STi Towbar....
 

Don't laugh, but I need to fit a towbar to my 06 STi

I can't find a towbar manufacturer who does a compatible one (except for PCT who *think* their non-detachable one is compatible).

Has anybody fitted a towbar to an 06 STi, can anybody recommend a supplier ?

Thanks!
Jo

Subaru do one themeslves, check the webiste as I think it may even be on offer, link below

Towbar - Detachable<br>

I've got one of the genuine Subaru acessory ones on my MY04 STi, it's the detachable one, been on from new. It's for towing a car trailer since I don't own a caravan. Just thought I should make that totally clear from the beginning.

I tow a caravan and I don't give a sh*t what anyone else thinks. It's only a 500kg Eriba pop top anyway, so I can still dust most of those that try. I did enjoy a BMW mini cooper once trying to force me behind him and his passenger laughing as he got stuffed by a caravan from the lights.... and that was in a wrx.....

Anyway, back to the matter in hand. I also want to fit a towbar to my '06 STi (spec.D). I fitted the Subaru supplied, fixed, single electrics bar to my last car- a '03 wrx with no problems.

I'm intending to fit the removable Subaru bar to my new car as I kept smacking my leg on the old bar (great for car parks though!) again, with single electrics. I can't remember which manufacturer make them for Subaru, I think it may be Witter. But I was very happy with my old one. Most decent towbar places should be able to sort you out with a similar one, but in my past experience, the Subaru one is fine.

Regarding the special offer, they say on the website that plug in single electrics are free until Dec. 2007, but in the pdf attachment, they say Dec. '06.

Still, something to argue with them over, eh..?!! ;)

I have a bossal detachable on my MY03 STi with full graphics looks cool with a trailer or caravan on the back ...LOL

This is to tow a Caterham :)

And according to my dealer the Subaru ones will not fit the 06 Hawkeye STi due to the rear diffuser :( And every other aftermarket manufacturer says the same :(

Hmm.. strange.

I enquired at a dealer in Kent who told me only the detachable would fit. When pushed as to whether the non-detachable would fit, I was initially told no, but having pushed a touch more, I was told a few days later that by some miracle it does fit..lol!! :wonder: Maybe my powers of persuasion are too good...??!!

If you look on the main Subaru.co.uk site and go through the accessories, it brings a menu up for the WRX STi 2006-> model and under towing you get this:

Official Accessories, Merchandise & Parts - Accessories | Subaru (UK) Ltd.

So it should fit. I don't think the diffuser is far enough towards the rear of the car or close enough to the bumber to interfere....:idea:

ive got a detachable on my 07 sti.just take off the diffuser,2 bolts i think

Agreed. I have a Subaru detachable on my Spec D for towing my 7. Had to remove the diffuser though.

Diffuser? Oh that bit of plastic that would be a diffuser if it was 2mm off the ground but as it's a foot off the ground it's a ..... bit of plastic. Unbolt it and don't even worry about it.

If you want to restore the downforce you've lost put it in the boot. If you want more downforce then put a bag of cement in the boot with it.

Oh and mine's for towing a caterham too. Aren't they great?

They should weld the diffuser on so the STI can't be abused in this way ;) This officially qualifies as the worst ever mod. Buy a Forester and be done with it.

Thanks guys - has anybody got a photo of the car with the diffuser removed? What's under there :o

Hopefully this helps. The detachable tow ball fits into the square socket (shown top-centre with the plastic protection plug in) and the electrical socket swivels out of view when not in use.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tophose1/1176554316/

Thanks :)

Tophose,

Is that a Subaru supplied removable towbar or aftermarket...?

Looks very neat.

The diffuser won't bolt back on over the top of the towbar fittings I guess then?

Subaru detachable type

http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~55five/DSC_1782-1.jpg

I have a witter tow bar on my Bugeye RA, for towing my other impreza. you can remove the hitch and can only see it if looking closely. As stated you will have to loose the diffuser though.

I'm wondering if I can bolt the diffuser back on again afterwards, perhaps just cut it slightly?

The Witter sounds more invisible than the others then...

My towbar is Subaru supplied and fitted. The dealer who fitted it told me the diffuser had to be removed and wouldn't fit back on, and I haven't tried cutting it to see if that would work.

Just a quick update, late yesterday afternoon I started fitting my Subaru supplied detachable towbar (with free electrics!) to my spec.D All fits up quite nicely and is nearly all done (nightshifts stopped play at the moment). It's very impressive that when it's not attached, It appears at the moment that it's not going to be visible at all :cool:

As for the diffuser, it just about fits fine with the 'bar, but it seems at the moment it may be a bit tricky with the "swing-down" electrics. I'm sure nothing a bit of trimming won't cure. :norty:

Anyway, I'll take some pics in due course when I'm off work and post them up for reference. So far, I'm pleased with it. :thumb:

It'll be going for it's first test "use" to a caravan site near Rally Day at Castle Combe!! :hjtwofing

Cheers,
Nige. ;)

Here's another update....

Empty-head here decided he wanted the plastic tea tray to stay on under the car even with the towbar fitted so out came the stanley knife and it got butchered. Maybe I should have just taken the diffuser on and off when using the towbar, as it's only held in place by five screws/bolts.

Here are some pics anyway, it's quite an involved job to fit, but not rocket science. Although the free single electrics kit supplied was wired incorrectly at the manufacterd plug end.... :wonder:

Mid fitting:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y20...rmidfitshr.jpg

Butchered "diffuser"
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y20...towbar1shr.jpg

All fitted and nicely hidden.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y20...barshr1off.jpg

Sorted. :thumb:

I hope it's a very stripped out Impreza as the Scoob has a max tow limit of 1200kg and that includes the weight of the transporter.

Cheers
Lee

The towbar works...!! lol..!! :lol1:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y20...ay07104shr.jpg

:D :thumb:

Oh dear... not sure what is more embarrassing, a scoob with a tow bar or that midget's caravan :p

More embarrassing than mine?
Attachment 60964

Cheers
Lee

Which one tows which? ;)

Jeep has a kerb weight of 2140kg, max tow of 3500kg and 300lbft of torque.

Scoob wouldn't quite pull the van (1500kg).

Practicle Caravan Magazine has a WRX Wagon on it's test fleet at the moment. ;)

Cheers
Lee

Beats the sh*t out of lying on a cold floor with rain dripping on your head or paying £60 to stay in a dirty travel splodge that will be fully booked for the likes of Goodwood, WRGB, Rally show etc etc.... I also have a nice fridge to keep my beers cold and a nice cooker to do a chilli on. Lovely job.

And I'm certainly not a midget..... ;)

:D

Very true mate, and wouldn't blame you for pissing on the side of my tent at said events for taking the water ;)

Nice car anyway!