Towbar brands compared: Witter, Westfalia, Brink and more
Reviewed by an experienced Leicester towbar fitter Last updated
The main UK towbar brands are Witter, Westfalia, Brink, PCT and TowTrust, with Bosal also common. The reassuring part: every reputable brand is type-approved and safe, so the real question is not "which is best" in the abstract, but which brand is approved for your exact vehicle and what your fitter recommends. In short: Witter is the solid British all-rounder, Westfalia is the German OEM premium choice, Brink (now Thule Towing Systems) is high-quality European and great with bike racks, and PCT and TowTrust are strong on value.
Here is how they compare and how to choose.
The main brands at a glance
| Brand | Origin | Known for | Rough price (bar only) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Witter | British | All-round quality and value, wide coverage | £150 to £400 |
| Westfalia | German | OEM premium, refined detachables | £300 to £600 |
| Brink (Thule) | Dutch (Thule Group) | High quality, bike-carrier integration | £200 to £500 |
| PCT Automotive | British | Value, wide range, fitter favourite | £100 to £300 |
| TowTrust | British | Value, widely fitted, often lifetime guarantee | £100 to £300 |
Fitted prices are higher than the bar alone; see the cost guide.
The brands in brief
Witter is British, established in the 1950s, with wide UK vehicle coverage, good value and strong technical support. Many bars carry a lifetime guarantee. It is the dependable all-rounder for most cars.
Westfalia is German and premium, an OEM supplier to VW, Audi, BMW and others. Its detachable systems are especially refined and it integrates neatly with the car, which is why it is often the choice for German vehicles under warranty. It costs more.
Brink, now part of the Swedish Thule Group and sold as Thule Towing Systems, is a high-quality Dutch maker with a strong detachable range and excellent integration with Thule bike carriers. It sits just below Westfalia on price. (Note: Brink is part of Thule, not Westfalia, despite what some older guides say.)
PCT Automotive and TowTrust are British value brands, widely fitted and popular with professional fitters, with solid coverage and, on many TowTrust bars, a lifetime guarantee. Bosal and a few other European makers round out the choice with good coverage.
How to actually choose
For most buyers the decision is simpler than it looks:
- Start with what is approved for your car. A towbar must be EC/EU type-approved for your specific vehicle, and that alone narrows the field. Sometimes only one or two brands are approved for a given model.
- Match the brand to the job. For a detachable or swan-neck bar on a premium car, Westfalia or Brink lead on refinement. For value on a mainstream car, Witter, PCT or TowTrust are excellent. For a bike-rack user, Brink/Thule integration is a plus.
- Trust your fitter's recommendation. Fitters stock the brands they trust for reliability and support, and that experience is worth listening to.
Are cheap or unbranded towbars safe?
Warning
Be wary of very cheap, unbranded bars sold online. Before buying any towbar, check it is EC/EU type-approved for your vehicle, that its D-value meets your towing needs, that it comes with proper fitting instructions, and that it works with a dedicated wiring kit. Saving £50 to £100 on the bar is a false economy on a safety-critical part.
Prices correct as of August 2026. Always confirm what is approved for your vehicle.
Frequently asked questions
They are all safe when type-approved, so there is no single best. Witter is the strong all-rounder, Westfalia the premium OEM choice, Brink high quality and good with bike racks, and PCT and TowTrust strong on value. The best brand for you is one approved for your car that your fitter recommends.
Witter offers British quality and value with wide coverage. Westfalia is a German OEM supplier with more refined detachables and neat integration, at a higher price, and is a common choice for German cars under warranty.
Yes. Brink is now part of the Swedish Thule Group (Thule Towing Systems), a high-quality European maker with a strong detachable range and excellent integration with Thule bike carriers.
Only if the bar is EC/EU type-approved for your vehicle, has the right D-value, and comes with proper instructions. Unapproved bargain bars are a false economy on a safety-critical part.
Partly. Your vehicle limits the choice to brands that are type-approved for it, and your fitter will usually recommend from those. Within that, you can weigh refinement, price and warranty.
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