Towbar install and bits left over?
 

Hi all,
I recently had a Hayman Reece towbar (trailer hitch for you US guys) fitted and when I collected the vehicle the installer asked whether I wanted to keep the bits that were taken off the vehicle for the bar to be fitted...

I of course said yes...but now I am worried as to whether all of these bits should have come off the car for the bar to be mounted...

The bits include lots of bolts, a long flat bit of metal and a two shock absorber looking things...

Your advice would be very much appreciated...

Cheers,

Ian

I might be wrong but it seems they have dismantled your shock absorbing bumper pieces and replaced them with rigid ones. Since I have been BMW owner from my first car (except few mistakes between), i have had an opportunity to use bumper shock absorbers. Hit 5 series with my 7 series once behind the traffic lights and both cars drove away without a problem. I want to believe it was because of bumper shock absorbers.

Your location is scary. I was watching over my shoulder while writing.

Thanks Havi...
 

Hmmm, given your experience...I think I would prefer to have the shock absorbers left in place...

I wonder if removing them to fit the hitch is common practice for this type of towbar? :dunno:

Given your location in the world, I would actually like to be there...and watching...:D

Cheers,

Ian

Probably some towbar specialist or bmw technician could have more accurate word of wisdom about this.
But I would definitely want the same, except you being literally exactly behind me ... and watching :rofl:. No offence, i would have nothing against you being in EU :rofl:.

Every towbar kit I've seen, US and Euro removes the shock absorbers from the rear bumper. I'm still shopping for a Euro swan neck type removable tow hitch, and every installation PDF between Westfalia, Monoflex and the factory one removes the shocks for more hitch support. Leave in a the hitch and receiver...that'll puncture someone radiator and protect you better than 5mph bumpers :)