Fixed flange
The traditional bolt-on towball. The strongest and most versatile option, with room to fit a bike carrier and tow at the same time.
Best for work vehicles, heavy trailers and frequent towing.
Norfolk’s friendly garage for towbars and car fittings
HMC Towbars is Horstead Motor Company, a local garage fitting towbars, cycle racks, parking sensors and reversing cameras for drivers across Norfolk. We sell good used cars too.
Move your cursor around and the car will follow it.
A Norfolk garage that knows towing
We supply and fit towbars for most makes and models, for private drivers and businesses. Whether you tow a caravan, a horsebox, a work trailer or just want somewhere to put the bikes, we’ll tell you what your car needs and fit it the same day.
Fitted in a few hoursWait with us or drop the car off and collect it later.
Type-approved towbarsEvery towbar we fit is legal for UK roads and fixed to the manufacturer’s mounting points.
Electrics testedLights, indicators and sockets are checked before you drive away.
Straight answersRing with your registration and we’ll tell you the options and the price.
What we do
Everything is fitted at our garage in Horstead, around 15 minutes from Norwich city centre.
- TowbarsFixed flange, swan neck and detachable towbars with 7 or 13-pin electrics.See towbars
- Cycle racksTowbar-mounted carriers for two, three or four bikes, including e-bikes.See cycle racks
- Parking sensorsFront and rear sensors, colour-matched to your bumper.See parking sensors
- Reversing camerasA clear view behind you, especially useful when hitching up.See cameras
- Car salesQuality used cars, and we buy cars too.See car sales
How it works
From first call to driving away, here’s what happens.
Tell us about your car
Call or send a message with your registration and what you want to tow or carry.
Get our advice and a price
We’ll recommend the right towbar and electrics for your car and give you a fixed price.
Book a fitting
Pick a day that suits you. Most jobs take a few hours, so you can wait or come back.
Drive away ready to tow
We test everything with you and show you how it works before you leave.
Our recommendations
Not sure what to ask for? Start here, then give us a call and we’ll confirm what suits your car.
- You tow a caravan
- A swan neck or detachable towbar with 13-pin dedicated electrics. It powers the caravan properly and lets the car’s safety systems know it’s towing.
- You only carry bikes
- A detachable towbar with a towbar-mounted cycle rack. Easier than lifting bikes onto the roof, and the towbar comes off when you don’t need it.
- Your car has parking sensors
- Go detachable. With the neck removed, the back of the car looks standard and the sensors won’t mistake the towball for an obstacle.
- You tow for work or heavy loads
- A fixed flange towbar. It’s the strongest option and lets you fit a bike carrier and tow a trailer at the same time.
- You struggle to see when reversing
- A reversing camera makes lining up the towball with a trailer a one-person job.
Have your registration handy?
Call and we’ll tell you exactly what fits your car and what it costs.
01603 736673
Mon to Fri 8am to 5pm.
Sat 8am to 2pm: office only for enquiries, quotes and bookings. No fitting on Saturdays.
Home / Towbars
Towbar fitting in Norwich and Norfolk
We supply and fit type-approved towbars for most cars, 4x4s and vans at our garage in Horstead. Tell us your registration and we’ll find the right towbar and wiring for your car.
Which towbar is right for you?
There are three main types. Each one does the job; the difference is how it looks, what it can carry and how often you tow.
Fixed swan neck
A slim, curved neck that looks neater than a flange and works with stabilisers such as AL-KO hitches.
Best for regular caravan towing.
Detachable
The neck unlocks and stores in the boot, so the back of the car looks standard when you’re not towing.
Best for occasional towing, bike racks and cars with parking sensors.
Towbar electrics
13-pin is the standard for modern caravans and trailers. It runs the road lights and can also power the caravan’s fridge and charge its battery. 7-pin suits older trailers and some cycle carriers. Adaptors are available either way.
Dedicated wiring is made for your exact car. It talks to the car’s computer, so features like trailer stability control, bulb-failure warnings and turning off the rear parking sensors work as they should. Some cars also need the towing function switching on, which we can do.
Universal wiring is a good value option for older cars without these systems.
- Type-approved towbars, a legal requirement for cars first registered after 1 August 1998
- Fitted to the manufacturer’s mounting points
- Every light and socket tested before you leave
Towbar prices
Prices include fitting. The exact price depends on your car, so call with your registration for a firm quote.
| Towbar | Fitted from |
|---|---|
| Fixed flange towbarWith 7 or 13-pin electrics | |
| Fixed swan neck towbarWith 13-pin electrics | |
| Detachable towbarWith 13-pin electrics | |
| Upgrade to dedicated wiringVehicle-specific electrics |
Prices include VAT and fitting at our Horstead garage.
Prices for popular cars we have fitted
Explore our fitted prices for popular cars and vans. Get in touch with your registration to confirm the right towbar and wiring for your vehicle.
Audi A4 / Estate
£425Find out more or book in
Audi A3
£425Find out more or book in
Citroën C3 / C4
£425Find out more or book in
Ford Transit
£425Find out more or book in
Ford Transit (dedicated wiring)
£525Find out more or book in
Ford Mondeo / Estate
£425Find out more or book in
Ford Focus
£395Find out more or book in
Ford S-Max / Galaxy
£425Find out more or book in
Ford Kuga
£445Find out more or book in
Mercedes V-Class
£445Find out more or book in
Nissan Qashqai
£445Find out more or book in
Nissan X-Trail
£445Find out more or book in
Nissan Juke (detachable)
£495Find out more or book in
Peugeot 3008
£445Find out more or book in
Renault Mégane / Scénic
£425Find out more or book in
Land Rover Freelander
£425Find out more or book in
Land Rover Evoque (detachable)
£525Find out more or book in
Saab 9-3 / 9-5
£395Find out more or book in
Vauxhall Astra
£425Find out more or book in
Vauxhall Zafira
£425Find out more or book in
Vauxhall Insignia
£425Find out more or book in
Vauxhall Vivaro
£425Find out more or book in
Volkswagen T4 / T5 / T6
£395Find out more or book in
Volkswagen Passat
£445Find out more or book in
Volvo V70 Estate
£425Find out more or book in
Prices include VAT and fitting. Your final quote depends on your vehicle and wiring requirements.
What to do while we fit?
All fittings must be booked in advance. Please call us to arrange an appointment before visiting, as we cannot accommodate walk-in fittings.
Fitting can take up to 4 hours. When you arrive for your booked appointment, we’ll let you know how long we expect it to take so you can plan your time. Here are some local recommendations for things to do while you wait.
Image to come
Recruiting Sargeant
5 min walk from us
A gem of Norfolk providing the most delicious and generous meals, open from 12pm and serving all afternoon and evening. We highly recommend the ribs!
Image to come
Horstead Mill
5 min walk from us
A historical place for a walk and wonder where the Horstead Mill used to stand before burning down in January 1963. A great place to fish if that’s your thing too.
Image to come
A Piece of Cake
10 min walk from us
A lovely little cafe serving hot and cold lunches with cake too. A relaxing spot and great local people. If a large plate isn’t needed, then a walk over the bridge and this is for you.
Image to come
The Bus Stop back to Norwich
5 second walk from us
Right outside the garage. Back into Norwich in 15 minutes on the bus, and you can come back to us on the same bus when you’re ready, with Norwich City on your doorstep.
Towbar questions
How long does a towbar fitting take?
Most fittings take a few hours. You can wait with us or drop the car off and collect it later the same day.
Do I need 7-pin or 13-pin electrics?
13-pin is the standard for modern caravans and trailers. 7-pin suits older trailers and some cycle carriers. If you’re not sure, tell us what you tow and we’ll advise.
Will a towbar affect my car’s warranty?
We fit type-approved towbars to the manufacturer’s mounting points, which shouldn’t affect your warranty. If you’re unsure, check your handbook or ask us.
Can I fit a cycle rack to a detachable towbar?
Yes, most towball-mounted cycle carriers fit a detachable towbar. We’ll check the weight limit for your car before you buy.
Do you fit towbars to vans and motorhomes?
We fit towbars to most vehicles, including vans and 4x4s. Call with your registration and we’ll confirm.
Book your towbar fitting
Call with your registration for a quote and to book your appointment. All fittings must be booked in advance; we cannot accommodate walk-in fittings.
01603 736673
Green Lane, Horstead, Norwich NR12 7EL
Home / Cycle racks
Cycle racks for Norfolk riders
We supply and fit towbar-mounted cycle racks for casual and serious riders, whether you carry one bike or four. No lifting bikes onto the roof, and no scratches on the boot.
Why a towbar-mounted rack?
- Bikes sit at waist height, so loading is easy, even with heavier e-bikes
- Most racks tilt away so you can still open the boot
- Built-in lights and a number plate board keep you road legal
- Lockable to the towbar, with locks for each bike
- Less wind noise and better fuel economy than a roof rack
No towbar yet? We can fit a detachable towbar and cycle rack together, so the back of the car looks standard when the bikes are off.
Cycle rack prices
| Rack | From |
|---|---|
| Two-bike towbar rackTilting, with lights | |
| Three-bike towbar rackTilting, with lights | |
| Four-bike towbar rackTilting, with lights | |
| E-bike rackHigher load rating and ramp |
Check your car’s towball nose weight before choosing a rack. We’ll do this for you.
Home / Parking sensors
Parking sensors and reversing cameras
Park with confidence. We fit front and rear parking sensors and reversing cameras to most cars and vans at our garage near Norwich.
Parking sensors
Small sensors set flush into the bumper beep faster as you get closer to an obstacle. We can colour-match them to your paintwork so they look factory fitted.
- Rear sensors, front sensors, or both
- Audible warning, with display options
- Usually fitted the same day
Reversing cameras
See exactly what’s behind you on a screen or a mirror display. Especially handy for vans, larger cars and lining up a towball with a trailer.
- Clear image day and night
- Mirror or dash-mounted screens
- Guide lines to help judge distance
Prices
Parking sensors for your rear bumper from £199.
| Option | Fitted from |
|---|---|
| Rear parking sensorsFour sensors with audible warning | |
| Front parking sensors | |
| Colour-matched sensorsPainted to match your bumper | |
| Reversing cameraWith screen |
Already have sensors and want a towbar? Ask about dedicated wiring, which switches the rear sensors off automatically when you plug a trailer in.
Home / Car sales
Used cars in Horstead, near Norwich
As well as fitting, we buy and sell quality used cars. Our stock changes regularly, so call or message to see what’s on the forecourt now.
Buying from us
- Cars checked over by our own team before they go on sale
- Ask about having a towbar, cycle rack or parking sensors fitted before you collect
- Come and see the car at our garage on Green Lane, Horstead
Selling your car?
We buy cars too. Tell us the make, model, mileage and registration and we’ll get back to you with an offer.
Contact UsHome / Contact
Get in touch
The quickest way to get a price is to call with your registration. You can also send us a message and we’ll get back to you.
Saturdays, 8am to 2pm, are office hours only for enquiries, quotes and booking in work. No fitting is available on Saturdays.
Call us
01603 736673Email us
horsteadmotorco@hotmail.co.ukFind us
HMC TowbarsGreen Lane Garage, 1 Green Lane
Horstead, Norwich
NR12 7EL
In Horstead near Coltishall, around 15 minutes north of Norwich city centre.
Opening hours
| Monday | 8am to 5pm |
| Tuesday | 8am to 5pm |
| Wednesday | 8am to 5pm |
| Thursday | 8am to 5pm |
| Friday | 8am to 5pm |
| Saturday | 8am to 2pm Office only |
| Sunday | Closed |
No fitting on Saturdays. Our Saturday office hours are for enquiries, quotes and booking in work only.
Areas we cover
Customers come to us from across Norfolk, including:
- Norwich
- Horstead
- Coltishall
- Wroxham
- Hoveton
- North Walsham
- Aylsham
- Spixworth
- Sprowston
- Rackheath
- Hevingham
- Great Yarmouth
Home / Privacy policy
Privacy policy
Horstead Motor Company (HMC Towbars) only uses the details you send us to reply to your enquiry and arrange your booking. We don’t sell or share your details with anyone else.
This website doesn’t use advertising or tracking cookies. To ask about the information we hold about you, or to have it deleted, call us on 01603 736673.