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I have just purchased a new Ford Fiesta and wish to fit a towbar for transporting bikes only.

Ford will supply and fit a towbar for around $700.00 plus GST. Another company will supply and fit a non genuine towbar for $300.00.

My question is - will using a non Ford towbar invalidate the manufacturer’s warranty?

Ann

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 28 January 2011

You need to be more than a little careful.

Fitting a non genuine towbar can create problems long term. One of the reason genuine towbars are so expensive is because of the design and testing programme that is undertaken. It is very important to ensure there are no issues with stress to the body if the maximum recommended towing weight was ever applied.

The stress on the body with bikes mounted via a towbar should not be taken lightly. When a trailer is hooked up to a tow ball the load is more direct which creates more of a pull or push type strain on the body work. The body stress from a bike rack is more a flexing action as the bike(s) is (are) mounted high and hang out from the bike rack itself. This can create a lot of strain on the body work especially if the towbar has not been designed to absorb that flexing.

Another option is to fit a bike rack which does not require a towbar at all. There are several different options available depending on the body design of the vehicle.

Current retail prices from a quick search are around the $250 mark.

I can understand your concerns regarding the price of a genuine bar and I wouldn’t say definitely no to the non genuine option, just be very careful. Warranty will only become a problem if the body suffered from some sort of stress and the cause was proven to be the way the non genuine towbar was fitted.

You would also need to adhere to Fords recommended towing weights and towball downward load regardless of what was fitted.

Often these sorts of accessories become a negotiating tool before signing up for a new car. Most sales staff will not let a sale slip away without trying to do some sort of deal if a towbar was required.

Always remember, the costs you were quoted would have been based on retail pricing, so there is always room for movement by the dealer.