(Home) Watlings towbars, a warning

After being quoted £149.50 for a towbar on my 94 townace royal lounge,I booked it in and was told it would take two hours. My girlfriend took it down today and was told it would be four hours plus and they would phone when ready. After repeated phone calls to them she went back to pick it up only to be told the price was now £338!!!! because of labour, ball, wiring, a (so-called) relay to stop it from blowing up, extra labour because the bumper was rusted on. She then told him to take it off because we could not pay that amount and would buy just the bar. He had left the bumper attached with 4 cable ties, he also told her the number plate light and fog lamp were not working but it has only just had an mot. He then threw the keys at her and told a mechanic to deal with it as he was fed up with it. She then asked the mechanic if this happened a lot (she also heard a heated phone conversation) and the guy said people normally just pay up because they need the towbar or if they cant pay he impounds their van till they can. we have now got the bar only plus the wiring which has come to nearly £200 inc vat and i will try to fit it myself. This was our expeirience of the company and can only say we MAY have caught him on a bad day. Get a full quote in advance

- (#10016) mark jones, 28 Jul 03 12:52

We're picking up our Townace Super Extra (on a K plate)on Thursday, and are going away for the weekend on Friday evening (tight timing I know - not our original plan!). We booked with a (reputable)local dealer to have a towbar fitted on Friday morning, but have now been told that they can't get one for at least 4 weeks as their supplier is out of stock. We've since tried several other Towbar fitters and been told the same thing - the only make which will fit is a Watling and they are all out of stock.
Does anyone know of another make which will fit? And can anyone recommend a fitter in the Bristol area? This is going to somewhat spoil our big family weekend away if we can't tow the trailer-tent!

- (#10017) Lisa, 29 Jul 03 3:57

Had a tow bar fitted to my 94 Liteace (same body as a townie) about a year ago. Looked at off the shelf options but found a specialist in Bournemouth who made and fitted a custom bar for £160, only problem is its virtually impossible to get the spare wheel out with the bar fitted. There are some good specialists out there.

We're not using the bar at the moment so it maybe for sale.
- (#10018) Rob, 29 Jul 03 9:35

hi everyone this may not help lisa but anyone wanting a towbar fitting to any of the ace family of cars in the north may get one fitted (custom built) at the helmshore motor company (near bury) phone 01706231231 dont know the price as mine was fitted to my hiace in with the price of the wagon when i bought it 2 weeks ago good job done though hope this helps someone see ya

- (#10019) pete, 29 Jul 03 15:20

I had one fitted a couple of years ago to my Liteace GXL (1992 K reg). It was at All Tow Bars outside Reading For the princely sum of £180. Trouble was it was a custom job as off the shelf ones wouldn't fit and after three trips down there, (I live north of Oxford) and getting it fitted, I've never been able to shut the tailgate properly. (The latch broke a few weeks ago) Can still get the spare out, though!

- (#10020) Alan Bickley (oxon), 30 Jul 03 16:20

I contacted the gentlemen at Watlings and was quoted a price of £220. Bearing in mind a quote for an Escort was £180 from my local dealer, I thought it was a good price.
I'm not a brilliant DIYer but I decided to do it myself.
They even faxed me a couple of fitting instructions just to see if I thought I could cope.
They advised a six week wait because they make them themselves, but it turned up in less than 2 weeks.The
pack had odd bits and pieces that weren't quite right because a lot of Townies are different spec. Everytime I hit a problem I rang the gentleman, and everytime he had an answer. He couldn't have been much more helpful.
The wiring diagrams were ever so slightly different, but every problem I came across he was there to help.
It took me five days but it fits and works perfectly. Use the old joiners adage..measure twice and cut once.
Work slowly and everything will go well.


- (#10021) Colin, 7 Aug 03 10:08

I have had a towbar fitted to my J reg Masterace and the knowledgable man who fitted it (Phil Taylor towbars) would not quote until he had seen my Townie because there are two types of towbar depending on the exhaust system fitted to your truck. one is arround £200 fitted and one is arround £300 fitted. If they don't ask they don't know go to someone who does!!

Hope this helps

Barrie

- (#10192) Barrie, 13 Aug 03 6:18

Hi - I have just got hold of a 1990 Lieace from a local garage in Norfolk. There is a load knocking from the back when you are in the wrong gear/going round a corner/under reving. They told me this started happening when the previous owners had a towar fitted. Luckily my brother used to fit towbars, and was able to confirm that's all it is. He's talking about grinding down part of the towbar as, cable ties to keep it the exhasuat from banging failed.
Anyone had similar problems?
Be delighted to hear from any one who can tell me more about my new purchase! stuart.laws@britvic.co.uk

- (#10299) Stuart Laws, 18 Aug 03 5:23

Rob, if you do decide to seel your towbar can you give us a shout as we have 1994 liteace and are in need of one so we can pull are trailer. If not can i have the name of the guy who did yours so i can get one sorted. Cheers

- (#10300) Hazel, 18 Aug 03 5:42

Oops forgot to mention we are in Poole :)

- (#10301) Hazel, 18 Aug 03 5:44

I wish I knew who fitted mine!!!! If hope to leave it on, as it is very solid. Otherwise, I can't help, as I have a limited knowledge of Poole!

- (#10302) Stuart Laws, 18 Aug 03 10:02

We bought just the towbar from watlins and got some else to fit it. £149.00 bar and £70.00 to fit.

- (#10719) sue, 15 Sep 03 15:36