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Subject Topic: Detachable Towbar & Secondary Coupling Post Reply Post New Topic
Personcamping100
15/4/2013 at 10:29pm
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In the next few weeks I am looking to have a detachable towbar fitted as I have parking sensors fitted, so I can tow our trailer tent.

On my old car which had a fixed tow bar, I placed the secondary coupling over the tow ball on to the towbar.

What's the best practise with a detachable towbar ?


PersonGrampian91
15/4/2013 at 11:12pm
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Secondary coupling = Breakaway cable or chain if unbraked?

It should have a hole on the fixed part of the towbar bracket to connect one to.

I wouldnt just loop it over the ball on a detachable towbar.

Its probably fine but thats just me.


Personcamping100
16/4/2013 at 7:19am
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Trailer tent is unbraked and has a loop of sturdy unbendable cable which extends just pass the trailer hitch. Can't see how it would be able to be passed through a hole on the fixed part of towbar.


PersonOpensauce
16/4/2013 at 7:44am
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There should be a small hole in the fixed part of towbar, get a carabina clip or yacht shackle of correct size that will fit through hole & loop cable through that.


PersonOliverDay
16/4/2013 at 7:45am
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Just put the loop over the tow ball. The tow bar locks in when engaged so will not come off.

-------------
Ollie

2016
Monplaisir - Provence
Camping Les Gorges du Loup


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Personsunshinetours
16/4/2013 at 8:59am
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My Westaflia doesn't have a hole to attach cable to so I loop round tow bar


Personcamping100
17/4/2013 at 10:33pm
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Quote: Originally posted by OliverDay on 16/4/2013
Just put the loop over the tow ball. The tow bar locks in when engaged so will not come off.


Thanks I think I had visions of the towbar coming off mid tow, but if they lock in then this should not be an issue.

BTW how does it lock in ?

Thanks


Personsunshinetours
18/4/2013 at 8:53am
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On ours you have a large red "nut" that you have to turn when you unhitch the bar after first using a key on a lock to prevent unwanted fingers unhitching or stealing your tow bar whilst in situ.

You just push it into the coupling and then lock it (can't take key out if unlocked so you can't lose it). Very easy and very effective


PersonGrampian91
18/4/2013 at 11:04am
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Except there was a lady with a BMW on one of the cop shows she managed to get about 40 miles towing a loaded horsebox when hers came away and the trailer ending up in a field.


I would have that uneasy feeling when towing, Did i secure it properly?


Personsunshinetours
18/4/2013 at 12:12pm
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Grampian you can't "not secure it properly" although obviously any hitch or towbar could fail in other ways

Anyone could exceed the recommended nose weight for instance and increase risk of a detachment


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PersonThekilpins
18/4/2013 at 2:31pm
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Quote: Originally posted by OliverDay on 16/4/2013Just put the loop over the tow ball. The tow bar locks in when engaged so will not come off.


Not true! There was a case the other month where the towbar came off.

There should be a fixing point you can attach it to. The brakeaway cable should be clipped somewhere other than the tow ball, if the tow ball failed, and the cable was wrapped around it, it wouldn't be much use would it?

Link 1


Post last edited on 18/04/2013 16:02:49


PersonOpensauce
18/4/2013 at 4:44pm
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If you go to Holland you will get nicked if you have breakaway cable around towball. Anybody towing there should be aware that caravan checks are mostly on a Friday.

Most towbars have some sort of loop or hole which allows for solution as in my previous post. Also available are metal plates with suitable holes in to go behind any convenient bolt on towbar.


PersonOliverDay
18/4/2013 at 7:25pm
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Quote: Originally posted by camping100 on 17/4/2013
Quote: Originally posted by OliverDay on 16/4/2013Just put the loop over the tow ball. The tow bar locks in when engaged so will not come off.


Thanks I think I had visions of the towbar coming off mid tow, but if they lock in then this should not be an issue.

BTW how does it lock in ?

Thanks

Westfalia
"The removable towball is secured against theft by a lock and key. The system uses a patented three ball system that holds it secure in the housing, without any play or wear. This ensures total safety, easy operation and the highest level of security and quality.
Westfalia detachable towbars are easy to fit and use, reliable, and are Europe's benchmark for this product type."


When it's locked in it can't come off. There are other types but the Westfalia is fail safe. Meaning if the mechanism fails it is locked on i.e. you won't get it off.

-------------
Ollie

2016
Monplaisir - Provence
Camping Les Gorges du Loup


Personcamping100
18/4/2013 at 7:34pm
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Just to clarify I am towing an braked trailer tent max load 500 kg, and has a secoundery coupling similar to this, but just extends pass the trailer hitch

http://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-vf-gb&biw=533&bih=320&site=webhp&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=HjtwUdiGCcey0QWXh4CgCA&q=trailer+secondary+coupling+un+braked&oq=trailer+secondary+coupling+un+braked&gs_l=mobile-gws-serp.12...41743.45989.0.46894.10.10.0.0.0.0.135.844.8j2.10.0...0.0...1c.1.9.mobile-gws-serp.r0h3L5YmXpY#i=48

Sorry can't post clickable link as on mobile at present.


PersonOliverDay
18/4/2013 at 8:05pm
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Link

I'd just place it around the tow ball and slide it down the shaft. If you are going to Holland - avoid Fridays!

-------------
Ollie

2016
Monplaisir - Provence
Camping Les Gorges du Loup



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