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Fitting a tow bar to our BMW 5 series tourer
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- Опубліковано 28 лют 2018
- In this video I share the fitting of a tow bar to our 5 series BMW. Our particular car is an E61 535d tourer so this should help demonstrate what happens when a towbar is fitted to a car.
We had a Westfalia fixed swan neck fitted to the car that can take a nose weight of 90Kg, perfect for our Lunar caravan
A huge thank you to Ace Tow bars, who fitted the Westfalia swan neck tower two our car.
Click here to visit Ace Tow bars Ltd. goo.gl/nPV2LT
Neil fitted my tow bar today! Did a fantastic job and was very happy with it . He gave me all the wiring instructions that came with it , and trust me , I would never have been able to do it in the 3 hours he spent doing it with the fog lights and rear sensors cancelling along with the diagnostics needed . Great job Neil ! Thanks for recommending Dan
Neil is a top bloke. Glad you found his service as good as I found it. 👍
This is the reason I bought a car with the towbar already fitted. I fitted towbars to my 2 previous cars (2002 Citroën Xsara Picasso & 2001 Vauxhall Astra) but the electrics were easy to do. Not so on the newer cars. This is one job I'd farm out unless the electrics are plug-and-play. The towbar on my C4 Grand Picasso is a flange type and accommodates the breakaway cable without any problems.
I bought a removable towbar and electrics kit from PF Jones for my 535d E61 and it was a doddle to install. I went with the 13 pin outlet but have an adapter to split this to the older connectors. It works great and hope to be towing our caravan on its first trip to the north of Scotland in mid July.
Nice work!
I had a similar tow bar on my old car and faced the same issue with the breakaway cable. I mentioned it at the towing course I went on and the trainers recommendation was a steel shackle from a chandlers. You can get them with a suitable load rating and it then offers a loop large enough to fit the breakaway cable through easily. As it hangs straight down from the tow bar it is perfectly aligned.
Same solution as i used a correctly rated stainless steel D shackle. :)
I know this post is 4 years old but what load rating did you go for with your steel shackle? As I have just had a new tow bar fitted. Many thanks Michael
@@michaelgray1351 I went for a D shackle in 316L grade stainless steel. The working load is 1000 kg and the break load is 3600 kg. I worked on the basis that normally it would have zero load as the hitch takes the load and if my van does break free it would have to be going very fast to hit 3600 kg.
@@adengunston1982 that's great thanks very much for your help. Now to try and find one 👍
A bolt on eyelet should do the job for the breakaway cable, thanks for the video, found it interesting.
Hi Dan
Great video thank you. I look forward to anymore information you find out re fixing the breakaway cable to a detachable tow bar without a connecting ring welded to it.
Excellent video Dan - we have to use the breakaway cable around the neck of the towbar - there just isnt a hole to loop at all!!
Regards,
Michael
Fantastic video Dan, just goes to show it's sometimes better to let the experts do the job.
Awesome insight into tow bar fitting. Couldn't agree more Modern cars are a nightmare I would never tackle this. Thanks for sharing Dan.
Excellent and informative video as usual Dan.
New to caravanning only last April - I had a tow bar (Tow Trust detachable) fitted to my Mk4 Rav 4AWD by mobile fitter - excellent job he made and even for a competent DIY'er definitely a job for the experts. Only small cut in bumper and no limping through the holidays due to broken shins.
I Think break away cables almost deserve a video of their own. I recently changed my flimsy original flip type for a carabiner ( saw off old one and easy fit new type) which now clips through the ring mounted at side of towball. Until now I was (Unknowingly incorrectly! - clipping the old breakaway to this eyelet - I knew I shouldn't loop it around the detachable ball but settled on clip. Fortunately nothing untoward happened.
Great stuff again Dan !
First towing experience disaster?... letting the power cable drag on the road and arriving at site with shredded cable and no lights... - Howard
Great Video again Dan looking forward to the follow on video as I’ve Just had a new towbar fitted and would like to know how to prepare the ball for towing thanks and keep up the brilliant work
Hi dan, i had the same problem, what i did is got a D shackle on there mate.
Hi Dan. Interesting video. I have always found it a bit scary when the fitter starts ripping the car to bits. Disappointing about the hole for the breakaway cable. We have a Westfalia detachable towbar on our Kia and that has a good fixing point so I am surprised that Westfalia don’t use a similar system on all their bars. Think I would try to fit a split ring into the hole and attach to that.
Morning Steve,
I trust you are both warm & well.
Yes - the bodywork strip & cutting is the thing I couldn't do. the breakaway cable is somthing i will be revisiting, im checking the legality of the idea of an extra clip. I will report back soon
Dan
Had an old landrover, with the same issue with breakaway cable, in the end made a wire loop placed around the frame and then I could clip the breakaway cable to.
Thats the sort of idea i am having, but just waiting for clarification on legality and if there are any guidelines that I can pass on etc.
Dan
Brilliant. This is just the video we needed. We are looking at getting a tow bar fitted to our car for our new caravan. So this has really helped. Cheers Dan 👍
Excellent stuff, glad it helped.
@@TheTrudgians Maybe I missed it sorry, but what was the price of this installation?
You couldtry a Heavy Duty Steel Carabiner hooked into the hole for the breakaway cable to clip onto
Hi Dan good video all round I think it better to have a tow bar fitted by a proper tow bar expert these days as it quicker and knowing u got piece of mind it Don right and it safe when I put my break away cable round bar I put a plastic tie round the cable and threw the clip ring and tighten it that way the cable won't slip off if caravan hitch was to come away I don't tighten tie to tight just enough so I can pull cable apart to get over tow ball to get it off as I don't have any holes on my tow bar frame all the best .kev
For peace of mind and doing it safe are exactly the reasons why I DiY; I am not working to time and cost pressures. No doubt the guy in the video is good, but there are cowboys out there. I have worked in a car main dealer's workshop and seen the other side of the picture.
Hi I like your videos. It’s very useful. Can you please tell me how much the garage charge for fit the tow bar ?
Hi Dan, two comments. One, if you would like me to weld a steel loop to a bolt for you, you could then connect your breakaway cable to the loop which would be bolted into that hole. Just let me know the size of that hole and how long a bolt would be needed. A nylock nut would ensure it stays there. Second comment, not all professionals are good at the electrics. To save time I let the dealer book someone to install my Merc Vito tow bar. He used 1.5mm CSA live feed from a fuse holder (when the voltage sensitive relay instructions specified 2.5mm) and connected 4x 2.5mm ground wires to a 1.5mm wire and ran that to the chassis. The fuse box tap failed the second time we were out with the caravan. I have since reworked the installation using 2.5mm wire from the fuse box, fixed the botched connection to the fuse holder and replaced the one 1.5mm ground with 4x 2.5mm grounds!
I trust you are an expert welder and will do an ultrasonic test on the weld afterwards. Alternatively, one could just buy a shouldered eyebolt like these :- www.gsproducts.co.uk/bzp-steel-din580-eyebolts-lifting/
You are right about the variability of professionals though.
Can you not simply attach the carabiner on the break away cable to a larger carabiner, then feed that one through the hole on the towbar? Or just replace the small carabiner for a larger one?
Hi Andy,
As im sure you are aware UK laws are a bit grey here - so Im checking with the various agencies before I let folks know the "best practice" method and type of shackle to use.
Thanks
3:45 an _oiled_ hacksaw? I did not know that hacksaws could/should be oiled!
Hey Dan, thanks for this video. Would you think this type of job is fairly straight-forward to do? I've been quoted a lot of money for the local garage to do.
could you loop the break away cable round the swan neck but tie itself in a loop that is small enough not to come off the towbar ball.
Hey Dan, you may be able to buy a longer breakaway cable, they come in 3 lengths IICR.
All the best fella
Cheers Dave, im following up this video soon - look out for that !
Dan
Excellent as usual. Thank you 😊
I was told it be ok to wrap the brake away cable round the tow ball mine a fix one
Hi alan,
That is "acceptable" if there is no anchoring point provided. Its not perfect, if the trailer/ caravan un hitches, in all likelihood the breakaway cable will simply pull off in the snatching motion of the detachment
Its the only way we can attach our breakaway cable on the X5, so you are not alone.
On some cars do you not need to put the rear reinforcement bar? Looks like if I put on a tow bar it doesn't go back on VW?
Thanks Dan, very interesting as I am having a retractable tow bar fitted to my car in a few weeks. Hoping to buy my first caravan in the very near future.
One question I have is why does the fitting centre not finish the tow bar off for you?
In my view the bar should be ready to go and not need any further work.. especially when paying hundreds of pounds (£575 in my case)
Nice new car Dan! I love BMW tourers :)
Ha, no this isn't a new car, ive had this one for many many years.
Dan
HI Dan
as always a good caravaning video on something about caravaning that the novice caravaners probably wouldn't think about!
if I can have my 2 pence worth I hear what you are saying about having a towbar professional fitted I myself have been caravaning for a number of years now and have bought and fitted all my tow bars myself including fitting the electrics.
I must admit I have a good understanding of vehicles and like to tinker with them, my current vehicle a Kia Sportage to have a towbar fitted with vehicle Dedicated Wiring Kit it would have cost me over £900, i could not believe the cost when I priced all the items at PF Jones it cost me £380 saving £450. I am no way saying that everyone should try and fit there own towbar unlesss that are confident to do so but if you are showing a towbar professional fitted perhaps a video on how to fit one yourself mite interest other caravaners?
A brilliant and informative video. I must admit, I wouldn’t even think of attempting to fit a tow bar with potentially so much at stake. Is it worth contacting the makers of the towbar to get their advice on how a brake away cable is meant to be attached. Is this ‘hole’ designed for a foreign market where they perhaps have a totally different breakaway cable method.
Morning Keith,
Im not 100% sure on the rationale of the hole for the breakaway cable, it seems to be a really grey area on the part of the manufacturers of these bars. I am looking at a couple of options, their legality and any guidance I can pass on to fellow caravaners.
Thanks again - i trust you are all well.
Dan
Hi, isn't the hole your trying to connect the cable to for a shackle holding a chain?
Here in Aus you have to have a single chain or double chains depending on the weight of your trailer. Depending on your car and the weight it can tow the bars seem to come with one or two points welded on them.
I don't see why a properly weighted shackle couldn't be attached for the wire to clip to.
Hi Matthew, as im sure you will know the UK and the various agencies cannot agree what is correct / incorrect. im looking at adding shackle, but before i jump up and down and announce this is how to do it, im checking with the various agencies on the legality of it and if there are any type approvals, recommendations or guidelines that we should follow, and I will be able to share that in a concise manner.
Thanks for popping by, i hope the weather is better than here in UK - 5cm of snow, and the country falls to bits !
Dan
I agree Dan, it's worth every single penny to get it done by an expert. Is the breakaway cable problem because there is too much metal either side of the hole?
Hi, the breakaway cable clip simply won't fit through the hole, more can it attach onto the network. its simply not designed to take a BW cable.
I will follow up on this video though.
Dan
Very interesting. Did you say you have to prepare the ball before you tow, we have just had a hitch fitted, keep us posted
Thanks Dan
Lee (TOP HAT) 😉
Hi Lee,
Thanks for the comment - yes I will be following up on things to do when you have a new tow bar. that includes removing the paint / powder coat from the ball.
Will follow up soon.
Dan
Hi Dan another great video. You went for a fixed tow bar what are your thoughts on a detachable one as I am getting a new tow bar fitted but have to go for a swan neck due to the model of my car. Thanks
Hi Dan! Did the Expert have to wire the lume all the way to the fusebox in the front, or is this optional?
Great video 🤩
Good informative video as usual, is it possible to fit a shackle through the hole on the tow bar and connect the break away cable to that?
HI Howie, Im looking into this, but checking the legality and any recommendations that come with it.
Dan
Can I ask how much it cost to get fitted?
Hi I see you had a BMW x5 before the 5 series how do you find the 5 series touring against the x5 for towing we have a 530d touring at the moment and am picking up a bailing 510 next week
Nice video Dan always fit my own towbars.like to give them two coats of hammerite before they are fitted as for wiring larger cables for ATC and fridge if you want them to work properly.
D shackle for breakaway?
Morning Greg, just checking the legality and type approvals of D shackles, and getting any recommendations / guidelines on such a thing. As ever, its a grey area with the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing...
Dan
The Trudgians used to use a long shank pad lock for breakaway never thought anything about it
Dan can you put a D link through that hole for your breakaway cable to connect to?
Morning Andrew - thats the sort of thing i was thinking of, just checking what the legal stance is on that and if there are any guidelines and recommendations I can pass on to those who are suffering the same issue.
Dan
An expensive Westfalia tow bar that cannot have the breakaway cabl fitted, must surely rank as a design fault ?
Hi Mike,
Sadly this tow bar is not alone. I have filmed many many tow bar configurations from a wide selection of manufacturers, and they are all pretty much the same. The breakaway cable attachment is an afterthought, not really considered by the tow bar manufacturers.
Dan
What brand of towbar electrics is that for a bmw e61 touring is it specific for the air suspension and PDC sensors or can any Can Bus Rely be used
Hi I’m ace towbars daughter and yes it is specific for air suspensions and PDC sensors
how much will it cost all, thanks
Hi Dan great vid as always, just a question for you, why don't you still the hole slightly bigger to fit the break away cable on??
Hi Kieran,
I will be following up this video with a solution too the breakaway cable issue. - Keep an eye open for that.
Dan
The Trudgians , hi Dan I always follow your blogs and it's been very useful information, I have had my caravan for 3 years and have come across this problem with the brake away cable, sometimes it's a design fault! Also I did read with one of the comments that a shackle can be used aswell. Can't wait for you to do a video on the difference between the x5 and the 5 series?? All the best Dan!!
You could have washed it beforehand Dan, you mucky tart! x
Seriously though, it shows sometimes worth paying the professionals, especially when integrating in to vehicles own wiring systems. I did mine on the A4, which was nothing like as complex as this, and it took me a couple of weekends squished up in the boot of the car.
Hey what can I say - its a working car - plus i'd driven back from Halifax the day before..
The electrics are hilarious and this OEM kit didn't even offer a Fridge circuit. Neil had to add that in himself, its a joke really.
D
Hi Dan, just curious, why have you replaced the X5 with a 5 series?
Hi Dan, great video. I got a mobile fitter to fit my tow bar to my last car while I was at work. Cracking job the bloke did. When I changed my car I got a factory fitted tow bar. Ford do one where it releases and swings down and under the car when not in use. It's great. Question, my last car "beeped" when I indicated with the caravan hitched up. This new car with the super duper hide away tow bar does not "beep" when I indicate with the caravan hitched up. Do you know in the "beeper" is an old school thing or something?
Its best to discuss the beep with your fitter, my car does not beep, but a friend of mine has one that does beed when the indicators are on.
I might be a historical requirement ?
Sorry I cannot help more.
Dan
Super duper update,
I went down to the storage yard the other day, connected the car and removed some bulbs from the caravan.
Removing the caravan break / driving light bulb had no effect.
Removing the caravan reversing light bulb also had no effect.
BUT removing the caravan indicator bulb flashed a message up on the car dashboard saying "trailer indicator bulb fault", how awesome is that. The indicator also flashes twice as fast, as you'd expect.
Hope you find this helpful.
Steve
The beep is a new school thing. It is a UK legal requirement that you have an indication that the caravan indicator lights are working. It can be a beep or a light and must show they are *working*, not just that voltage has been sent to them - they could have blown, so the current or the illumination needs to be detected. Go back to your fitter.
PS, just noticed your further message. So you have an indication of bulb failure, after all :-) I guess that satisfies the legal requirement.
@SteveQ - Further thought on your indicator fail warning system, how could you convince police in one of their roadside spot checks on trailers that you had such a warning? Can't imagine they'd have the patience to wait for you to remove a bulb.
I can only assume its part of the new Ford Sync 2/3 system as it also disables the reversing sensors and shows a trailer image on the screen when reversing with the caravan attached. It's pretty cool that all this stuff comes direct from Ford with their factory filled "retractable trailer coupling". Almost makes it worth the £600................. almost.
Also, i believe the words of the law here in the UK are along the lines of "you must have an audible or visual warning if the indicators are NOT working"
indicators don't need wiring as beamer drivers don't use them. haha.
I had 3 mercs before and I always used indicators now I bought BMW 5 F10 and stopped using indicators.. some sort or sorcery this is :(
So not true!
I must ask, why did you need to replace the first tow bar ?
Morning, no - we didn't replace the tow bar, but we had one previously fitted to our other car. This is a brand new tow bar on a car thats not had one fitted before.
Dan
Does this mean you are no longer towing with the X5?
Hi Ian, not for the moment - we needed to get the car fitted with a tow bar for some future projects ;-)
Have you got any experience with detachable towbars are they any good for caravans?
Hi Syn,
Yes indeed. We have a detachable tow bar on our BMW X5. its brilliant. i highly recommend it. IF you are keen on not seeing the tow bar, or if it interferes with your rear reversing sensors - a detachable is the way to go.
Thank you it's because it goes rusty while not in use that's why I thought of getting detachable towbar. Have a nice day
Dan 0:40 you're boring the cat! Anyone with mechanical aptitude can fit a tow bar, in that regard they are much easier than years ago. But you're dead right on the electrics! Cables with colours they shouldn't have, relays, making it talk to the computer, no forget if and leave it to those who know. Our local garage traced a fault on the wife's car to one of the cables under the drivers seat. There were about 24 of them - all the same colour! Out comes the book to identify the number on the cable, which the you and I's don't have!
Hi Dan,
just thinking , my tow bar cost around £250 a few years ago. Is there a big difference in price depending on what car you have?
Hi Mark,
Im not sure tbh. I know that OEM electrics are expensive, hence the increased price. The tow bar and bracket itself is not the expensive part.
I did go to our local BMW dealership when we had the X5 awaiting for a tow bar, they wanted £2,000 + to fit a tow bar. how stupid is that !!
Dan
Why can't all car makers provide a single electric socket near the back for an extension towing loom to plug into, so we don't have to rip out half the car's interior trim etc?
Wiring a 13 core socket is not easy. Better to do it sitting at a workbench under good light earlier in the job than doing it on your knees after the cable is already on the car. Even if your caravan has the two 7-pin plugs, best to fit the car with a modern 13 pin socket and use a Y shaped cable adaptor.
Removing the rear bumper did not look "easy" to me. It never is.
For the breakaway cable, use a shackle. My Witter tow hook does not have the problem - has anyone in the Westphalia design office ever actually tried towing a caravan I wonder? As for it being a legal "grey area", the requirement is for a breakaway cable that works and an industrial grade shackle will do exactly that - far stronger than the cable.
I would aways have a detachable towbar - fed up with bashing my shins on my previous fixed one
How much did it cost?
This one cost me £600 - the most expensive part of this was the control box that fits into the car etc. Other car makes, would be alot cheaper.
hi dan hope your well great video if i was you i'd get a rated shackle to go though the "break away" hole then put the bw cable on the shackle. i would recommend getting a stainless steel one (as it wont rust) i don't know if you have any boat chandlers near you but i have 4/5 near me and would be happy to post one to you heres a link to one www.force4.co.uk/force-4-10mm-s-s-dee-shackle-1pk.html (Break Load 4100kg) hope it helps
Morning, thank you thats very kind.
I'll be following up with a new video soon, showing the best way forward for others who are suffering this very same issue.
Your offer is very kind, i'll be in touch
Dan