[BigBoldBri]

Collected a Tow bar for my Estima today, another Ebay purchase it is the Toyota kit from a 2005 Previa.

I have instructions on how to connect the wiring loom, as anyone got any photos of how the tow bar itself fits? It may be obvious when I get under the bus -just thought I'd ask for any guidance available before I start.

Many Thanks

BBB






P.S. I had a search through the forum but didn't find anything relevant to the "new" bus.

[Sir Henry]

A Previa towbar won't fit without considerable modification as the Estima is narrower than the donor vehicle. Like as not the fixings will be different as well.

[BigBoldBri]

Sir Henry, on 16 March 2010 - 10:57 PM, said:

A Previa towbar won't fit without considerable modification as the Estima is narrower than the donor vehicle. Like as not the fixings will be different as well.

Sir Henry, I Think you are getting confused with the "mark 1" model, my bus is the same body shell as the later UK Previa HOWEVER I agree some of the fixtures and fittings, not least the seat layout, do differ. An initial look at the tow bar though looks like it should be the same

[Sir Henry]

If the towbar fits ...

[E5TMA]

There is a tutorial for towbar fitting...

But it looks like a different type of bar but the mounting should be similar...

It`s in the club members section


Estima 2000+ Tow Bar Fitting

This post has been edited by E5TMA: 17 March 2010 - 03:28 PM

[BigBoldBri]

E5TMA, on 17 March 2010 - 12:48 PM, said:

There is a tutorial for towbar fitting...

But it looks like a different type of bar...

It`s in the club members section


Estima 2000+ Tow Bar Fitting

Thanks Mike, I knew I had read a tutorial somewhere - is it just me or is the search facility on this forum not very useful?

The kit I have is the genuine Toyota version - £450 new to you sir - it seems very heavy and looks a lot more substantial compared to the one in your tutorial.

I think this kit does not require the bumper to be cut, the tow ball is part of a single long curved bar which bolts in place behind the bumper. In fact this gives me another problem, my primary reason for wanting a tow bar is to fit my cycle carrier. This relies on a bracket which bolts between the tow bar ball and the plate it fits too - except I don't have such a plate. So I get my back from Sir Henry for that

I let you know how I get on and post some photos......

[Rich44]

use google instead put your search term in as normal then afterwards put site:www.estimaowners.com

eg

tow bar fitting site:www.estimaowners.com

Don't know if the results will be any better but worth a shot

[E5TMA]

Think these might come in handy Bri.....

Might need to print them out & turn them around 1st

Brink tow bar fitting guide

This post has been edited by E5TMA: 17 March 2010 - 05:38 PM

[BigBoldBri]

Rich44, on 17 March 2010 - 03:42 PM, said:

use google instead put your search term in as normal then afterwards put site:www.estimaowners.com

eg

tow bar fitting site:www.estimaowners.com

Don't know if the results will be any better but worth a shot

Thanks Rich that is a good idea, I always use this method when searching Microsoft's site just never occurred to me to try on TEOC

[BigBoldBri]

E5TMA, on 17 March 2010 - 05:37 PM, said:

Think these might come in handy Bri.....

Might need to print them out & turn them around 1st

Brink tow bar fitting guide

Fantastic Mike , many thanks. I have been under the bus this afternoon and had worked out how the tow bar must go together but its great to have confirmation.

The best thing is it fits!!!

I was also given the complete tow bar wiring harness, which includes cables to go all the way forward to the battery. Not sure if I'll use all this as it seems a bit OTT for what I want.

[BigBoldBri]

Finished fitting the tow bar today, just got to tackle the electrics now....





P.S. I shall invest in a new knob cover

[E5TMA]

well done that man................

Sod the knob cover your bus could do with a clean.........

This post has been edited by E5TMA: 23 March 2010 - 10:43 PM

[BigBoldBri]

E5TMA, on 23 March 2010 - 10:42 PM, said:

well done that man................

Sod the knob cover your bus could do with a clean.........

Yes but it was raining and I was even too lazy to give my knob a good rub before taking a photo of it .......

[E5TMA]

BigBoldBri, on 23 March 2010 - 10:45 PM, said:

Yes but it was raining and I was even too lazy to give my knob a good rub before taking a photo of it .......

[Coxy]

BigBoldBri, on 23 March 2010 - 10:40 PM, said:

Finished fitting the tow bar today, just got to tackle the electrics now....





P.S. I shall invest in a new knob cover

Bri, You may be able to get a replacement towball hook made up with a flange plate on if you want to mount your bike rack on it. Not so neat as the swan neck but the assembly looks meaty enough.

Suspect the wiring might be the clever bit. Let us know how you go.

I agree about the site search function. Close to useless, which was why I proposed we produced a 'tidied up' archive where the tips and tutorials were cleared of chit-chat and easier to locate. Nothing more annoying than knowing that you've seen a good post when a job needs doing but not having the time to dig around and find it again. I'm interested to try Rich's suggestion to see if that gets over the problem.