Altea Towbars

[Andrews]

Has anyone got a towbar fitted?

I need one and can't decide whether to have a go myself, or get the dealer to do it. My local Seat dealer has quoted £497 fitted, apparantly due to the high costs of the electrics. This is for a detachable swan neck as that's all Seat offer. I really need a flange type to accommodate my cycle rack

What have you done? Any tips or advice would be welcomed!

Thanks
Andy

 

[pdh 14a]

I'm no expert,but a few mates in work have had Good quality tow bars fitted for half that!
I'd ring round some local specialists

 

[TDI_luver]

Witter do a strong (if slightly Land-Rover style) flange towbar for the Altea / Toledo. £497 fitted sounds incredible....even including the electronic splitters etc a Witter 'bar fully fitted shouldnt set you back more than about £250 in the UK.

 

[markirel]

I had one fitted a couple of years back and I'm sure that it was less than £200. Its the fixed type rather than removable but it does the job and the installation was good. Thought about buying and fitting one myself but decided to let the experts cut the gap into the lower part of bumper rather than risk making a mistake myself + I wasn't sure about the electrics. I have a cycle carrier that fits onto the ball which is quite good. It also puts the bikes clear of the lights and number plate so I don't bother with a lighting board.

 

[Mike5]

I fitted a Witter bar to my TDI a few years ago. Nit a difficult job but taking the boot interior and bumper off needs strong nerves. You have to pull out some snop connectors. Be carefull you pull them out square so you don't break anything. The bumper cut is not too difficult although I found the template was a little tight and needed a bit more material removed. They may have revised it since. The bar bolts on easy. Suggest a good couple of coats of Hammerite first.

The electrics require a special relay to cope with the single tail/brake light bulb. A good car electric co can supply. All othr connections via Scotch locks.

 

[robint]

Got one off ebay (used) with single electrics for 99p!! Fitted it myself and as said above need to get brave removing the bumper but actually quite easy in the end. Needed to remove beam behind bumper (easy) but do need a decent tool kit to get at all the various bolts and screws.

Electrics are easy apart from the tail light issue - 3 wires incl earth go to tail, stop and indicator...... so took the tail light from the number plate light feed. Also needed a permanent live for the feed to the electrics box so just ran a cig lighter cable to the rear socket and plug it in when trailer attached (which isn't often) - no real problem to run a cable but it was very easy that way.

Cutting bumper not too much of a problem as its the inner bumper, but having another person makes it a lot easier. Oh and choose a nice day or use a big garage!!

Agree that about £200-250 should get you a fixed bar fitted with twin electrics with a quick ring round.

 

[Andrews]

Thanks for the responses.

I am taking my Altea in for a fixed type towbar from my local Leisure/Capming specialist tomorrow, £244 fitted. I was little nervous about the bumper cut bit so decided to let someone else do it!

I need the fixed flange type because I want to use my Thule Cycle carrier, which fits to a plate located on the towbar. Why Seat only do a detachable, I don't know.

I have to say its actually the best cycle carrier I've had. It snaps into place in minutes and is locakable. Fitting the bikes (upto 4) is great, with no need for straps, ties etc. as it uses the rubber fastners on tyhe rack. Simple.

Thanks again.

 

[chrisash32]

Has anyone got any pics of the towbar not fitted to the car?
As in what it looks like (the bars that screw to the chassis etc etc)

As i have a towbar in my shed that came off another car in the VAG group...
The company that fitted it originally said i would be surprised if i knew just how many other VAG cars that would fit....

So without me having to take the bumper off mine and scratch my head for a while i just wanted something to compare with!

Cheers

Chris

 

[chesterfield]

Hi, first post. I found the site through google when looking for answers on whether I can get a towbar for my altea.

I have the TDI FR Altea and would like to know if a towbar can be fitted.

Can anyone advise if it is possible? Im looking to tow a car trailer with my track toy on.

May it be a bit weighty?

When I purchased the FR I didnt envisage towing anything that heavy.

 

[chesterfield]

Just checked the VIN and the FR is type approved for towing, but only 1400kg. With the combined weight of the track toy and trailer probably coming to 1700-1900kg, I think Ive hit a larger stumbling block than the towbar.

 

[Td1man]

I have just been quoted £380 for a removable or £220 for a fixed fitted including single electrics at the towbar centre stockport

 

[seremotors]

be wary with the electrics. these cars need a module, you cant just go hacking into the loom or you are asking for all sorts of problems. indispension quoted around £180 + vat for bar and module, fitted

 

[Tabintab]

Bosal make a large number of tow bars for car manufacturers including Seat. So if u are looking for a bar that is identical to what manufacturers use, then look for Bosal, thats what i fitted to my 2.0 tdi sport. Also needed a special relay box that required 12v from the battery, took about 6 wires in & another 6 out approx, so you end up with a lot of wireing. Put mine behind the trim on the left hand side of the boot, was plenty of space in t here.

Tab

 

[Honestjoe]

Fr Towbar

Hi Chesterfield,
Did you manage to get a towbar for your Altea Fr, as i have just bought one and need a towbar myself. Any help would appreciated.

 

[leltel]

Hi everyone, I am new to the site and to owning a Seat. I have an 07 Seat Altea XL and live in Hampshire. I had roof bars fitted to accomodate my husbands cylce, but he feels that getting a towbar fitted and a cycle rack for that would be a better option (for him not me!). My question to you all is can you give me any advise on where to start looking, Seat dealer wants just short of £500.00 to supply and fit the towbar...so before dismissing the idea completley, I need some direction as to where to start looking for towbar supply and fit and the cycle carrier thing specific to the XL. My other question is, would it then effect the rear parking sensors? Thanks, Lel

 

[FR+TDI]

Just taken the tow bar off my Altea & its up for grabs. Piece of cake to fit/remove, plus got the (single) electrics & module.

 

[will105]

hi give me a price and details of towbar , maybe we could agree a price , my mobile is 07718530639

 

[FR+TDI]

hi give me a price and details of towbar , maybe we could agree a price , my mobile is 07718530639

To buy the same one from the same place would cost £120 with postage, make me an offer. The make is Tow Trust.

 

[will105]

hi is that the flanged one , not really what i was after but at the right money might be interested , bearing in mind could cost the guts of £20 to post to me , give me a ball park figure and we will start the ball rolling

 

[FR+TDI]

Yep, it is the flanged one. The bar itself has two plates which come through the underneath of the bumper, the flange then bolts to this on a curved bar. The flange can be unbolted leaving just the two plates. £80 inc postage would be about right for me.