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Towbar Faq

What do I have to take into account when buying a towbar?

Towbars specially designed for most models of cars are available from our range.
Make sure that you have all the necessary details about your car ready to hand such as: the correct model, the type (saloon, hatchback, or estate) and the build year. In a number of cases you can choose between a towbar with fixed or flanged towball and one with a detachable towball.

If the towball obscures of the licence plate then the customer should choose a detachable model if the towbar is used a lot.
This is because if the towball obscures the licence plate it must be removed when not towing.

The towball which is fitted to a car must not block the position or the visibility of the rear licence plate otherwise a special coupling which can be removed without the need for any special tools must be fitted.





Can you supply a towbar for every car?


No, there are no towbars available for a few models such as the Ford Ka, the Daewoo Matiz and the Ford Puma and some cars imported from outside Europe.

The towball which is fitted to a car must not block the position or the visibility of the rear licence plate otherwise a special detachable towball which can be removed without the need for any special tools must be fitted.



Are towbars available for cars imported from outside Europe?

Some vehicles can be fitted with a towbar although Imported vehicles often have different fixing points and larger bumpers please contact us with the vehicle details & VIN number.



What height should the towball be?

The EC Directive 94/20/EC states that the towball height should be between 350 and 420mm with the vehicle in the ‘laden’ condition. Laden condition may have been defined (by the manufacturer) as either fully laden (the maximum technically permitted mass of the vehicle as shown in the vehicle handbook), or, conventionally laden (defined as 68.5kg per specified passenger seat and 6.5kg of luggage per specified passenger and located in the centre of the luggage storage area).

Alternatively, the towball may be at the height or height range specified by the vehicle manufacturer in the homologation documents and possibly the vehicle handbook.


How do you measure towball height?

The towball height is measured as the vertical distance between the ground and the centre of the towball. This must be measured on flat and level ground – most surfaces are far from level! Also, the laden condition of the vehicle must be known. (Note; In the case of “coupling height”, this is the position of the centre of the towball location when within the coupling head).


What is the correct distance between the towball and the bumper?

The legally required minimum distance between the centre of the towball and the bumper is 6.5 cm. Greater distances are also possible.


My towball is too low. What can I do?

Maybe the towball is in the correct height range and the trailer coupling height is incorrect. For some reason, this is automatically assumed to be the ‘fault’ of the vehicle/towbar – measure and check!

Unless there is a grounding or stability problem there is no technical reason to do anything.

However if it is necessary, then in the case of an EC type approved towbar the options are:

- Use a different towball location (some vehicles have two or more different towball fixing heights).
- Check the vehicle suspension. This can wear and settle over time.
- Are spring assisters or suspension changes or adjustments possible?
- Modifying the trailer coupling height should be considered.
- If the issue is the jockey wheel grounding, can this be repositioned?
- Does the vehicle have sports’ suspension, often 15-50mm lower than standard models? Check against the chassis number with the Dealer.

My towball is too high. What can I do?

As in the previous question, it may just be the trailer/caravan that is non-compliant – measure and check! Similarly, in the case of EC type approved towbars there are limits as to what can be changed. Options include:

- Use a different towball location (some vehicles have two or more different towball fixing heights).
- Possibly use a drop plate (some towbars are tested and EC type approved for use with drop plates – check the towbar installation instructions).
- Alternatively, if it is a commercial vehicle it is currently not mandatory to have an EC compliant towbar and it may be possible to use a drop plate (always check with the towbar manufacturer).

Can I use a ‘raiser plate’ to increase the towball height?

No! To do so could significantly increase the leverage on the towbar/towball interface, and could result in damage or failure of one of the towing system components. It would also almost certainly invalidate the EC approval of the towbar.

There are very few instances where a raiser plate can be used. Also these must be with written permission of the towbar manufacturer and use is usually limited to special applications where a pin and jaw (not towball), is raised to the same position as the towball.

Other questions

If your questions have not been answered on the site please contact our after sales department who will be able to answer all your questions about towbars, wiring kits and fitting.

Telephone: +44 (0)1254 232808

E-mail: customercare@advancedtowing.co.uk
 


 
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