Roof bars and towbars - experience please

[Paulie68]

I've been refused a tow bar fitting due to complex wiring, by one installer and quoted £750 at my local installer, but using official mg5 electrics.
I'm not sure if its worth the money?

It's sometimes hard to believe just how mediocre some people really must be at the job they're meant to be a specialist in!

You can just use a standard universal bypass relay, as it just needs to see the 12v at the lights in question when in use as a signal, and as it doesn't pull any noticeable current to do that, causes no issues. So many cars are using LED's & can bus today, it's amazing anyone fitting tow bars would think that was complex! The only downside to universal wiring is the rear sensors, if fitted, will still beep when reversing with a trailer on as they'll see it.

A detachable neck Brink tow bar for the 5 is around £340 with universal wiring, about £460 if using the more expensive bespoke loom, with fitting coming in at around £300, £750 is about right for a fitted price for a detachable with bespoke wiring. It is quite an expensive tow bar compared to others for some reason. A fixed neck, "shin-basher" should be about £75 less!

You can fit to either pre or post facelift cars, they're exactly the same structurally, but can't legally tow with the pre, although, no one is ever likely to pick it up as an issue if you do!

 

[mikgle]

Thanks everyone for the contributions. I test drove a 2022 MG5 yesterday and signed on the line. Picking it up Wednesday.

I used a Halfords universal type roof bars for my mk.1 MG5, worked a treat. I also bought from there a boot tray also, can't remember what size possibly the largest but you can measure. That was worth it too, in fact I've still got both in the garage as i now have an MG4.

 

[Richard P]

The early cars were certified for use (as an addendum in the handbook) but limited to a load of 75kg

Yes - I was really surprised to find the dealer had stuck the addendum in the relevant page of the little handbook when it went in for it's first service

 

[SimonomiS]

Yes - I was really surprised to find the dealer had stuck the addendum in the relevant page of the little handbook when it went in for it's first service

Dealers posted them out in the post too if you'd bought from them

 

[workwithtoby]

I've been refused a tow bar fitting due to complex wiring, by one installer and quoted £750 at my local installer, but using official mg5 electrics.
I'm not sure if its worth the money?

Not unreasonable for a full two bar and electrics install.