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Tow Bar, or not Tow Bar

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Old 01 September 2000, 01:33 PM
  #1  
KRIS
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I have a 5 dr MY98 and now I am considering fitting a tow bar. I need to pull a bike trailer,nothing to heavy but I dont want a big ugly ball sticking out the back of my car. Has anyone got any experience or telephone numbers for a hideaway or fold away tow bar that is neat and tidy. Also how many £££££`s am I looking at?

Thank u in anticipation

KRIS
Old 01 September 2000, 02:16 PM
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Your friendly neighbourhood Subaru Dealer can sort you out. 2 versions, 1 that stays visible (like mine ) & a "hideaway"/removable other. Can't remember cost as mine got swallowed in the finance figures but £210 rings a bell, fitted & with single electrics.

I'm going to duck before the "aftermarket" proponents dive in, but before I do, the bonus part for me was the reflective Subaru Logo'd ball protector

Just to give you an idea of the fixed type & I'm sorry about Mike Rainbird leering through the windscreen - must edit him out

Old 01 September 2000, 02:21 PM
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Martin Cook
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Wink

Kris
Are you mad man??!!
Spend you hard earned dosh on a downpipe.
Go on......You know you want too

Hope your well

Martin

Old 01 September 2000, 03:28 PM
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blp
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As well as the main dealer, check out a Witter Tow Bar centre. They are all over the country. They do a good range, including a removable one which really does almost disappear when you take the back end off via the 4 bolts. I think u r looking at either £150 or £250.
Old 01 September 2000, 04:25 PM
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H
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Cool

Tow Bar!!!!

Sad...I'd go for the downpipe option if I was you!
Old 02 September 2000, 12:19 AM
  #6  
Paul Wilson
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Angry

KRIS, I've got the same witter bar as blp, adn it was £200 fitted to an STi, could have got it for £150 fitted from a mobile fitter, but time was a factor. Worth calling around for prices from companies in the yellow pages.


H, you still here? shame.
Old 02 September 2000, 10:19 AM
  #7  
H
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Kris

Yes....Sad! It doesn't matter what your towing - FACT, there should be no such thing as the scooby Wagon and FACT no scooby should have a tow bar!

Namby Pamby?!? - if you want something un-mamby pamby...try some thing full contact

Old 02 September 2000, 12:22 PM
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KRIS
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SAD EH ??? The trailer will be for my race bike.None of this namby pamby four wheel metal box stuff....full on knee down fairing rubbing action....

So poke that up your downpipe you saddo`s !!!

Thanks for the info chaps I will look at both those options and for 200 squid it cant be bad.

Who wants a race then ????...Martin...??

K
Old 02 September 2000, 12:32 PM
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SimonB
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Cool

Try Indespension as well. Had a permanent one fitted to my STi3 5dr £150.00 inc, who cares if it's visible!

I tow my Midget race car with this setup, it's faster on the trailer than the track!

Cheers.
Old 03 September 2000, 03:25 PM
  #10  
KRIS
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H or is it Mr opinionated , try knitting as a hobby,I think you`ve had to many blows to your head.
K
Old 04 September 2000, 09:38 PM
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pslewis
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Get the proper Subaru 'removable' one - you do NOT want a towbar on show
Also get the garage to fit the mechanical bit - I did it myself and its a bitch !!
The electrics are simple as long as you get the Subaru single electric kit - just plugs in!!!! connector is already there and waiting!!
About £280 - more than a Witter but invisible !! cheap at twice the price !!
Pete
Old 04 September 2000, 10:26 PM
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simes
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Go for a permanent one, extra protection for the back.

I had one on a Morris Minor of all things, and got driven into by a burk in a cavalier, in a car park. He managed to hook himself on it and then tried to reverse off which did even more damage. His car was pronounced undrivable, something serious had got bent, and had to be taken away. He wasn't happy cos he was supposed to be going on a driving holiday to France the next day.

The only damage to the moggie was a broken number plate light! I felt tempted to claim on the insurance for the bulb, didn't have the heart in the end!

Cheers

Simon
Old 04 September 2000, 11:02 PM
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SimonM
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Not tow bar

SimonM

Old 16 September 2000, 11:15 PM
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Imago
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Who was it that I saw in Oxford driving an RB5 which was towing a caravan?
Old 17 September 2000, 12:12 AM
  #15  
Paul Wilson
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madbrit, as far as I know the general rule for towing is that the weight of the trailer and load should not exceed 2/3 the weight of the car.

I tow a 600kg car on a 3-400 kg trailer (braked) with no problems. At speeds that may well get you into trouble
Old 17 September 2000, 02:03 AM
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madbrit
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Question

What is the Impreza rated to tow in the UK?

In North America they have a very particular view of towing - anything less than a SUV is rated for around 1000lbs.

Typical people carriers (Vans) with a tow package (tranny cooler, etc) are rated for around 3000lb.

I would be interested to know, as I am frequently told here that the Impreza cant tow my 1900lb boat!

Martin
Old 17 September 2000, 09:10 PM
  #17  
SimonB
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Madbrit
The Scooby is rated at 1200Kg I believe.
Old 17 September 2000, 10:19 PM
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AndyMc
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I thought the weight you could tow was different if the trailer had its own brakes.

Race cars ,motorbikes,jet-ski's.I believe you!Honest!
Old 17 September 2000, 10:24 PM
  #19  
SimonB
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AndyMc

Limit for the Scooby is a mere 500Kg unbraked
as opposed to a 1200Kg braked trailer.

Cheers, Simon.
Old 17 September 2000, 11:13 PM
  #20  
Paul Wilson
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SimonB not doing the Caterham Academy are you?
Old 18 September 2000, 06:50 AM
  #21  
H
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It is still a scooby with a tow bar.....It is a no go area...what next, ferrari's with roof racks and bike racks.....
Old 18 September 2000, 07:51 AM
  #22  
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H

I'm afraid that I must disagree with you. Doesn't stop me playing
Old 18 September 2000, 12:06 PM
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SimonB
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Not yet!
MGCC-MG Midget, a bit slower than your Caterham.

Cheers, Simon.
Old 18 September 2000, 07:22 PM
  #24  
SimonB
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H
Each to his own.
I need to tow a trailer, why can't I have my cake and eat it!

Cheers, Simon.
Old 18 September 2000, 09:49 PM
  #25  
pslewis
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Have your cake and eat it - I do!!!

Scooby with top-box and Folding camper equals zero street cred but she'll STILL beat most normal cars.

But PLEASE get a detachable one!!!!!! or street cred is on the floor ALL the time!!

Pete
Old 18 September 2000, 10:27 PM
  #26  
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ps

Not with me its not - Cossie beater
Old 18 September 2000, 10:33 PM
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dsmith
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Question

SimonB

What spec is your Midget ?. Is the MGCC Midget series expensive ? I am currently restoring my 1275 Midget - well ok its sat in the garage for two years in which time I've welded two panels. As its never going to be a concours car - how much modification is required for a racer ?

Dean
Old 19 September 2000, 12:05 PM
  #28  
SimonB
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Hi Dean

Not too bad compared to some. Race entries for the year are £1600 ish + travel & accomodation. This gets you 10 meetings and 12 races.
I run in the Northwest Championship (standard Class) these are the circuits we get to.
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