Thread: Disappointed with Towbar

Originally Posted by LandyAndy

Have you looked at extended tow balls???? Something like this????

Tow Ball high rise 50mm 2" lift 1800kg Caravan Trailer towbar raise towball L2i

Andrew

Thanks Andrew... no I didn't know they existed. That would solve the height issue but unfortunately I need to be further back also. The bumper bar is going to get knocked by the ball release handle in tight turns and ramp angle changes otherwise.

I just can't believe it's such a problem... a towbar should be behind the vehicle not under it...

I find it difficult to accept the stuff about legalities of welding a trailer; how do they think the things are built? The coupling on your trailer is bolted to a plate that is welded to another plate that is welded to the SHS that is presumably welded to the trailer frame...
Also the gross weight of your trailer is relatively small and would fit into the category here in Vic where regulations are scant, essentially it is the trailer builder's responsibility to make sure the thing is safe and how that happens is up to them. Having built and registered 2 trailers, it's surprising how unregulated it is.

Another possibility to solve the height problem occurred to me, you could bolt the coupling inside the square tube. This would drop it by around 110mm. If it won't fit, find another type that does. A piece of 100x10mm plate underneath to spread the bolt load.

Originally Posted by Walruslike

That would solve the height issue but unfortunately I need to be further back also. The bumper bar is going to get knocked by the ball release handle in tight turns and ramp angle changes otherwise.

I just can't believe it's such a problem... a towbar should be behind the vehicle not under it...

It sounds like the whole towbar setup is not fit for purpose. Take it back to the dealer and get it removed and costs refunded.

Aaron

Originally Posted by Aaron IIA

It sounds like the whole towbar setup is not fit for purpose. Take it back to the dealer and get it removed and costs refunded.

Aaron

If it's up to spec and meets ADRs then it's fit for purpose.

A manufacturer can't account for the thousands of variations of trailer (of which many don't comply)

Find another company to have a look at that trailer... that set up is ridiculous- have it modified

Another option - have a chat to the bloke at MCHitch... he's switches on and may be able to do something for you..

When I looked that ball up on Ebay I saw that some Subaru and the VE commodore use a 40mm hitch.It could be that a sedan based hitch is longer and worth checking,perhaps call into a Holden dealer parts department and compare a Holden hitch for compatability.
Andrew

Andy - you can not just change length - it reduces load rating...

And the average 40mm Hitch is 1600kg not the 2000kg that LR rate theirs to...