Towing hooks - AvtoTachki

Before we decide to buy a towbar, let's think about what type would be most useful to us and what would be the best fit for our car ...

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Before we decide to buy a towbar, let's think about what type will be most useful to us and what will be the best fit for our car.

Towing hooks A tow hitch can come in handy when a friend calls us and asks us to tow his damaged car to the garage. It is equally indispensable for both caravanning enthusiasts and people who often transport equipment or materials in a trailer. In order for the towbar to perform its task well, it must be correctly selected for a specific car model.

Tow hooks sometimes show up at auto parts stores. The range is usually brought under a specific customer order. There is a much larger choice in workshops and companies specializing in the assembly of this type of equipment.

There are three types of tow ropes. The oldest type is the hook, which is permanently attached to the vehicle. It cannot be dismantled independently and therefore it is not very popular. In addition, it does not meet EU standards and there are problems with entering the EU countries on a car with such a towbar.

European

Drivers prefer new types of hooks that can be easily removed. There are hooks fixed with several screws and with an automatic release system. In the latter, with the help of a special ratchet system, the very tip of the hook can be detached within a few seconds. Collapsible hooks comply with European standards.

Owners of more luxurious vehicles usually opt to install self-timer hooks. They are the most convenient to use, but unfortunately a bit more expensive. Many people install hooks in their cars, which are screwed on with special screws. They can also be quickly disassembled and installed, but for this you need to use the appropriate key.

The price, of course, speaks in favor of choosing this type of equipment, since such hooks are almost two times cheaper than automatic ones. Currently, almost all manufactured cars have original holes for attaching tow hooks.

What could he take

When choosing a towbar for our car, its maximum carrying capacity, called tonnage, is also important. Each hook must have a specific recommendation for the weight it can support. The generally accepted rule is that the weight of the towbar must not exceed the total weight of the vehicle on which it is installed. If we buy a removable towbar, it should be carried in the trunk of a car, and not installed permanently. True, some say that the hitch protects the car in the event of an impact, but remember that in this case, the protruding hook does much more harm to the car that drove into us. So let's not expose others to unnecessary losses.

Certificate required

“In order for the tow bar not to pose a threat to car users, it must have a special certificate issued by PIMot in Warsaw,” explains Krzysztof Flisinski, owner of Euro-Hak. – The nameplate of the hook must indicate the manufacturer, the date of manufacture and, most importantly, the permissible tonnage. Have the hitch installed by a specialist workshop.

“I strongly advise against assembling such equipment yourself,” says Flisinski. – To properly tighten a hook fitting, you will need the right tools to obtain the required bolt torque and power. With a regular car key, we can't do it right.

Once every few years, it is also necessary to check at the service center whether the hook has loosened. If we are traveling long distances with a trailer, the inspection should be done more frequently.

Estimated prices for towbars