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Can anyone identify the towbar?


Surfer

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On the 2018 GC Overland I collect yesterday it has a towbar fitted, but the hitch part is missing.  Not sure if it was fitted as part of a Jeep package originally.  Can you perhaps identify it and save me a journey to the towbar fitters?  Thanks.

Towbar connection.jpg

Tow bar connection1.jpg

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That was the first place we checked.  The dealer was not even aware that there was a tow bar and electrics until I asked them to check.  The only tow hitch that I have seen that looks like it could go in the " round hole" is the Westfalia hitch.  Previously all my hitches have been square shape.

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I agree, it does look like the Westfalia. I found this one for £248. It is worth doing a breaker's yard request if you want to find a used one but the difficulty then might be finding one with the matching key.

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Thanks, but just to confirm I will probably pop down to a fitter tomorrow as do not want to lash out £250 and then find I need to return the unit as postage will be eye watering. 

Crawling around underneath I found this label with TriMotive on it.  TriMotive is actually an Australian company that fit towbars.  There was an automotive company in Swansea called TriMotive which has now closed shop.   I now suspect that maybe the towbar could be a rebranded Westphalia towbar. 

Tow bar brand.jpg

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25 minutes ago, V said:

TriMotive is a tow bar company in South Africa owned by Horizon Global who also own Westfalia and Witter.

That makes sense and must have taken a lot of digging.  I am from South Africa and have never heard of either, but then I never took much notice of twobars. 

I am now fairly confident it is a rebranded Westfalia.  I will pop into the fitters tomorrow so that they can visually check.  If they can match or come close to the price on the eBay item, then i will go for it.

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Overlander21

The "A50-X" is a Westfaila part / model number too.

 

Although google suggests a horizontal rather than vertical attachment, which seems to conflict with your photos  🤔

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I took the Jeep to the Westfalia agent in Bromsgrove and they were unable to identify the towbar.  Also stated that even if it was a Westfalia the manufacturer would not supply the hitch only.

As I am now finding it awkward to fit the detachable hitch i have decided to have a fixed swan neck towbar fitted.  Cost is about £60 more than if I had to buy a similar new or second hand hitch off eBay if it fitted.😀

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  • 4 weeks later...

Surfer,

Your picture appears identical to the receiver for the Thule removable towing hitch I have on my WK2. This was fitted by a Jeep dealer before I bought the vehicle, and I had only specified an OEM removable hitch. The removable bit looks similar but not identical to the picture posted by Overlander 21. I'll get a picture and further details tomorrow (if it's not raining!). The instruction leaflet is published by Thule, and makes no mention of Jeep or FCA. 

Gerald

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I have since had it replaced as neither of the two fitters that I approached had seen such a tow bar.  In addition, even if it was a Thule getting a receiver may have been difficult.

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On 11/09/2022 at 07:28, Surfer said:

I have since had it replaced as neither of the two fitters that I approached had seen such a tow bar.  In addition, even if it was a Thule getting a receiver may have been difficult.

Pity you needed to do that. My nephew had a similar hitch (though not on a Jeep) and was easily able to source a replacement when his got stolen the day before a caravan holiday. Mine was fitted by Westover Jeep in Christchurch, from whom I bought the vehicle. I found that I had to declare the one I previously had whenever I renewed the  insurance on that car, so I avoided problems by having one as 'original equipment'.

Just in case anyone else has a similar query, here are pictures of the hitch and receiver (type 3KS) I have:- 

 

IMG_5621.JPG

IMG_5619.JPG

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