Tow bars

Tow bars in New Zealand: prices, towing limits and what to check

Updated 4 November 2026

A tow bar in New Zealand costs roughly NZ$67 to NZ$128 for a universal drop or ball-mount bar and NZ$425 to NZ$781 for a bar made for a specific vehicle, with heavy-duty kits from about NZ$1,305. For a price that matches your car, send a request on BlaBlaPrice and the AI will check local sellers' price lists using your make, model and year.

Legal towing limits and safety

On light vehicles a tow bar does not have to be rated and certified, but safety requirements still apply. Trailers over 750 kg must have brakes, and a standard licence allows a vehicle up to 4,500 kg GVM. Heavier connections such as drawbars and fifth wheels can need specialist certification. Flat towing has its own rules for safety cables, lighting and braking, so check them with the seller before you tow a car.

Warranty and tow ratings

Tow bar sellers state that a car fitted with a new towbar keeps its existing warranty. You still have to stay within the tow bar's certification and your vehicle's tow rating, so ask the seller to confirm both for your model and keep the fitting paperwork.

Season and timing

Summer runs from December to February, when many people tow caravans and boats on holiday. A fitting booked in November is finished before the holiday travel starts. Wet, cold weeks from June to August are harder for fitting outdoors, so ask the fitter whether the work is done under cover.

How tow bars are bought and fitted

Listings give ratings in kilograms, though one 4x4 listing quotes 7,800 lb, which is about 3,540 kg. Ask whether the quote includes the wiring and fitting, because a listed bar or kit price may not. Confirm that the bar and ball are rated for the load you tow, and check delivery to your city, whether that is Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton or Tauranga.

What to put in your request

Give the car make, model and year, the tow bar type you want (drop, ball mount or fixed), whether you need wiring, the towing load in kg, the manufacturer if you have one, your city and your budget. Say also whether you tow a caravan, a boat or a trailer.

Getting offers through BlaBlaPrice is free for buyers. Describe your car and what you tow in your own words in the chat, and add a photo if it helps. The AI asks for missing details, looks through local sellers' websites and price lists, and shows the prices and businesses it finds. Registered sellers receive your request and reply in the chat with their price, terms and fitting, while your contacts stay hidden. You can start with a request on the home page or browse car accessories.