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Swan neck tow bar question

Posted: 13 Mar 2016, 06:46
by bmouthboyo
My camper has a swanneck tow bar that I am not sure if is custom welded or off the shelf. Either way it was fitted under the old body kit I removed and I am now wondering how best to get a bumper on it. I wont need to use a trailer or tow anything so looking to go back standard.

I have not purchased a bumper panel yet but I have a feeling it wont fit because of the swan neck part?

Should I angle grind the swanneck off? Or best to sell and buy a replacement that allows a bumper to fit?

Cheers

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Re: Swan neck tow bar question

Posted: 13 Mar 2016, 07:52
by itchyfeet
Personally I'd kept, it's a T25 specific westy swan neck, great if somebody just nudges you from the rear you won't loose your engine and great for a bike rack.

Steel bumper just needs a small cut, I did mine with a hole saw, the bumper just bolts on as it is designed to do.

Big bumpers will need extra brackets on the top, not sure if they need cutting.

To go back to standard you need to get bumper irons to fit in place of the towbar.

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Re: Swan neck tow bar question

Posted: 13 Mar 2016, 09:23
by bmouthboyo
Ah OK, I like the cut out idea. Iv not seen behind a standard t25 rear bumper, I assumed it's the same just no Swan neck part.

Re: Swan neck tow bar question

Posted: 13 Mar 2016, 09:49
by silverbullet
I have some spare bumper irons with towing loops (both sides) and I would be interested in your towbar.

PS there is no tube between them.

Please don't cut it!!!

Re: Swan neck tow bar question

Posted: 13 Mar 2016, 16:13
by bmouthboyo
Thanks for the advice guys, I think I'll keep it then and mod a bumper when I source one.

On a side note is the bumper needed for an MOT? Wondered as it's mainly just cosmetic.

Cheers

Re: Swan neck tow bar question

Posted: 13 Mar 2016, 16:40
by itchyfeet
what2do has had no rear bumper for years and has a swan neck.
Sharp edges is all they can fail you on and there isn't really any.

Re: Swan neck tow bar question

Posted: 14 Mar 2016, 10:04
by what2do
Indeed, I pointed it out to my tester a few years ago and he said it was fine. He's not a guy that let things slide for the sake of it either, he's very thorough. You'll be fine. That tow are has made impact with the front end of a woman's car on th M25 a couple of years ago. I didn't suffer a scratch, she, however, had to get a recovery truck to continue her journey as her rad was trashed. Keep the towbar I say :ok