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Last updated: 2 July 2024
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.
Choosing the right towbar is crucial for your needs, but it’s even more important 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?
| Cost provided item | Low–high cost | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
| Type approved tow bar, supply only | £400–£600 | £500 |
| Type approved tow bar supplied & fitted | £800–£1,400 | £1,100 |
| Last updated: July 2025 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | ||
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 £800–£1,400 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, 13 being more expensive. But on average, you’ll pay around £1,100 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 13 pin electric kit, you’ll typically pay:
From £1,100 for a Dacia Duster
From £800 for a Ford Mondeo
From £800 for a Skoda Octavia
From £1,100 for a Kia Sportage
From £1,400 for a Land Rover Discovery Sport
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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 for reverse lights. It also depends on the car make and model, as many newer vehicles only take 13 pin.
Do I need a 'type approved' towbar?
If you get a tow bar for your car, it needs to be ‘type approved’. This means it meets EU regulations and is designed for your car.
Type-approved tow bars have a label with:
an approval number
details of the vehicles it’s approved for
If your car was first used before 1 August 1998, your tow bar does not need to be type-approved.
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