07 Odyssey Tow Bar Difficulty

[noqpid]

Hi Guys,

I'm new to the forum as I recently purchased an 07 Odyssey Luxury...Black Amethyst with the black interior. Love the colour, love the car.

I've tried the search function for help with no luck...
I need a tow bar.
Honda have given me prices up to nearly $1000 supply and fit...different dealers here in Victoria have given me different prices...
Supply only is $477.

A local towbar guy can do supply and fit for $390.

So that's a no brainer for me...go with the local guy.

Problem is I need it before the 4th of Jan...I know it's late but I've been on this for nearly 2 weeks with no luck.

The local guy can't source one.

So I thought I'd install one myself...so I lowered the exhaust and removed the heat shield to get to the chassis...but there are no pre-drilled holes with welded bolts on them.

I'd searched on the Net for info and the best I could find was the USA model and instructions on how to fit. For them it's an hour job complete. They have pre-drilled holes. A pretty easy DIY.

I previously had a Holden Jackaroo. I wanted the side steps and holden quoted me 3 hours labour to fit them. I bought them myself and installed them in about half an hour as all the holes were pre-drilled with bolts welded to the back to secure. Saved myself a fortune. Japanese made car though...I guess I thought the Honda would be the same.

I love the car, but this is the first time I've been dissapointed with it. Honda say it's a 3.5 hour job to fit the tow bar as they have to drill the holes...this is at $110 an hour.

I'm not confident to drill the holes and manage to secure a bolt on the back inside the chassis...looking at it I don't think I could get my drill into where it needs to go.

So in the end I'll have to take my other car away on holidays this year and wait for the local guy to source a tow bar and go with the $390 option.

[6thgear]

first of all congrats on your buy mate, sounds like a nice ride!

you tend to pay a premium when you want things quickly...if you really must need the towbar asap, why dont you purchase the towbar from honda and get the local guy to install? although im assuming this local guy has had prior experience in installing towbars...is he a specialist?

[noqpid]

Yeah thanks for that 6thgear...it's my fault for leaving it till the xmas silly season...I'm resigned to the fact that I'll wait till after these holidays, just thought I'd share the experience. Money at this time of year is too precious...

The car is great thou, as is this forum...I've now got a small bug for some small mods the wife wont really notice...especially like the folding key...the double din stereo/gps...the reverse camera...well she might notice them, but shouldn't complain I hope...

[noqpid]

Had tow bar fitted by Greensborough Tow Bars...$400 all inclusive. Big thumbs up to the guy there who went out his way to help me out, and it's over half the price of the dealer price for the exact same Hayman Reece item.

[6thgear]

bargain mate and another congrats! try not to tow too heavy a load though! the poor ody aint no truck!

[Naden]

Had tow bar fitted by Greensborough Tow Bars...$400 all inclusive. Big thumbs up to the guy there who went out his way to help me out, and it's over half the price of the dealer price for the exact same Hayman Reece item.

Hi noqpid,

Thanks for the referal mate.
Talk to Ben from Greensborough Tow Bar.... he quoted me $550... Now, tell me pls, how long ago had you have your 1 done?

Mentioned you( and ur quote here) to him, he can make it cheaper in order that I can tell him ur name for referal purposes and future discount to you.

Do you mind? Please email me
Thanking you in advance
Cheers

[noqpid]

Hi Naden,

I had it fitted back in Feb 2010. I don't know if prices have gone up since then...everything else has so I guess why not tow bars.

I had the guy at Greensborough tow bars fit one on the Oddy in Feb 2010, and one on a white Mazda 626 in Dec 2008.

Couldn't be happier with the job and the price - I still have both cars and no probs with either (ie the wiring).

I live in Briar Hill if that helps jog his memory about me. My name is Craig in case he has that good a memory.

I wish you the best of luck. Hope it pans out wll for you as it did for me.