Import Tow Hitch From Usa?

[bigegg]

I just bought a cheap (£350) GS300 for my wife to learn to drive in

Thinking about adding a tow bar, but the UK prices are horrendous - I've just been quoted £400 (including fitting), or £300 supply only.

I prefer the US style "receiver" tow hitch as I can fit a bike rack to it.

I've been looking on the US bay of E and they're selling for about $140 (£80).

Even after shipping, duty, and VAT, I'll still be looking at less than £200 - and fitting isn't a problem, I must have fitted 40 or 50 over the years to various cars and vans.

Has anyone imported a tow hitch form the US? Any issues? Any recommended supplier?

I only tow a 750kg trailer, no caravans!

[david62]

sold my caravan because tow bars were so expensive but the usa one is good value if it meets uk specs etc......got a tent now..lol good luck with it all....david

[bigegg]

Cars pre 1998 don't need a type approved towbar.

I could weld one up myself and it could pass MOT and would satisfy "Construction & Use regulations" without any official testing neccesary.

any way, it's a bit academic at the moment, cos when I went to collect the car, there was a massive crack in the windscreen that wasn't mentioned in the advert

So I'm back to looking - for a LS400 this time