Hi new to all this. would like to get a tow bar fitted. Have be en told it has to be fitted by a garaged not d.i.y.

Fitted numerous ones myself, no issues. Perhaps the garage part is to recode the ecu so it knows it has a towbar fitted

Fitted 90% of my cars over the last 20 years, never had one that needed coding and fortunately my HSE had one already. Never had any issues with fitting them, 4x4's tend to be better designed for them anyway.

I have always fitted my own tow bars. Have never bother getting the ECU's reprogrammed either and all works well! 1998 300TDi Auto Disco, never to be forgotten.
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Fitting easy straight forward and nothing illegal about it.

Pre-2013 FL2's need programming, and 2013MY FL2's don't. Freelander 2 HSE Lux 2013MY - Barolo Black with Ivory Leather. Alpine DVD - Privacy -Evoque 20" Dynamic Wheels and more to come.........

thanks for the replies its not the coding . have been told by more than one that it is a legal regiment now to be fitted by authorized installers who have to give certificate afterwords.

The paperwork/certificate will be to show that the towbar is 'EC type approved' for your vehicle. You would have this paperwork whether you bought and fitted yourself or got someone to fit in which case they would give you the paperwork.

There is no legal restriction on you fitting one yourself.

When I enquired with my insurance company about fitting different wheels, one requirement was to have them 'professionally fitted'. Research on their website suggests that items such as towbars should be as well. Is this what the OP is referring to? 2016 BMW X3 30d SE in red
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fitting your own is perfectly legal

driving with a poorly fitted towbar would be illegal


towing a caravan with any sort of towbar should be illegal At work
At home

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I fitted my own and i asked admiral ins if it was ok. They said fine but charged me more as it was an accessory. So fit yourself and dont tell ins company.

Thanks to all that have replied. Iwas quoted £1,000 plus by dealer. £480 by a independent. But will now look to fit myself. I have learnt a lot from this forum. So thanks to all.

Winslet wrote:

When I enquired with my insurance company about fitting different wheels, one requirement was to have them 'professionally fitted'. Research on their website suggests that items such as towbars should be as well. Is this what the OP is referring to?

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&sourc...v0UGq9Zpww

It is really easy to fit.

wurzel153 wrote:

So fit yourself and dont tell ins company.

Winslet wrote:

When I enquired with my insurance company about fitting different wheels, one requirement was to have them 'professionally fitted'. Research on their website suggests that items such as towbars should be as well. Is this what the OP is referring to?