New Tow Bar

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K4thyL

K4thyL

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 18, 2011
Messages
48
Hi,

Im going to see a 04 Terrano 3.0 tomorrow which doesnt currently have a tow bar. The dealer has agreed to get one put on in the price and has asked me what type I want?

Being that I will use it to pull a double horse trailer, just wondered if there was type that would be most suitable? I seem to have found out by surfing that I would need a fixed flange tow bar? Would I be correct in advisng the dealer of this but is there a make I should go for?

Cheers

Kathy
 
fixed would be best thats the way i would go at least you know nothing can come loose,rob:thumb2
 
Having had a nice lady hit our caravan up the rear, and in the processes demolish the towbar, that was on our T2 when we got it. I went for a Witter fixed flange one as a replacement, as it looked to be made so much better and stronger. You have to go onto the Witter site to see actual pictures as most companies that sell towbars use a generic picture that often does not look anything like the one you will receive.

It does lower your rear ground clearance, so will have an impact if you are a serious off roader, but for me, the benefits of strength and safety far outweighed the potential issues.

this was the original towbar before impact
t2numberplate3_zps388346ed.jpg


and after
20130824_174856_zpsef838fed.jpg


This is the Witter one. (not very clear, but you get the idea)
20140120_132052_zps56fc39b0.jpg
 
Yeh definitely go for fixed and a flange one if you can as much more flexible than a swan neck. Also, if you need to replace the towball for any reason then bolt on ones are generally cheaper than swan necks to replace.
 
Cool. Thanks for replies so far. Being that I'm having to go by myself I just wanted to check other than giving it a good look over from a synthetic point of view and when I drive it, listen out for any odd noises, is there anything else I should check. I can look under the bonnet but it won't mean much apart from seeing how tidy/clean the engine looks??!
 
The two bolt tow ball type are more popular, and there are more attachments for those, stabilisers, dropper plates, bike racks etc.
The alternative is the four bolt fixing type, they use different size bolts to the two bolt type and tow balls cannot be interchanged between the different types.

You also have to consider the electrics.
The simplest for trailers is a 7 pin type "n" socket, that just covers the basic lights and indicators.

If you later want to tow a caravan, or have electric in the trailer or a second battery in the trailer, then you will also need the supplementary type "s" socket.

The latest trend is now the 13 pin does everything socket.
Most of us on the forum have the 7 pin "n" socket, some of have the type "s" as well, and not so many with the later 13 pin socket, if that helps...

For what you need, the "n" socket will be adequate, but if you are planning ahead, and if someone else is paying... then say you may be towing a caravan in the future and have the " s" type fitted too.

I hope it helps.

best regards,

Rustic
 
K4thyL said:
Cool. Thanks for replies so far. Being that I'm having to go by myself I just wanted to check other than giving it a good look over from a synthetic point of view and when I drive it, listen out for any odd noises, is there anything else I should check. I can look under the bonnet but it won't mean much apart from seeing how tidy/clean the engine looks??!
Click to expand...

I don't know if you've read much about rust on these trucks, but you could do with someone with some knowledge to take a look.

Corrosion can be bad, but not limited to, the following areas:-
rear wheel arches, where the rear seat belt mounts.
Sills both sides, near to the rear.
Front wings, look at the edges near the wheel arch trim first.
Rear floor, under carpet of rear seat.
Rear chassis near to rear suspension mounts.
Front cross beam behind rear bumper, but difficult to see.

Also look out for oil leaks, there shouldn't be anything to speak of, you are not buying a Land Rover :lol
Also for the diesel tank seams can rust.

If you advise the rough area where the garage is, a local member might volunteer to pop along, if only to help drive the price down.

best regards,

Rustic
 
When I fitted my towbar I bought a new Brink from an eBay site - immensely strong and easy to fit. Found out afterwards that the genuine Nissan item is made by Brink.
It's a four bolt mount for the ball which limits availability if a replacement is needed, but I can't see that happening. When I took the car for an MOT shortly after fitting it, the tester said "What are you planning to tow, the QE2?"
 
Nice looking truck.

For what it's worth I wouldn't have a 13ping tow socket because it's part of the MOT where as the older type is not.

Check the drivers seat for wear, especially the outer edge.

Check foot wells especially front passenger side for damp, also just inside the boot too. Known leak spots but not difficult to fix.

As said Rust, check the panel below the doors especially towards the rear wheels. Any bubbles it's likely there will be rust.

Inside the rear wheel arches you'll see a nut with a bolt coming through from inside. This is the rear seatbelt mounting. They tend to go there too.

If you have any concerns take photo's and post on here.
 
Cool ok, thanks everyone. Will get this printed out for my guide :)
 
Terranical said:
When I fitted my towbar I bought a new Brink from an eBay site - immensely strong and easy to fit. Found out afterwards that the genuine Nissan item is made by Brink.
It's a four bolt mount for the ball which limits availability if a replacement is needed, but I can't see that happening. When I took the car for an MOT shortly after fitting it, the tester said "What are you planning to tow, the QE2?"
Click to expand...

Agreed the nissan brink one is about twice the size and weight of the witter one
 
check spec of bar on 3.0 manual mam of trailer is 3tonne.

also truck can manage a 140kg nose weight, but not all bars can.

suspect a two horse trailer will be upper range of this.

just checked nose of my twin axle carravan, at 125kg.
 
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