There is a massive choice of towbars designed for caravans out there. Picking the right one for you to achieve the perfect link between a tow car and a touring caravan. Cars these days are so complex in design that the days of buying a towbar ‘off the shelf’ and bolting to the back of your tow car are over.
Towbar Types
Towbars broadly fall into two categories: swan neck and bolt-on ball.
Swan Neck
The swan neck tow ball is integral to the rearward-projecting part of the towbar. It may be bolted or welded to the main structure of the towbar.
Lots of caravan users are opting for the detachable towbar, where this rear section including the tow ball can be readily removed without the use of additional tools so that the clean lines of the rear of the car can be preserved when it is not towing.
Bolt-on Ball
The bolt-on ball is the traditional form of towbar used in the UK and remains popular with caravanners with accessories such as cycle carriers.
Towball height
All towbars should set the ball at the correct height.
Make sure that the centre of the tow ball is between 350mm and 420mm from the ground (when the towing vehicle is fully laden to its gross vehicle weight). This is a legal requirement, so we advise you double check.
When choosing a towbar for a 4X4 vehicle, make sure that it is either a fixed-height bar similar in height to those made for normal cars, or a height-adjustable bar which can be set to an appropriate level for on-road towing or off-road driving.
Height of coupling device
For optimum stability, the caravan should be level or slightly nose down when hitched and static, and not above level when being towed.
UNECE Regulation 55
UNECE Regulation 55, requires the centre of the tow ball when the towing vehicle is fully laden to its gross vehicle weight to be between 350mm and 420mm from the centre of the tow ball to the ground.
Noseweight
This is the downward weight the caravan exerts on the back of the towing vehicle when stationary. This is recommended as 7% of the actual laden weight of the caravan. This is set by manufacturers at 50 to 80kg, though bigger cars and many 4x4s may offer 100 kilograms or more. We've created a guide on noseweights for anyone who'd like further information on what a noseweight is.
Towball horizontal clearance
Make sure you leave at least 65mm clearance between the tow ball centre and the nearest vertical part of the vehicle body. This will ensure you meet the EC Directive Regulation 55 (above), this requirement does not apply to off-road vehicles.
So, if you need to get cracking and start towing, why not call the Bowers team on 01782 590 700 or email enquiries@bowersautoparts.net