Towbar fitting cost guide

A towbar can be a helpful, practical addition to your vehicle if you want to head off on holiday with your caravan, trailer or bike rack. Towbars are also essential for agricultural businesses needing to tow horseboxes and other animal transport vehicles.

It’s important to choose the right towbar for your needs, but it’s even more crucial to make sure it’s fitted properly. A mistake could lead to a loose connection between your car and the vehicle you’re towing. This could be highly dangerous, especially when out on the motorway or travelling at speed.

In this guide, we’ll look at the average towbar fitting cost. This includes the cost of installing the electric kit along with it.

How much does it cost to install a towbar?

The typical towbar fitting cost depends firstly on which type you opt for. There are detachable, fixed and swivelling towbars available. The make, model and age of your vehicle can also affect the price of the towbar, as it needs to be compatible.

On average, you can expect to pay between £215 and £522 to have a towbar professionally and securely fitted.

Towbar and electrics fitting cost

An essential component of your new towbar is the electric kit, which many towbars come with. This kit synchronises the electric in your car with those on your caravan or trailer. So, when you indicate left or right, the towed vehicle does too. This is crucial for safety on the road.

However, it may cost extra to have the electric kit fitted at the same time as the towbar. The total towbar and electric fitting cost will depend on whether you have a 7 pin or 13 pin electric kit. But on average, you’ll pay around £379 to £536 depending on your vehicle’s make and model.

Towbar installation costs for popular vehicle models

To give you an idea of how much it’ll cost to have a towbar fitted to your vehicle, let’s look at a couple of specific examples.

To fit a fixed towbar and 7 pin electric kit, you’ll typically pay:

• From £379 for a Dacia Duster.
• From £403 for a Ford Mondeo.
• From £473 for a Skoda Octavia.
• From £516 for a Kia Sportage.
• From £536 for a Land Rover Discovery Sport.

FAQs

Can I fit a towbar myself?

You should never fit a towbar yourself – always use a professional or registered fitter. It could be a serious safety hazard on the roads otherwise, especially when travelling at speed.

Which electric kit do I need for my towbar?

A 7 pin electric kit will be fine in many cases, as this will be adequate for synchronising the electrics in both vehicles. You’ll need a 13 pin kit if your caravan or trailer needs permanent electricity (i.e. to power a fridge). It also depends on the car make and model, as many newer vehicles only take 13 pin.