Tow bar fitting in Exeter
Professional tow bar fitting services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
Call for quote
Typical Duration
Half day
Location
Exeter, Devon
Tow bar fitting is specialist work requiring vehicle-specific knowledge, proper tools, and certification. I'd recommend using a dedicated tow bar fitter for this job.
This One Needs A Specialist
Want to be completely honest here: tow bar fitting isn't a general handyman job. It's specialist vehicle work that needs proper training, vehicle-specific knowledge, and the right equipment.
💡 Pro tip: Using a specialist tow bar fitter might cost a bit more, but you get proper certification, correct electrical connection, and peace of mind it's fitted safely.
Why Specialists Matter
Here's why tow bar fitting needs someone who does it every day:
| What's Required | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Vehicle-specific knowledge | Every car has different mounting points |
| Chassis drilling (usually) | Must hit exact reinforced points |
| Electrical coding | Modern cars need ECU programming |
| Weight capacity certification | Legal requirement for insurance |
| Specialist tools | Torque wrenches, coding equipment |
What You Actually Need
🔧 Proper Tow Bar Fitting Includes:
- Vehicle-specific tow bar purchase
- Chassis mounting (drilling if required)
- Electrical wiring and coding
- Bypass relay fitting (if needed)
- Load testing
- Certification documentation
📦 You're Left With:
- Professionally fitted tow bar
- Properly wired electrics
- Legal certification
- Insurance-valid installation
Who To Use Instead
Specialist tow bar fitters:
- Know every vehicle inside out
- Have all the mounting templates
- Can code modern car electrics
- Provide certification
- Cheaper than you'd think (they do volume)
Where to find them:
- Dedicated tow bar specialists in Exeter
- Some larger garages offer the service
- Mobile tow bar fitters cover Devon
- Main dealers (expensive but thorough)
What I CAN Help With
✅ Tow bar accessories - fitting bike racks, tow balls, light boards
✅ Tow bar checks - making sure existing installation's secure
✅ Electrics testing - checking your trailer lights work
✅ Tow ball replacement - if the ball itself needs changing
Why Choose Us for Tow bar fitting in Exeter?
Professionally fitted and wired
Tested and road-legal
Correct tow bar for your vehicle
Electrics properly connected
What to Expect
From A Specialist Fitter
Step 1: Vehicle Assessment
They'll confirm which tow bar fits your vehicle, check chassis condition, and quote the job including electrical work.
Step 2: Professional Installation
Mount the tow bar to reinforced chassis points, wire the electrics properly (including bypass relay if needed), code the ECU if required.
Step 3: Testing & Certification
Load test the installation, check all electrics work correctly, provide certification for your insurance.
🔧 DIY Tips
Honestly? Don't DIY a tow bar installation. Here's why:
Why not to DIY:
- Insurance may not cover DIY installations
- Modern cars need electrical coding
- Drilling chassis in wrong place weakens it
- Incorrect wiring can damage car electrics
- No certification means legal issues if there's an accident
- Specialist fitting isn't expensive enough to risk it
What you CAN do yourself:
- Research which tow bar you want (fixed, detachable, swan neck)
- Check your vehicle's towing capacity
- Get multiple quotes from fitters
- Make sure they're providing certification
⚠️ Seriously - don't DIY this one
Tow bars are safety-critical. If something goes wrong (trailer comes off, electrics fail, mounting breaks), people get hurt and you're liable. The money you save isn't worth the risk.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🚗 I can help AFTER it's fitted - Once you've got a tow bar professionally installed, I can fit bike racks, check the electrics, replace worn tow balls, and sort any accessories you need.
Get quotes - Specialist tow bar fitters in Exeter typically charge £200-400 depending on vehicle and tow bar type. That includes parts, fitting, and certification.
Detachable vs fixed - Detachable tow bars are tidier when not in use but cost more. Fixed ones are cheaper and stronger.
Electrics matter - Modern cars often need bypass relays to avoid damaging the car's electrical system. Specialists know which cars need what.
Insurance - Some insurers want notification when you fit a tow bar. Check your policy.
If you need a recommendation - Give me a call and I can point you toward good tow bar fitters in the Exeter area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you fit any type of tow bar?
Not really - tow bars are very vehicle-specific and need proper knowledge of chassis mounting points, electrical systems, and safety requirements. I'd recommend using a specialist tow bar fitter for this one. They've got the right equipment, know all the mounting points, and can certify the installation.
Why don't you fit tow bars?
Tow bar fitting needs specialist knowledge - every car's different, you're drilling into the chassis, connecting to the car's electrics (sometimes with coding required), and it needs proper certification. Specialist tow bar fitters do this all day, have all the right tools, and know every vehicle inside out.
Can you recommend a tow bar fitter?
Yes - there are good specialist tow bar fitters in Exeter and across Devon. Give me a call and I can point you in the right direction.
What about tow bar accessories - can you fit those?
Yes - cycle racks, light boards, tow balls - anything that attaches to an existing tow bar I can fit. It's the actual tow bar installation itself that needs a specialist.
Can you check my existing tow bar?
I can check the visible bits - make sure the ball's tight, electrics work, nothing's corroded. But for a proper safety check, a tow bar specialist or MOT station is better qualified.
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