
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aha fellow tow bar users 
I have a tow bar on my Sti-V!
It comes off as Steve T has said via the 4 bolts and then the rest of it is pretty hidden away, plus it only takes 5 mins to put back on...
I have a tow bar on my Sti-V!
It comes off as Steve T has said via the 4 bolts and then the rest of it is pretty hidden away, plus it only takes 5 mins to put back on...
27 February 2002, 04:26 PM
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Thanks for the replies fuys - seems I'm not alone.
I may go for the Witter (ie cheaper) version as I don't plan to use it very often - but what about the electics on this one? - isn't the ugly plug socket normally next to the ball?, or are yours hidden up under the bumper - please advise neatest way to get them to fit it.
Many thanks, HotRod
I may go for the Witter (ie cheaper) version as I don't plan to use it very often - but what about the electics on this one? - isn't the ugly plug socket normally next to the ball?, or are yours hidden up under the bumper - please advise neatest way to get them to fit it.
Many thanks, HotRod
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27 February 2002, 04:30 PM
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Mines the horrible one next to the tow bar, but when the tow bar is off you really have to look to see it, i may reposition it for aesthetic purposes 
27 February 2002, 04:41 PM
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Hotrod,
I too have a towbar (bike rack). after speaking to a friend who PDI's Subaru's for a local garage I went for a Subaru one. This friend, who incidentily would have nothing to gain if I bought Subaru or not, said he had seen cars where the floor (under the spare tyre) had been ripped due to towing with non Subaru approved version. Now perhaps they had just towed too much / got un -lucky or what ever but it's worth thinking about.
I too have been very happy with mine, no problems even when loaded to max limit with bikes etc. Apart from one wet roundabout where the backend broke free big time!!!
I too have a towbar (bike rack). after speaking to a friend who PDI's Subaru's for a local garage I went for a Subaru one. This friend, who incidentily would have nothing to gain if I bought Subaru or not, said he had seen cars where the floor (under the spare tyre) had been ripped due to towing with non Subaru approved version. Now perhaps they had just towed too much / got un -lucky or what ever but it's worth thinking about.
I too have been very happy with mine, no problems even when loaded to max limit with bikes etc. Apart from one wet roundabout where the backend broke free big time!!!
27 February 2002, 04:41 PM
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Thanks, that's reassuring. Presumably it's this type of Witter bar (www.towingbrackets.com/acatalog/su15a.html) and you remove the 4 bolts marked H to remove the ball & bracket? -if soo looks quite neat
HotRod
HotRod
27 February 2002, 04:44 PM
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Neno - your post arrived while I was typing - thanks. Talking to a towbar fitter today they said all bolts go into pre-drilled holes or captive nuts onthe Scoob so all types should mount in the same places. Let's hope your mates experience was a one-off (perhaps not a type-approved one??. Cheers HR
27 February 2002, 04:54 PM
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HotRod,
Was gonna say Witter tow bars are pretty good, had one on my old Golf Gti, used to tow about a 3 motorcycle trailer with a couple of race bikes on there no probs, if you put it on correctly you'd be really unlucky to get problems from it.
Was gonna say Witter tow bars are pretty good, had one on my old Golf Gti, used to tow about a 3 motorcycle trailer with a couple of race bikes on there no probs, if you put it on correctly you'd be really unlucky to get problems from it.
27 February 2002, 04:59 PM
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Ive got a Witter on my 5-door which is great.
The only problem is if you fit a SS back box.
Mine hit the exhaust tail pipe if you went over a bump. I had to put a small dent in the top of the tailpipe to give it a bit more clearance but you cannot see it as it is under the rear valance.
Stuart
The only problem is if you fit a SS back box.
Mine hit the exhaust tail pipe if you went over a bump. I had to put a small dent in the top of the tailpipe to give it a bit more clearance but you cannot see it as it is under the rear valance.
Stuart
27 February 2002, 05:25 PM
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Hotrod
I've got the Witter one on my STi5 Type-R which is used for tugging race bikes around.I also have a SS full system that doesn't foul the BB and the socket is tucked away under bumper so doesn't look too bad.
Guildford Trailors supplied and fitted it(without cutting bumper) for about £200 if I remember right.
I've got the Witter one on my STi5 Type-R which is used for tugging race bikes around.I also have a SS full system that doesn't foul the BB and the socket is tucked away under bumper so doesn't look too bad.
Guildford Trailors supplied and fitted it(without cutting bumper) for about £200 if I remember right.
27 February 2002, 05:31 PM
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The splitting spare wheel well is a worry... but I have pulled a
fair amount of weight... at a guess about 500kgs with no problems and it has done about 3000miles towing and it had just passed an MOT, so I am sure if there was anything wrong they would have noticed.
Perhaps if you tow a big caravan or another car problems might occur??
fair amount of weight... at a guess about 500kgs with no problems and it has done about 3000miles towing and it had just passed an MOT, so I am sure if there was anything wrong they would have noticed.
Perhaps if you tow a big caravan or another car problems might occur??
27 February 2002, 07:15 PM
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JGM2, glad you've had no problems.
I certainly didn't want to put a downer on it for anyone. I figure if you have all the facts you'll know to check and keep an eye on, as well as making an informed decision.
As long as it fits into the standard bolt holes you'd think it would be fine.
All the same with ten grands worth of (uninsured) mountain bikes on the back I'll stick to genuine!!
I certainly didn't want to put a downer on it for anyone. I figure if you have all the facts you'll know to check and keep an eye on, as well as making an informed decision.
As long as it fits into the standard bolt holes you'd think it would be fine.
All the same with ten grands worth of (uninsured) mountain bikes on the back I'll stick to genuine!!
28 February 2002, 01:04 AM
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Hot Rod
I have a Subaru tow bracket on my UK300, it has a detachable arm and is quite discreet so it doesnt look unsightly at all. It cost about £300 or was it nearly £400 but is worth it. The quality is excellent. I used it to tow my Yam R1 on an Erde trailer to Nurburgring and the whole thing was very safe and stable (tried it up to a ton on the autobahn!). It is worth taking a look at the other makes of bracket as many still use unsightly angle iron that sticks out the back.
I have a Subaru tow bracket on my UK300, it has a detachable arm and is quite discreet so it doesnt look unsightly at all. It cost about £300 or was it nearly £400 but is worth it. The quality is excellent. I used it to tow my Yam R1 on an Erde trailer to Nurburgring and the whole thing was very safe and stable (tried it up to a ton on the autobahn!). It is worth taking a look at the other makes of bracket as many still use unsightly angle iron that sticks out the back.
28 February 2002, 10:55 AM
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Thanks for your views guys. For the few time I'll use it I think the conclusion is to get a sub-£200 Witter bar and unbolt the ugly bits when not in use. I'll be pulling a 'compact' car trailer but only with either a chassis or body bits (to the paint shop) so hopefully won't overload the poor Scoob (must look at the towing limits) Cheers HotRod
28 February 2002, 12:57 PM
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HotRod,
I have just fitted a bar to my car (MY99). I had some problems due to some bars not fitting without bending a support bracket for the RHS tow eye at 90 degrees. This is apparently not the case on all cars. I was unhappy about this as I thought it would damage the underproofing and reduce resale value.
I returned the Towsure bracket for this reason. The Witter is identical in constructing so that was out. These bars do not require trimming the inside of the bumper, but required one hole to be drilled through the floor pan.
Bosal and Brink are much more substantial, require no drilling, though the back of the bumper will need trimming as the cross member is thicker.
In the end I found a demountable Subaru bar second hand and fitted that. Oh yes, this did need the bumper to be trimmed, but plastic done not rust!
Though if you don't fit the bar your self you will never know what mods have been done to your car.
Duke
I have just fitted a bar to my car (MY99). I had some problems due to some bars not fitting without bending a support bracket for the RHS tow eye at 90 degrees. This is apparently not the case on all cars. I was unhappy about this as I thought it would damage the underproofing and reduce resale value.
I returned the Towsure bracket for this reason. The Witter is identical in constructing so that was out. These bars do not require trimming the inside of the bumper, but required one hole to be drilled through the floor pan.
Bosal and Brink are much more substantial, require no drilling, though the back of the bumper will need trimming as the cross member is thicker.
In the end I found a demountable Subaru bar second hand and fitted that. Oh yes, this did need the bumper to be trimmed, but plastic done not rust!
Though if you don't fit the bar your self you will never know what mods have been done to your car.
Duke
01 March 2002, 10:58 AM
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Hi Guys
we have a 2nd hand Genuine Scoob one spare if any body needs one.. i'm sure we can sort out a sensible price
I might even make a cup of tea
.. if you collect of course. Just mail or call!Cheers
Paul
TSL
01 March 2002, 11:57 AM
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I've just put a witter one (second hand), with the removable (unboltable) hitch fork on my MY97, the RHS towing eye mount did not need 'modifying' - the RHS towbar mounting plate unbolts from the crossmember, you then bolt it all back together with the plate in between. The bar has spacers to facilitate this.
Only fiddle was getting it in between the bumper and car. 'zorst now hangs off the bracket on the towbar.
- Mark.
Only fiddle was getting it in between the bumper and car. 'zorst now hangs off the bracket on the towbar.
- Mark.
02 March 2002, 10:36 AM
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Sorry about the delay...
I've got a Witter fitted to my MY01. Looks OK, works well for towing 600kg of bikes and trailer. I guess you *could* remove the ball, but as I spend a lot of time on the motorway and more in town, both places where the chances of getting a rear end shunt are pretty high, I'll leave it on.
The electrics are by the side but don't really show up.
Edited to say that it was a dealer fit, in case there are any warranty concerns (not quite sure how, but still...) and to correct my speeling.
HTH,
SB
[Edited by Sbradley - 3/2/2002 10:38:15 AM]
[Edited by Sbradley - 3/2/2002 10:39:01 AM]
I've got a Witter fitted to my MY01. Looks OK, works well for towing 600kg of bikes and trailer. I guess you *could* remove the ball, but as I spend a lot of time on the motorway and more in town, both places where the chances of getting a rear end shunt are pretty high, I'll leave it on.
The electrics are by the side but don't really show up.
Edited to say that it was a dealer fit, in case there are any warranty concerns (not quite sure how, but still...) and to correct my speeling.
HTH,
SB
[Edited by Sbradley - 3/2/2002 10:38:15 AM]
[Edited by Sbradley - 3/2/2002 10:39:01 AM]
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