Towbars for Auto-Sleepers

Watling Towbars for Auto-Sleepers / Marquis Group Motorhomes

In conjunction with Auto Sleepers, one of the UKs premiere motorhome manufacturers, we have produced a range of towbars specific to individual vehicles.
These cover both past and present models, ranging from the early Peugeot Talbot based vans and chassis cab conversions, to the most modern Mercedes, Ford and Peugeot based coachbuilt vehicles.

More information here: http://www.watling-towbars.co.uk/autosleeper_motorhome_towbars.html



Thought this may prove useful for one or two members.

Admin.

Every AS except the Clubman..............

Does any Clubman owner have any pics of their towbar so I can make one - I tried MHF but with little success...................

dandywarhol wrote:Every AS except the Clubman..............

Good point Alan.

I never noticed the Clubman wasn't on the list, might be worth sending an email asking why? Could just be an omission on the site or perhaps there is another reason?

I spoke to a few towbar manufacturers about the Clubman - they all wanted the vehicle at their factory because they couldn't guarantee the fit on an extended chassis like the Clubman ....................and I go on about AS build quality BEHIND the facades

Alan,

We contacted Watling by email earlier on regarding the non listing of the Clubman and got this response back from them a short while ago.







Dear Sir,

Thank you for your enquiry, and the link. the Clubman is, I think, built on the VWT4 chassis and it is something that I know we have had here in our workshops before. Unfortunately though we have never produced a pattern for it as at the time of its production there was almost no uniformity in the construction of motorhomes, and we saw very few exactly the same. Now, we may be doing Auto-Sleeper a disservice here, but nevertheless, it was a decision taken at the time not to produce a pattern for them. We are happy to make bespoke towbars on a one off basis for customers who wish to come and visit us, but I cannot offer a stock item at the moment.

I hope your members find our listing helpful in the future, and if you have any further questions, please do get in touch.



As an aside, we deal with the Auto-Sleepers service centre on a regular basis and they are fully aware of our current range of towbars.





Kind Regards,



Ben Babcock



Watling Engineers Ltd.

88 Park Street Village

St. Albans

Herts

AL2 2LR



Tel: +44 (0)1727 873661

Fax: +44 (0)1727 875029

www.watling-towbars.co.uk

I wasn't far off eh?

How can a company build a motorhome that isn't of consistent build quality - they've made hundreds of them on the T4 chassis???? Hmmmmm

What is the actual reason for not making one for the Clubman?

It cant be because it's a T4 model, as they have others like Trident / Trooper / Topaz listed? is it because the chassis is extended or because of limitations of the monocoque body or something?

Extended chassis based on the T4 chassis cab - aluminium extrusions come back from the chassis to support the back end - seems it'd kinda put together without consistancy - I've tried several towbar companies and they've all come up with the same line - yet I've seen more for sale with towbars than without...........

Must admit to having watched this thread. To my knowledge I have never seen one of their towbars. Up Norf here "Towtal" seem to have the monopoly and I certainly had a Towtal bracket on our Executive from new.

It is a shame that there isn't a towbar for the Broadway. I haven't found anyone who makes one. Is there a fundamental problem with the Broadway that prevents the use of a towbar?
Thanks
John

I wondered about that, considering that I thought that it was based on an earlier model. One reason that I got the Crown edition is that (apart from the big payload and 3.0 litre engine all for the same price as a standard Broadway) it is on an Al-Ko chassis which apart from giving a better ride, is also suitable for towing (1500kg). I would suspect that the fact that A/S don't recommend towing with the standard Broadway may be something to do with either payload or rear axle weight when the tow bar is loaded down.......

Perhaps Watling could throw some light on this - they were very helpful when I enquired about mine but wanted to see the van if I required a full across the back bar rather than a discreet one

Hope that helps

Regarding the Broadway Towbar - Have you contacted Towtal, a chap I know has a Broadway, sure its got a towbar on it and he always uses Towtal for towbars and air suspension aids

Got my towbar from G A Commercials. These guys are local to me in Hankham, near Eastbourne. I had similar problem due to the rear overhang on the Executive.
It was a pricey job but is rock solid, (unlike the nice stainless steel rear step/towbar that was originally on the van when I bought it), and can now pull 1500kgs.
So Electric bikes on rear rack & or double boat trailer no problems

Sounds like a good solution. I think that I'll pay a visit to Watling when I need one fitted as they are recommended for the Al-Ko chassis (other service providers are available.......). One thing, a friend down the road had a towbar and A frame fitted to his Hymer by Armitages and after less than 6 months the whole thing is going rusty. I wasn't impressed at all. I think he is taking it back to be properly treated. I hope that sort of workmanship is a "one off" as I thought that they generally had a good reputation