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I have just bought (December) a 2010 Eldiss Autoquest 140.
I need to source a towbar for the vehicle, preferably one which will attach to the chassis and not just on the chassis extensions.
I am flexible on whether it may be bespoke or not but I do have two corner steadies which I would like to fit or have fitted.
All help and suggestions appreciated.
I see that you are in The North of England so maybe this would be a bit far to travel, but they did a rather good job on my van also an Eldiss, (Autoquest 400).
It took them a few hours and we stayed over night at a pub up the road( in the van) that they have an understanding with, travelled back next day.
St Albums is a really nice town too.
Anyway the Tow bar was bespoke and they did a really excellent job.
Clive.
i've an 2010 Elddis 155 and am considering corner steadies but have no idea how to go about fitting them. can you keep us informed on how you get on with this aspect of you job.
Since about 2009/2010 Elddis have whole vehicle conformity and that includes the towbar,if you order a new van its an option if not only at the moment available through Elddis dealer even though its a witter product you cannot obtain from a witter.
You are not supposed to fit any other towbar and if you travel abroad the police can check if it conforms.
I do not know the legals in the UK
Somewhere I have an e-mail from witter I will look to see if I still have it..
This is an extrct from Witter e-mail from2010
We are the original equipment supplier to Elddis and as part of whole vehicle type approval the Witter Towbar is the only towbar that can be legally fitted to the Elddis motor home. As part of our contractual agreement with Elddis the towbar unfortunately is not available in aftermarket and has to be purchased via the Elddis dealer network.
I see that you are in The North of England so maybe this would be a bit far to travel, but they did a rather good job on my van also an Eldiss, (Autoquest 400).
It took them a few hours and we stayed over night at a pub up the road( in the van) that they have an understanding with, travelled back next day.
St Albums is a really nice town too.
Anyway the Tow bar was bespoke and they did a really excellent job.
Clive.
Thanks for that! Did you mean St Albans? Is your van the same age as mine? How much did you pay? I have quotes from £200.00 to £1100.00. While the cost is not the question here, Eldiss say, (when you can contact them) that any aftermarket fitting without there authorization will negate the warranties which they provide. Watling Engineering have provided addresses for fitters as close as Grimsby Barnsleyand Doncaster
Since about 2009/2010 Elddis have whole vehicle conformity and that includes the towbar,if you order a new van its an option if not only at the moment available through Elddis dealer even though its a witter product you cannot obtain from a witter.
You are not supposed to fit any other towbar and if you travel abroad the police can check if it conforms.
I do not know the legals in the UK
Somewhere I have an e-mail from witter I will look to see if I still have it..
This is an extrct from Witter e-mail from2010
We are the original equipment supplier to Elddis and as part of whole vehicle type approval the Witter Towbar is the only towbar that can be legally fitted to the Elddis motor home. As part of our contractual agreement with Elddis the towbar unfortunately is not available in aftermarket and has to be purchased via the Elddis dealer network.
The dealer network is very much a closed shop and when I made an inquiry of a local dealer to have a towbar fitted I was quoted 1160.50. I have also had quotes which were a lot lower. Thinking???
I don't disbelieve Urbanracer of course, but this does seem a bit "unusual" to say the least . . . "We are the original equipment supplier to Elddis and as part of whole vehicle type approval the Witter Towbar is the only towbar that can be legally fitted to the Elddis motor home." (My emphasis.)
Far be it from me to make scurrilous suggestions ( ) but I would speak to Watling Towbars, and tell them the story in complete honesty.
They are very experienced and will offer expert advice - and as a very reputable company they will not fit anything with is either unsafe or dubiously legal.
With the best will in the world, very few of our members are expert enough to offer 100% reliable guidance, whereas Messrs Watling do so every day of the week.
If the above-quoted legal restriction is indeed true, they may be able to obtain the required towbar through their approved dealer network.
To the best of my knowledge it's true Dave, and it's something we'll all have to face up to. As vehicles become type approved, the towbars are part of that process. Unless the towbar's typed approved for the vehicle that's been type approved, it's not legal. Hopefully the likes of Watling St can get approved ones, but otherwise we're going to be locked into what manufacturers offer.
The extract is from a letter from witters sales manager in 2010,I was having similar problems and quotes.
At one stage I contacted the local witter dealer who later rang me back very angry as he told me although he was a Witter towbar dealer all he could do is give me the part number and at that time Witter would not supply him the towbar.
Thats why I contacted witter direct.
It does seem strange that Witter are the ONLY approved manufacturer but in the motor industry this does happen.
The manucturer/designer of a product that will be supplied OE generally has sole rights for a certain period and when that time expires then other companies will be able to enter the market.
This has a lot to do with full vehicle approval which Elddis were the first in the UK motorhome market, Swift now have this and maybe others.
I see that you are in The North of England so maybe this would be a bit far to travel, but they did a rather good job on my van also an Eldiss, (Autoquest 400).
It took them a few hours and we stayed over night at a pub up the road( in the van) that they have an understanding with, travelled back next day.
St Albums is a really nice town too.
Anyway the Tow bar was bespoke and they did a really excellent job.
Clive.
Thanks for that! Did you mean St Albans? Is your van the same age as mine? How much did you pay? I have quotes from £200.00 to £1100.00. While the cost is not the question here, Eldiss say, (when you can contact them) that any aftermarket fitting without there authorization will negate the warranties which they provide. Watling Engineering have provided addresses for fitters as close as Grimsby Barnsleyand Doncaster
Yes Sorry St Albans,Watling charged me 600 ex vat.
Cannot comment on any of the Warantee issues. I do think that it is a bloody cheek though.,and def a bit iffy.
My van is 2005 so I am not really concerned about that issue, I tow a car and small trailer at times.
Watling are really very good and have proved it by putting you in touch with people closer to you, they are like that.
Good luck with your endeavours.
Clive
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) but I would speak to Watling Towbars, and tell them the story in complete honesty.
