Towbar DIY?

[mheloy]

Is installing towbar a DIY?
Planning to buy from here http://www.towbarsaustralia.com.au/ then installing it myself.

another question is does FWD and 4WD matters in towing capacity?

[KingBilly]

Fitting a towbar is a fairly simple matter.  Most just bolt into existing chassis holes.  Most wiring harnesses are plug and play.

A front wheel drive vehicle would normally have a lower towing ability than a four wheel drive vehicle which is either primarily a rear wheel drive or an all wheeel drive.  Weight on the tow hitch tends to lift the front of the vehicle and the reduced weight on the driving wheels of a front wheel drive vehicle will reduce its towing capacity.

KB

[mheloy]

Thanks KB
Can I install a tow bar in my CX9 FWD 3.6L engine Petrol and hook up a Jayco SWAN/EAGLE or Hawk Outback?

[KingBilly]

Depends on the ball weight of your Jayco and the tow bar specifications of your Mazda.  Check the manuals or with the dealers.  I reckon you will be OK as the CX9 is a reasonably sized vehicle but you would need to confirm

KB

[gronk]

Do you normally change your own brake pads ?

If yes, then I'd have a go......if no, then I'd take it to a towbar joint..

Some cars are fairly straightforward but others require bumpers etc to come off, so unless you think you are capable of tackling it, pay the $100 and get it fitted....some towbar places are pretty reasonable with a all in price..

ps;   don't go to a dealer...they charge an arm and a leg !!

[KingBilly]

Both fitting a tow bar and changing brake pads are fairly basic jobs for me but maybe not others . Bit of a strange comparison though 

Just googled fitting a tow bar to a CX9 and it looks like a simple job with only 6 bolts going into captive nuts in the rear chassis.

Good luck

KB

[dazzler]

I imagine that you have already done this but dont forget to compare all providers.  A few years ago I had a mobile towbar mob install at home for less than I could buy it myself.

[mheloy]

Thanks guys. No I don't have it yet. I looked at YouTube and it's fairly simple. I'm it will take me a while.  Let me ask around.

What's a reasonable price for a 2kg tow bar with wiring and install? Hayman Reese is the go?

[gronk]

Both fitting a tow bar and changing brake pads are fairly basic jobs for me but maybe not others . Bit of a strange comparison though 


KB

Couldn't think of a good comparison ??  But if you aren't confident changing brake pads, then maybe not installing a towbar either..
I can change brake pads, but would baulk at pulling apart a gearbox !! ( did once, but a M20 box out of a Kingswood ) so although some things seem easy to one person, it might be a huge challenge to another !

[brickiematt]

G'day mheloy. Where abouts in Victoria are you? If in the suburbs of Melbourne, I'd recommend Lodie from Carbars:  http://carbars.net.au/

He came out and fitted a towbar to the Outlander when we bought it. Can't recall the cost, but I remember it was very reasonable for supply and fit in your own driveway. His service and quality of work was excellent.

As others have said, if you're confident you can do the job yourself, then go for it; otherwise it's often well worth it to pay a little extra for a professional job that brings with it a guartantee of workmanship and peace of mind.

Good luck mate
 
Matt

[mheloy]

G'day mheloy. Where abouts in Victoria are you? If in the suburbs of Melbourne, I'd recommend Lodie from Carbars:  http://carbars.net.au/

He came out and fitted a towbar to the Outlander when we bought it. Can't recall the cost, but I remember it was very reasonable for supply and fit in your own driveway. His service and quality of work was excellent.

As others have said, if you're confident you can do the job yourself, then go for it; otherwise it's often well worth it to pay a little extra for a professional job that brings with it a guartantee of workmanship and peace of mind.

Good luck mate
 
Matt

I'm from the west Werribee area... will definitely call them.
Thanks