Choosing a towbar - a collection of knowledge
However, there are many solutions that can improve the functionality of our car after purchasing it. One of the easiest ways to increase this parameter is to purchase and install a towbar that can perform various functions - not just towing. What should you pay attention to when choosing your first hitch?
Even though the summer travel season is over, the benefits of having a tow hitch on your vehicle continue all year round. The hook is used by people looking for a way to transport sports equipment, transport horses or large cargo. In several points we will show you how to choose a product that suits your needs and the capabilities of your car.
The quality of driving with a trailer is affected by both the towbar and the corresponding vehicle parameters. Caravan holidaymakers or people using transport trailers for professional reasons will consider all the features that determine whether it is suitable for towing other vehicles before purchasing a vehicle. Such a car is characterized by stable movement at high speeds, a relatively short braking distance, the ability to accelerate with additional load and trouble-free starting on an incline.
Each year, Thetowcarawards.com presents the results of tests of the passenger cars best suited to drive different types of trailers. They are divided by trailer weight (up to 750 kg, 1200 kg, 1500 kg and over 1500 kg) - the car of the year is chosen from the winners of all nominations. Using the advice of experts, remember that for the safe movement of a road train, the weight of the trailer should not exceed 85% of the dead weight of the vehicle pulling it. When searching for a suitable product, you should also pay attention to the vehicle approval provided by the manufacturer. For example, city cars and some hybrid vehicles are not allowed to tow trailers. However, in vehicles of this type there are no contraindications to the installation of a special RMC towbar designed exclusively for bicycle racks. The balls of this type of hook have an additional element that prevents the trailer tongue from attaching.
New users of towbars, when starting to look for a suitable product, usually do not know what parameters to pay attention to first. Many people focus mainly on price and brand. Analyzing the offers of numerous domestic and foreign manufacturers, you should check the maximum traction capacity of the coupling device and its maximum vertical load. The first parameter indicates the maximum weight of the trailer towed by the vehicle. The maximum vertical load and towing capacity are the values set by the vehicle manufacturer and depend on its dimensions and design solutions used in the vehicle. Taking into account both the above and the future use of the towbar, you can choose a suitable product based on price and functionality. It is important whether we want to purchase a hook with the ability to quickly detach the ball without using additional tools or whether we decide on a permanent solution.
Over the years, the towbar market has evolved, adapting to the needs of car owners. Today there are many different models of this equipment. Depending on your preferences, vehicle parameters and financial capabilities, you can choose a screw-on hook (with two screws), a removable hook (vertical or horizontal) or a hook that hides under the car bumper. For small city cars and hybrid vehicles, manufacturers have released special bike hitches that are the only such solution available on the market (an example is Brink's RMC hitch).
Fixed hook (photo: Brink Polska)
A screw-on hitch is the best solution for people who frequently use different types of trailers. It is also the cheapest solution available on the market. Unfortunately, this type of tow bar is not suitable for every car model. In some cars, it may obscure the license plate or fog lights, which is tantamount to breaking the rules. In such a situation, manufacturers recommend a model with a removable ball linkage or one that hides under the bumper. These are more expensive solutions, but they have many advantages.
Both horizontally removable and vertically removable hook are available in the market. The most important difference between these mechanisms is the tilt of the ball joint. For vertically removable hooks, this part of the hook is located entirely under the bumper. With the ball joint disconnected, it is impossible to notice that the vehicle has a towing system installed. This solution provides an aesthetic appearance of the car. Unfortunately, it has one drawback - not every hook with a vertical dovetail system is suitable for carrying a bike rack. Most often this applies to small cars. In the case of a horizontal mechanism, the ball socket is visible, which makes attaching the ball even more convenient.
Robert Lichocki, Sales Director of Brink Group in Poland, says:
Regardless of the mechanism, removable hooks are durable, safe and easy to use. With two simple movements, releasing the ball from its socket, you can effortlessly detach the protruding element of the hitch and transport it safely in your car. Just gently push and turn the lever. No additional tools, force or need to crawl under the car is required. Attaching the ball is even faster and easier. Just place the item in the slot and click on it.
In addition, a two-stage latch system and an additional lock prevent uncontrolled release of the ball hitch when using the tow bar. People who value the comfort of using a towbar above all else should think about purchasing a towbar that hides under the car bumper. This is the most advanced and most expensive solution available on the market. In this type of hitch, when the trailer is not pulled, the ball is not released, but is hidden under the bumper of the car. All you have to do is press the button and push the ball into the designated spot in the bumper.
Removable hook (photo: Brink Polska)
Regardless of the hitch model you choose, it is important that the product bears a nameplate that confirms the hitch's tolerances. The label also contains information about the maximum towing capacity and vertical load of the ball joint.
After selecting and purchasing a tow hitch model, it’s time to install it. Many users of online groups often wonder about the possibility of installing a towbar and electrical wiring themselves. For the convenience and safety of moving a set of cars, it is recommended to use the services of professional points specializing in the installation of towbars. Although each product comes with an instruction manual and a complete installation kit (wiring must be purchased separately), installing the hitch correctly with today's vehicle electronics can be a challenge.
The choice of electrical wiring also depends on what the towbar will be used for. Manufacturers offer universal and specialized seven- and thirteen-pole harnesses. The choice between a seven-pole or thirteen-pole harness depends on what the hitch will be used for. A thirteen-pole electrical harness is necessary when towing a dacha - it provides power to all main and reversing lights, electrical equipment and allows you to charge its battery. For light trailers and bike racks, a seven-pole seat belt is sufficient. Investing more money in a custom wiring harness can be a good choice as it provides greater safety and comfort when driving a group of vehicles. This type of seat belt is created in collaboration with towbar and vehicle manufacturers to ensure ease of installation and use. Choosing a special harness may also be the right choice due to the increasingly modern software of on-board computers, which is responsible for the correct operation of additional functions in the car (for example, reverse sensors). Vehicle stability control is also increasingly used. It is responsible for detecting instability in the trailer's path. By activating the inertia brake, it restores the smooth running of the trailer and prevents the so-called contraction of the trailer, which can lead to the overturning of both the trailer and the vehicle pulling it.
Regardless of whether we decide to install the towbar in a professional workshop or do it ourselves, it is necessary to legalize the towbar, and this means making a note about the presence of the towbar on the vehicle registration certificate. We make an entry in the technical passport in the transport department after visiting a technical inspection station and successfully passing technical tests, as evidenced by the received certificate. When filling out an annotation, the following documents are required: a vehicle registration certificate, a vehicle card, if issued, a certificate from a vehicle technical inspection point, an identity card, and, if necessary, also a power of attorney for the specified person, a document confirming liability insurance1.
RMC hook from Brink (Photo: Brink Polska)
Although a tow bar is largely associated with an item necessary for towing caravans during the summer season, it must not be forgotten that it is often useful outside the holiday season. Transporting building materials, furniture and other large cargo will no longer be a problem. Knowing the main types of towbars, their advantages and disadvantages, and our responsibilities once a towbar is installed will make the process of purchasing and subsequently using a towbar easier.
