Towbar...

[DamianT]

Righto,

The plan of buying a cheap 4x4 to tow the caravan has gone down the drain as the wife has decided that she wants to keep her little Citroen ZX, so I'm going to have to use the LS.

So, apart from Towequipe., who else supplies towbars? I had a look on the Towsure website and they claim not to be available.

My other option is to search the scrappies for a second hand unit... but I believe they're like hens teeth! Don't suppose anyone has one lying around their garage by chance?

Ta...

Daiman

[Ruud]

mine has a towbar. Fitted by the Lexus dealer 5 years ago for about £1200.

I might sell it. I have nothing to tow :)

[simontaylor]

Watling engineering in St Albans do LS400 towbars.

I fitted one to my mk-III, good quality and strong too.

[davidlexusls400]

Watling engineering in St Albans do LS400 towbars.

I fitted one to my mk-III, good quality and strong too.

I also used Watling Engineering and very cheekily asked for discount, which I received!

Best of luck

David

[Nitmoi]

I understand from previous posts that there needs to be some attention to the gearbox involving oil coolers?

[Ruud]

I understand from previous posts that there needs to be some attention to the gearbox involving oil coolers?

Yes you are correct, mine has an extra oil cooler fitted.

[Wessel]

Watling engineering in St Albans do LS400 towbars.

I fitted one to my mk-III, good quality and strong too.

I am looking for a tow bar for my 2001 Lexus ls400. It sounds like it is the same as the one for the Mark 111. Is mine a mark 4? I got a quote for 260 pounds (with vat) from Watling Engineering. Does that sound right? A local place quoted me 4 hours at 50 pounds per hour to fit. Does that sound fair?

Do I need an extra oil cooler for my 2001 model? What will that cost me if I need it.

[Wessel]

I understand from previous posts that there needs to be some attention to the gearbox involving oil coolers?

Yes you are correct, mine has an extra oil cooler fitted.

I am looking for a tow bar for my 2001 Lexus ls400. It sounds like it is the same as the one for the Mark 111. Is mine a mark 4? I got a quote for 260 pounds (with vat) from Watling Engineering. Does that sound right? A local place quoted me 4 hours at 50 pounds per hour to fit. Does that sound fair?

Do I need an extra oil cooler for my 2001 model? What will that cost me if I need it.

[simontaylor]

Oil cooler depends on what you are towing, and if you want to follow exact manufacturer (in persuit of perfection) recomendations. A small garden trailer or motorbike trailer is very different on gearbox load compared to getting a caravan up and over the alps.

I think I paid about £220 from Watling about 3 years ago and 4 hours is probably about right as the bumper does need to come off.

[simontaylor]

For those with a Watling towbar, I found a plastic plug to fit the exposed tube when the towball neck is removed.

http://www.componentforce.co.uk/product/130/Sti251/sample

I just asked for a sample and sure enough it fits fine.

Actually I asked for 2, just in case I lost one.

I also made a drain hole at the bottom of the tube on the car.

Inside the insert i have made 2 holes and threaded a cable tie through to make a finger pull.

All seems to work pretty well.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/s.taylor8817/web%20pics/TowBarInsert.JPG