Towbar Types Explained
Explanation of the different types of tow bars available the pros and cons explained for each type.
Flange Towbar Types
The most commonly used type of bar in the U.K. is the Flange where the tow ball is bolted to the bar with two 24mm bolts. There are also some variations of the flange bar type that have four bolts instead of two.This is the most versatile design of bar because it can be used with tow ball mounted accessories i.e. Cycle carriers, bumper protectors & all types of stabilisers, all mounted between the tow bar & ball. The flange type of tow hitch is non-removable.
Reasons to buy a flange type bar:
1. Compatible with a large number of vehicles.
2. Allows for a choice of tow balls.
3. The height of the bar can be altered using drop plates.
4. Economical, they are the cheapest type of bar.
Reasons not to buy a flange type:
1. Both the tow bar and electrics can be seen when looking at the vehicle.
2. Different types of towball can be expensive.
Swan Neck Towbar Types
In the E.U. the most common type of towbar is the Swan Neck This is where the tow ball and the neck are all one piece of the tow bar. This type of tow bar is becoming more popular in the U.K. due to the appearance of the bar looking neater and with the bar being narrower it is less likely to trigger your parking sensors.
This type of bar is a little less versatile you can either tow or attach a cycle carrier you can’t use both at the same time.
The swan neck bar can also be used with an Alko stabiliser without the need for modification.
Reasons to buy a swan neck type:
1. Compatible with a large number of vehicles.
2. Compatible with Alko stabilisers
3. This type of towbar looks professional and discreet.
4. Competitively priced tow bar, slightly more expensive than the flange
type towbar.
Reasons not to buy a swan neck type:
1. Tow ball height cannot be altered.
2. Alternate Towballs cannot be fitted.
3. Slightly more expensive than a flange type.
4. Swan neck type towbars are visible unlike the detachable type towbars.
Detachable Towbar Types
When fitted to the vehicle a Detachable towbar looks very similar to a Swan neck. However the beauty of this type of bar is that the neck simply unclips when not in use it, leaving little or nothing of the tow bar to see.
Witter Towbar systems offer Quantum Vertical towbar and Quantum Horizontal towbar. They are termed as this due to the manor in which they are inserted into the housing of the towbar.
Reasons to buy a detachable towbar:
1. Almost invisible, and in some cases this type of towbar is invisible
when not in use.
2. Already compatible with a large number of vehicles. As popularity
increases with this type of towbar more and more vehicles will have this
type of towbar developed for them.
3. Compatible with Alko stabilisers
4. Aesthetically better looking in appearance compared to other types.
5. Reduces risk of injury when around the rear of the vehicle, as the
detachable neck can be removed when not in use.
Reasons not to buy a detachable:
1. Tow ball height cannot be altered.
2. Alternate Towballs cannot be fitted.
3. Much more expensive than a flange and swan neck towbar.
Electric Swivelling Type Towbar
The electric swivelling trailer towbar system is the newest type of bar developed by Westfalia. One press of a button and the towbar will appear from under the vehicle. You are then ready to tow!
The electric swivelling towbar type leads the way in the tow bar industry.
Vertical Detachable Tow Bar Types
The automatic detachable towbar is invisible. This type of towbar allows easy removal and fitting of the tow ball neck. The neck of the towbar is inserted vertically into the actual towbar fitted to the vehicle. To prevent theft or unwanted removal of the towbar neck a lock and key has been added.
Horizontal Detachable Tow Bar Types
The automatic detachable type towbar is invisible just like the one above. The only difference between the vertical detachable towbar type and the
horizontal detachable towbar type is the direction in which the towbar neck is inserted into the towbar fitted to the vehicle.
Compact detachable Tow Bar Types
This type of towbar made by Westfalia is a smaller and cheaper version of the vertical / horizontal detachable towbar types. The neck of this type
of towbar fits into the towbar fitted to the vehicle horizontally and like most Westfalia products this type of towbar is secured using a lock and ey.
Pin System Towbar Types
Pin System Detachable Type Tow Bar
This type of towbar is another similar to the detachable type towbars. The pin system towbar’s neck is inserted horizontally into the fitted part of the towbar unlike other types of towbar this system does not have a lock and key. Instead it is secured by a pin, which itself is made secure by a leg spring.
Nut System Towbar Types
This type of towbar is identical to the Pin System towbar type. The only difference being where the pin system is secured with a pin the nut system is secured with a nut.
Permanently Attached Type Tow Bar
This type of tow bar is Westfalias version of the commonly known flange type. Both (F10 Welded) and (F20 Bolted) are available, although thebolt type tow bar is preferred to the welded. Fixed Flange otherwise known as permanently attached is the cheapest model of bar.
Universal HGV Tow bar Types
Westfalia Towing Brackets are suitable for vehicles up to 3.5 t. The good thing about this tow hitch type is that they are fully adjustable in terms of both width and height. This type of bar allows fitting to vehicles that do not have a standard type tow bar allocated to them.
With many different combinations available to this type of tow hitch, this should be your first choice when searching for HGV towing equipment.
Tow bars are type approved, This means that a tow hitch for a VW Golf 2006 will only fit a VW Golf 2006, It will not a Ford Focus 2006