Towbar - Experience and/or pics

bru20vt · 31-07-2009, 04:17 PM

Got a quote today from Ford to fit the towpack - $448 includes towball, towbar and wiring. Never seen a Fiesta with a towpack. Only need it to carry 3 bikes around. No intention of towing a trailer so should be up to the task.

Please post pics or experience. thanks. dom

Fi.ES.TA · 31-07-2009, 07:58 PM

No,NO towbar dont do it lol.

hendrixhc · 31-07-2009, 08:14 PM

no expert on the matter but ex wife worked for a towbar company. Dealers generally charge about $100 to much for their bars. ( eg heavy duty 2300kg for my efxr6 was $278. Be careful what bar you put on to carry bikes. because the weight of the bikes push down on the bar they are considerd a ball weight not a towing capacity, therefore, if the towing capacity for your fiesta bar is say 400kg, you may only have a 40kg ball weight max. ( figures are hypothetical!!!) research first.

JayD · 01-08-2009, 08:14 AM

We've got a towbar fitted to our WQ 5 Door Zetec, and it tows ok. We towed a 7x5 trailer from Victoria to Brisbane, loaded up with stuff, and two adults and two kids in the car and it towed without any probs.
I did have a few dramas with the actual fitting job, but that was the sub standard contractor who did the job (contacted to Melton Ford in Vic). They decided that the best way to fit the wiring plug was self tappers straight into the rear bar, and the bar had obviously been resting on rough concrete while they fitted the bar, as it was covered in scratches....I made them remove the plug and fix the holes and scratches. I also had a few dramas because the two bolts that attach the gooseneck to the actual bar came loose, whilst towing!! the day after fitment, but since then have had no problems. I have never overloaded the towbar, and the car has always sat fairly level when towing. I think the max ball weight is around 50kg, and I always get the trailer on the bathroom scales to double check.

kiwijohn42 · 01-08-2009, 08:23 AM

What model Fez have you got?
I've got a Thule rack for my WQ, that clips onto the hatch. Solid as, carries 3 bikes up to 45kg. No straps to come loose either.
If you dig back a few years, you should find some pics.

bru20vt · 01-08-2009, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwijohn42

What model Fez have you got?
I've got a Thule rack for my WQ, that clips onto the hatch. Solid as, carries 3 bikes up to 45kg. No straps to come loose either.
If you dig back a few years, you should find some pics.

I have a 2006 WQ 3door. Do you have the thule freeway 968?.

There is also a thule 9103 that holds 3 bikes but the thule website says it is for 4 door Fiesta's 2004 onwards. Didnt think the rear was any different in the 3 and 4 door versions.
dom

kiwijohn42 · 01-08-2009, 03:45 PM

I've got the 9103, it fits fine.
The bottom hooks are wound out to the max & it does put a bit of pressure on my rear spoiler.