AutoCraft Eng TowBar

[Steve B]

Looking at buying one of these, simply because they offer the option still to mount a bolt-on cycle carrier bracket. I have a modified Watling one (clears a 4-1 merged header) but will be changing exhaust too so thought I'd tidy the rear up.

Question is, I read on here that this new towbar means the bumper sits more proud. Is the case? Anyone on here got one?

Many thanks.

 

[Gadget Boy]

TBH I cant comment on Autocrafts towbar .......

BUT I know mine don't alter the postion of the rear bumper at all, Mine also use all the stock location points and are Exact 100% copies of the Westfalia originals , BUT they are NOT stressed /abused/ damaged like the westfalia originals as there Brand new , made 100% in the UK.......

Quality British craftsmanship

http://forum.earlybay.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=65262" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks

Gadget

 

[Steve B]

TBH I cant comment on Autocrafts towbar .......

BUT I know mine don't alter the postion of the rear bumper at all, Mine also use all the stock location points and are Exact 100% copies of the Westfalia originals , BUT they are NOT stressed /abused/ damaged like the westfalia originals as there Brand new , made 100% in the UK.......

Quality British craftsmanship

http://forum.earlybay.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=65262" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks

Gadget

Yours would be my first weapon of choice Gadget, but I need one with a bolt-on towbar, so I can fix my cycle rack plate to it, and also lash my two dogs to the plate too. Yours being a straight-through fixed swan-neck type means I can't do it on yours.

I think the AutoCraft one is therefore the next best thing, and looks better than a Watling. Also, AutoCraft produce some decent quality stuff, so should imagine this will be too.

I just can't find any threads on here about it - I'm sure someone said their bumper sat a little proud after it was fitted.

Cheers.

 

[68_early_bay]

I would have loved one of gadgets towbars too, but exhaust gets in the way :?


So, I went the autocraft route, really well made bar, but does mean the bumper sits back about 20-25mm further back than normal here's a post from my thread :mrgreen:

Finished the to today 8) first thing I noticed that some of the bolts supplied with the kit were too short, a quick call to autocraft and they saw the problem and sent me out the correct ones the following day 8)

Now it's all bolted up one thing I have noticed is that the bumper now sits about 25mm further back than it used to, I can't blame the vs zorst for this as even if it wasn't fitted I wouldn't be able to move it back on the adjustment as the bracket is already nearly touching the removable valance , one thing for sure is that you would be very unlucky to bend it :lol: I've seen tow bars on 4x4's made out of thinner plate :lol:

I have also done the electrics, here's a few pics for you Paul on how I did it :mrgreen:

I used piggy back spades so that I didn't have to cut into my vans electrics 8)

And a dia off Google for the socket

8)

 

[dazza1975]

Yep they do indeed sit further away but like you say, you can bolt on your cycle rack so small compromise and you get what you want.

If I could have afforded a gadget tow bar I would have gone that route but the autocraft bars are well made and fit a treat!

 

[aspro]

Both tow bars are quality kit, but at the end of the day a towbar looks like **** on any vehicle. Saying that, I do like the fact that autocraft have now released a bar with detacheable tow ball and hidden electrics. Bit pricey at 360 pounds.

 

[StuF]

Both tow bars are quality kit, but at the end of the day a towbar looks like **** on any vehicle. Saying that, I do like the fact that autocraft have now released a bar with detacheable tow ball and hidden electrics. Bit pricey at 360 pounds.

My Gadget towbar looks the ****! And definitely not ****!
Except when I smash my shin into the swan neck, then its ****! :lol:

 

[Steve B]

Both tow bars are quality kit, but at the end of the day a towbar looks like **** on any vehicle. Saying that, I do like the fact that autocraft have now released a bar with detacheable tow ball and hidden electrics. Bit pricey at 360 pounds.

Looking at the AutoCraft one, you buy the bar, and the ends are interchangeable, so you can upgrade to detachable in the future for a small bit extra.

I just don't know if I like that 'gap' it creates.

Still, it looks better than my current one!

 

[Steve B]

Yep they do indeed sit further away but like you say, you can bolt on your cycle rack so small compromise and you get what you want.

If I could have afforded a gadget tow bar I would have gone that route but the autocraft bars are well made and fit a treat!

You couldn't do me an exact measure of the gap at some point could you? Just so I can compare to my current gap?

Would be much appreciated.

 

[dazza1975]

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[dazza1975]

Will that do you bud?

 

[Steve B]

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

That's ace. Thanks very much! Looking around 58mm then. I'll check mine at the weekend.

Cheers.

 

[issit]

My Gadget towbar looks the ****! And definitely not ****!
Except when I smash my shin into the swan neck, then its ****! :lol:[/quote]

How many times have I done that :lol: :lol: