Hitch. What to look for when choosing and installing?

Tow hooks are one of the most useful car accessories. Over the years, they have won the recognition of many car users with their many applications. However, not everyone knows what hooks consist of and what to keep in mind when deciding to install them.

There are several types of towbars on the market today: hooks with a removable ball, automatic unhooks, semi-automatic and retractable hooks. The first of these is a popular solution, in which the ball of the hook is attached to the body with mounting screws. The ball can be disassembled by unscrewing the bolts with a wrench.

A standard towbar consists of several connected components. Due to changes in the design of cars, including the chassis and mounting systems, it must be adapted to a specific car model. “The main structural element of the hook is the body, which includes: the main beam, mounting brackets and ball holders. The body of the hook is usually hidden behind a bumper, which often has to be cut out for the elements holding the ball. Beams do not have to be straight - they can be bent, especially at the two extreme ends. Their length ranges from a few tens of centimeters to almost two meters,” explains Mariusz Fornal, Head of Design at Steinhof.

The brackets that attach the kit to the car are important throughout the puzzle. Usually they are made of sheet metal 8-10 mm thick and are bolted. Most often they have a rectangular shape, but it depends on the needs and the availability of free space in the car. At the bottom of the beam, holders are welded to which the hook ball is attached.

The most characteristic part of the set is, of course, the ball. It is usually located in the center of the boom and allows you to tow a trailer. In addition to the above items, the manufacturer also includes an electrical outlet holder. It is made of plastic or plate and is screwed to the ball holder with the supplied screws. Due to the electrical harness, the socket must be able to light the trailer or even power the devices it contains, if any.

Be sure to remove the insulating mass or underbody protection (if any) at the points of contact between the components of the tow hook. The hook set is attached using screws and washers provided by the manufacturer. The kit also includes keys and a plug for removable balls. The assembly process must be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

It is worth saying a little more about the issue of trailer lighting. Two harnesses are available on the market: with a 7-pin connector and with a 13-pin connector. They are universal, universal with a module and designed for this model. The choice of harness depends on the type and complexity of the electrical system used in a given vehicle, what we want to tow or what rack or other accessories we want to install.

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On the hook we can pull a small trailer, the so-called light trailer (up to 750 kg), but also a caravan. The bike rack can also be mounted on the tow ball. We will successfully use the 7-pin harness on trailers up to 750kg GVW. This bundle transmits only the main light signals, i.e. direction, position, stop and fog lights, therefore, according to EU regulations, it can only be used for this type of trailer. Heavier trailers must have their own reversing light and this feature can only be provided with a 13-pin harness. Moreover, only she is able to serve, for example, a campsite equipped with a refrigerator, stove and a number of other devices that require constant power supply.

Depending on the complexity of the electronic system of a given vehicle model, an electronic control module is included with the harness. Not always required, but a towbar harness with a module is necessary for cars with: a CAN-bus control system (a kind of “OS”), Check Control lighting control (the computer informs the driver about burnt out bulbs) and parking sensors.

The hook can be installed in a garage if we can do it professionally. With the device installed, it is necessary to come to the service station to obtain a certificate of correct installation and compliance with the hook approval requirements. The diagnostician issues the appropriate document after a preliminary check: confirmation of purchase of the hook, nameplate on the hook, certificate of approval (on the nameplate), assembly instructions attached to the hook and correct assembly. After receiving the certificate, please contact the Department of Communications to obtain the appropriate entry in the registration certificate. What else is worth remembering in the context of using a car with a towbar installed?

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Check the bolted connections every time after driving approximately 1000 km, and if the nuts are loose, the bolts should be tightened to the appropriate torque. We must keep the ball clean. It is worth remembering that all mechanical damage to the towbar excludes its further operation.