genuine towbar or other

[mattharding]

In process of buying a my15 glxr.

Dealer is trying to sell me genuine for 890 fitted

Should I go genuine or something like an arb rear bar step

[Cowboy Dave]

$890 fitted is steep. Supply only used to be about $600 and the install is pretty easy. The wiring harness will take twice as long as bolting the bar up.

Stock though the bar sits very low on the glxr and a bit better on models without the rear step (?glx?). If you're never going off-road it won't matter much.

There's a few decent alternatives now - arb, TJM, mcc. All pretty easy to fit. Cheaper if you stick with black obviously.

[Colsha]

I hit my genuine bar constantly - even on some driveways if I drive out too fast. I'd look for another bar that isn't so low.

[insomniac92]

I have the GLX with the genuine bar with the step and I hit it all the time as well. It even bottoms out reversing down some driveways. I'm changing it for the ARB bar next Monday. I wish I had got the ARB bar from the start, but when I was buying it the GF didn't like the look of the ARB bar, so I went the genuine bar instead.... Say no more. I would definitely look at others instead of genuine.

[BillMcQuade]

I have the genuine one on my GLX with rear step. I don't do hard core off road, but if I did, I would have bought a TJM. I bought the genuine one for $550, and fitted it myself. All you need are basic tools, a milk crate to sit the bar on and a hour or two of spare time. The instructions are very good, especially the wiring ones.

Which ever bar you get, buy the genuine wiring loom. It is well worth the investment, as I have seen some pretty dodgy aftermarket looms.

[TheEscapist]

Have a think about what you may want to tow in future as well. My (genuine I think!) bar may not give great clearance but it handles over two tonne weight. Do arb, mcc and the others handle the same payload?

[Geoff3DMN]

I have a GLX+ (which has the factory rear step) and the factory bar is pretty low, it hits on the spoon drain when I reverse out of our driveway (which is sloped).

I use my ute for towing a ski boat on a tandem trailer so I'm leaving the factory bar on but if I did more off roading then it would definitely be coming off.

A possible compromise between insurance cover for towing and clearance would be removing the factory rear step and fitting the factory GLX bar which sits higher than the GLX+/GLR/GLXR tow bar.

[insomniac92]

Have a think about what you may want to tow in future as well. My (genuine I think!) bar may not give great clearance but it handles over two tonne weight. Do arb, mcc and the others handle the same payload?

I know the ARB and TJM payload is the same as factory (for the MN model).

[BootSchoot]

I just bought a hayman Reece towbar (made by them) and brake controller for 690. So will let you all know how it goes when it arrives.

[kxboss]

Go the TJM rear step bar for about the same price, it sits higher and allows better exit than the oem bar.
Thwe standard rear step is rubbish and drags.
TJM RJ8 ? is great best money spent it is more of a rock slider as well.

[triton_guru]

Haha you can buy my glxr rear step and towbar if ya want lol

[tmichel]

Bought a genuine bar from Barton in Wynnum for $465.00 with wiring loom and ball and took about 3 hours to fit myself 1 hr for tow bar and two for wiring . pretty happy

[macca002]

GLXR towbar sits too low. The GLX one sits up higher due to no rear step. I have the GLX one and its great

[OffRoadDave]

I have the genuine GLX (no step) bar on mine and it sits higher than the spare wheel buy at least 2 inches.

[bopoulos]

I have a GLX+ with the genuine tow bar on it.
what are my options for getting a rear bumper? Is it possible to put one on without a step.

[MN GLXR]

You need the heavy duty bar to attach the genuine step.

[bopoulos]

You need the heavy duty bar to attach the genuine step.

The wording on my invoice is 3000Kg Towbar Pack-w/o Rr Step

I was wondering if I can get a bumper bar fitted with this on or does it need to come off. I want to keep the tow bar on.

[damo83]

You need the heavy duty bar to attach the genuine step.

The wording on my invoice is 3000Kg Towbar Pack-w/o Rr Step

I was wondering if I can get a bumper bar fitted with this on or does it need to come off. I want to keep the tow bar on.

Judging by that wording I'd say you've got the GLX towbar that sits up high so a standard rear step would not fit with that tow bar. You'd need to change to the tow bar that suits the rear step or get an aftermarket rear bar with towbar incorporated.

[bopoulos]

Cheers bloke.

[Duck]

Clear as mud I would buy what the missus tells you too

I would not be buying much genuine if I were you. I personally like the look of the tjm with the tow hitch in the bar not under it. Good luck & take some photos of the new ute
And before you need to ask no to paint protection or anything else offered of course you will take the free mats

[Cowboy Dave]

It is possible to fit a step with that towbar but to do so involves some cutting into the step - so a dealer won't do it but if you picked one up off a wrecker you might be game to have a go. It doesn't give you much protection from a rear impact though. Overseas I've seen plain chrome/stainless looking bars but I can't say I can recall seeing any here.

[Greedy]

It is possible to fit a step with that towbar but to do so involves some cutting into the step - so a dealer won't do it but if you picked one up off a wrecker you might be game to have a go. It doesn't give you much protection from a rear impact though. Overseas I've seen plain chrome/stainless looking bars but I can't say I can recall seeing any here.

Whilst true it doesn't give much protection, it also hits less due to being closer to the body. This is obviously more of an advantage with the ML rather than the MN where the departure angle is already compromised by the longer tub. Rear bars (ARB etc) lengthen the car and therefore reduce departure angle but offset this with rear protection.

[Cowboy Dave]

I was thinking more of vehicular impacts having regard to the OPs use of the term 'bumper bar'. The factory step would do very little in an accident but might stop something like a shopping trolley from denting your tailgate.

[Greedy]

I was thinking more of vehicular impacts having regard to the OPs use of the term 'bumper bar'. The factory step would do very little in an accident but might stop something like a shopping trolley from denting your tailgate.

I guess if I'd read this bit properly, I wouldn't be spinning off on a tangent.

It doesn't give you much protection from a rear impact though.

[bopoulos]

I enquired at the place I bought it and ARB,
Either way its exxy. I've blown my budget for now.