We're picking up our Toyota Coaster from NSW on Wednesday - can't wait.

Can anyone suggest a good company in Brisbane (preferably near Beenleigh Rum Distillery ) that can fit Towbars & Bullbars in one go?

The intention is to maybe purchase a cheap trailer & tow "stuff" to NW Queensland & then sell it (cheaper than a one-way RENTAL... go figure) - then just use the Towbar for MTB's using our existing Towbar Bike rack 

A few Q's too:

+ Steel or Aluminium Bullbar (I'm thinking STEEL at this stage for better protection, Aluminium for fuel savings [we're used to running a Hyundai Getz )

+ A friend suggested I get a Towbar including wrap-around uprights to protect the rear lights (you WILL hit something he said... now THERE's confidence!!!) - or is this just going to add $$$ & potentially punch the said upright protection into the rear & cause more issues? Do upright protection Towbars exist?

+ Is there any special requirement for the Towbar if in future we want to tow a 4x4 behind?

Hi 

Hmmm what is the bull bar protecting ??? Most are so flimsy that they just fold back onto the front panels and damage them. Or they were built by a boilermaker and add ballast that you do not need. Just drive around normally avoiding running into things. If you hit a roo or similar then fix the light and bend back the bumper bar. The same goes for the wrap around rear bars. IMHO. 

Jaahn

Personally I prefer Alloy, A good thick wall Alloy tube these days is pretty strong and lighter than steel. Not many steel bars on trucks who drive the K's on the highway. I just had a new bumper made after hitting a Roo which smashed my composite bumper and headlight. Spoke to a few Truckies who all advised me to get 10mm Plate bumper made.It would take a big hit from a Roo.

Happy with the result and around half the weight of the Steel version.

I have seen rear nudge bars on Coasters. Basically a tube from one side to the other on the back with an upright to protect the lights from a jackknifing trailer. If you intend Towing a small 4x4 behind your Coaster you basically have three choices.  Flat Tow, Gypsy Trailer or a full car trailer. Pro's and cons for each of them.

I used to flat tow a Suzuki Grand Vitara behind my MH and did so for about eight years. I used a Hitch-N-Go made in Yepoon Qld. Fitted in Bundaberg. I did take off the standard 50mm towball. (Not a fan of towballs). I fitted a MacHitch instead and if I was doing the same thing today I would fit the MacHitch Auto Coupler. Much easier to hitch up. Other hitches around with fans too.

Flat towing can restrict the vehicle you can tow, hence the manual 4x4 where you can put the gearbox and transfer case in neutral. Hitch-N-Go's website lets you know what vehicles you can flat tow.  Also unable to reverse with the car attached .

Another company here in Oz sell the American Sterling range which I am told are an excellent product. They are based in Lorne on the Great Ocean Road in Vic and are very helpful. Can be fitted at other places round the country same as the Hitch-N-Go.

Gypsy trailer, Has limitations as well on what you can tow. basically a manual car where you can put the gearbox in neutral. Lock the steering as well. Have to consider also having to play around with ramps and strapping the vehicle down. All things to consider. 

Finally a full blown car trailer. Same issues Ramps and straps. Does help if you have an electric winch though.

I am sure others will come and give their advice. Just do your research and pick what you feel comfortable with.

You will have to talk to the towbar fitters and work out what's the best option re the rating of your towbar and what you intend to tow behind. Have to take into account the weight of vehicle you can legally tow with your Coaster and brake options.

I went with the Flat tow because of weights.

No trailer to add on to the equation. The A Frame was around sixty five kilos. Lot less than the Gypsy Trailer and the car trailer. Only one extra rego instead of two.

Thanks for your comments Jaahn

Thanks for sharing Dougwe... not many places offer steel, so I'm guessing they would be custom made & therefore exe

Great stuff Yuglamron

I'm leaning toward Aluminum... can they add doubler plates behind 6mm plate work & inserts into the thinner walled tubing - or am I looking at custom build?

I've got a lot to think about towing a 4x4 - really appreciate you sharing your knowledge 

I realise my MH does not have a Bullbar on the front. I recently hit a Roo on the Newel Highway just South of Dubbo. Demolished the passenger side of my Composite Bumper. Took out the headlight as well.

To cut a long story short I found that Melbourne seems to be the place to get custom work done. Two lots in Brisbane would build a bar for me.One mob wanted to make a six inch wide bumper. Give me a better departure angle. Original was 350mm. The other one wanted 50% up front. Ended up going to a guy in Carrum Downs near Melbourne.

Took two and a half days and made from 10mm flat plates. Lots of reinforcing fillets on the back. I was considering getting it made with round bars but it would have interfered with the access doors on my MH. Oil filler etc. Stayed with the basics and refitted the nudge bar.

I could have added round bars to make it into a Bullbar/Bumper combined, but access to the front service doors would have made it difficult. BTW the photo of the bumper looks to have a bigger gap on one side. I can assure you that's just the photo it's dead straight. My only regret is not having Four Headlights fitted but maybe down the track. The headlights are an Ebay buy $220 the pair delivered. 7" LED with Daylight Running lights, High and Low Beam and indicators incorporated. Designed to replace the Jeep 7" lights. Will fit most 7" round fittings but obviously custom on the bumper. I will say the lights are just so much better than the original lights even with High Powered LED aftermarket Globes I had fitted.

A bit of hunting around on Gumtree etc may find you a second hand Coaster Bull bar with a bit of luck otherwise a custom job.

I had to go custom as it's the only FOCL MAN based MH in OZ.

Hope you get sorted out with something that suits.

Just out of curiosity I checked out Gumtree and this was the only one I found.

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/padstow/truck-parts/toyota-coaster-94-07-alloy-bull-bar-/1176508741