From what I have read that is not a bad price. However, beware - many modern cars have specialised wiring harnesses. There are systems which can bypass these, in order that the electrics can be fitted without cutting into the cables, which could 1) invalidate warranty and/or 2) not allow any vehicle built-in systems to function as they should when a trailer is coupled, eg ESP, traction control etc. By far the best way is a dedicated supplementary loom, even where the vehicle is 'towbar prepped' from the factory. In which case, the estimated price you were given would seem somewhat low. Our daughter runs a Quashqai and once suggested she could maybe borrow our caravan to 'go on holiday Dad!' We got her to get a quote and she was told about £550. As neither she or her husband had ever towed, the general consensus was 'not a good idea' LOL.
Our previous Saab was purchased from a Saab dealership. I ordered a Saab tow bar for supply and fit, and this was discounted as part of the deal and still came at £399. The current Saab had a towbar on it but only a 12N socket and a Ryder bypass system. (previous owner only towed a small trailer) I then purchased a dedicated kit from P F Jones for £131, fitted it, and had the car checked for programming, which was found not to be needed; the Rear Electrical Centre already in the car together with the kit (including a module) I fitted had done the trick. Some cars though, do need to be programmed by a dealer, to ensure all the car's systems will operate correctly.
HTH
Pete
£400 seems reasonable to me. Insist on canbus electrics so that the cars cpu knows that you have a caravan attached. I note that you are in Cheshire. North West Towbars in Stockport are a good company to deal with. They have fitted my last three tow bars. No problems with any of them.
Thanks guys, I was reading old posts that were quoting around £250 so I thought I was being taken for a ride as it were. But £400 seems to be a good rate so I think I'll go ahead. Actually I just got another quote for £365 from Mid Cheshire Towbars from a guy who gets good reviews on here so I might go for that one... if the electrics are vehicle specific of course...
Not sure if you have an Indespension Trailer and Towbar company near you.(I think they are all over the UK).
I have had 4 towbars fitted by them over the years.
I needed a towbar fitted quickly 2-3 weeks ago and they quoted £280 with single electrics but it would be a week before I could get an appointment.
I ended up at another company who could do it within two days, same make of towbar and single electrics and it cost me £380.
Definitely pays to shop around.
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
I had a quote today for our Passat Estate at £300 inc vat. This was for a tow bar with two sockets. I was told there could be hidden extras in the form of caravan number plate if required, and also a £30 fee dependent if there was a stabiliser involved. We are nowhere even near buying a caravan, just arranging figures in my head but am offering it up for comparison.
Hi Bumble, I've just had a detatchable towbar fitted on my 2010 Qashqai+2 dci automatic complete with a single 13pin socket for my 2012 Lunar Lexon 420. I had it fitted at Indespension.com in Norwich, and I think they are a Nationwide chain? The total cost was £480 which was about what I was quoted at a couple of other places. Fitting took about half a day, and includes a free "tightness" check at 500 towing miles and free annual checks for the life of the towbar. Expensive maybe, but I thought it worth it to have it fitted by experts. Its been on a couple of months now, and has been fine. It was a very neat job, bearing in mind they have to remove the whole rear bumper assy and run wiring to the front of the car for the beeper. Not something I would like to tackle myself! I didn't have any issues with reversing sensors, as my model is fitted with a rear camera, which is great for lining up the towball. I hope this info helps? PS The Qashqai tows my van easily, so I wish you well with yours.
I ended up with a fixed Witter towbar, 13 pin Euro connector (my choice) + adaptor for 12N/S, vehicle specific wiring (my choice again) all for £380 by Mid Cheshire Towbars. Fitted in about 3.5 hours on my drive. Nice neat job and it looks the business.
Speedway: I had to choose a really light van as I have the petrol version which apparently isn't the best tower. I will change to a diesel at the next opportunity though just so I'm not restricted on caravan weight so much. Looking forward to my first adventure (no idea how to do anything caravan related yet) two nights in Henley in a few weeks while we take the nipper to Legoland.
Hi Bumble, good that you went for the Single 13pin Euro Socket version, I really don't understand why folk still go for the Twin 7 Pin option, I have even seen some 2013 plate cars fitted with Twin Sockets, which I just find bizarre.
As you have mentioned an adapter soon sorts things out for Twin Plug vans, and even to convert a Twin Plug van to Single 13pin Plug is an easy DIY job.
As for the price of your towbar, last year my colleague paid £350 for a VW Golf 12 plate to be fitted, so guess your deal was fair.
Hi Bumble, I'm glad you got the towbar sorted. You mentioned you had to go for a lightweight van, well even the diesel Qashqai has a max limit of 1350 kilos on the automatic version, which is why we went for the Lunar Lexon 420. Its only 1056 kilos unladen, but for a small two berth (13ft 9") its really luxurious with an excellent end washroom with a huge walk in shower. It tows well behind our Qashqai, and we will be off to the Cotswolds in September for a break.
Hi This firm came to my house and fitted a Witter Towbar and twin Sockets to my 2012 Seat Altea XL £250
MTS Mobile Towbar Fitting Service (Sheffield) Give them a ring on 01142486325
Might to far from your house
REGARDS
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Topic: Nissan Quashqai towbar cost
