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 Topic: Detachable Towbar & Secondary Coupling
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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 ?
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15/4/2013 at 11:12pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Ollie
2016
Monplaisir - Provence
Camping Les Gorges du Loup
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16/4/2013 at 8:59am
Location: sunny south east!
Outfit: Coachman
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My Westaflia doesn't have a hole to attach cable to so I loop round tow bar
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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
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18/4/2013 at 8:53am
Location: sunny south east!
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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
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18/4/2013 at 11:04am
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram
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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?
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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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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
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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.
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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.
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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!
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Ollie
2016
Monplaisir - Provence
Camping Les Gorges du Loup
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