Home Log in or Register

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Caravans and Caravanning - Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice

Topic: Tow bar

oatlea

via mobile 05/5/2021 at 10:22pm
Location: West Midlands
Outfit: Eldiss jetstream

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 22/2/2013

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 46

Site Reviews Total:	5

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

I've just bought a Hyundai santa fe 09 plate which has a fitted tow bar. On looking at it it seems a bit rusty and I'm wondering whether to get it replaced with a new one or just paint it with something like hammerite?

-------------
Life is not measured by breaths taken but how many times our breath is taken away

martin734

05/5/2021 at 10:54pm
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 23/1/2019

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 203

Site Reviews Total:	2

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	1
Site Reviews 2021:	1
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	2
Site Nights 2021:	5
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

I would just give it a clean up with some steel wool. I wouldn't paint it as the paint can contaminate the friction pads on anti-sway hitches stopping them from working.

Colin21

05/5/2021 at 11:03pm
Location: East Herts
Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 05/11/2013

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 6270

Site Reviews Total:	18

Site Reviews 2024:	1
Site Reviews 2023:	1
Site Reviews 2022:	2
Site Reviews 2021:	2
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	2
Site Reviews 2018:	3

Site Nights 2024:	7
Site Nights 2023:	8
Site Nights 2022:	12
Site Nights 2021:	18
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	21
Site Nights 2018:	18

Quote: Originally posted by martin734 on 05/5/2021
I would just give it a clean up with some steel wool. I wouldn't paint it as the paint can contaminate the friction pads on anti-sway hitches stopping them from working.

I think the O/P refers to the tow bar, not the tow ball.

-------------
Best Regards,
Colin

tango55

06/5/2021 at 12:32am
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 15/5/2008

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 9587

Site Reviews Total:	23

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	3
Site Reviews 2021:	1
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	4
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	11
Site Nights 2021:	3
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	24
Site Nights 2018:	0

If the towball has surface rust you will need to wire brush the metal surface down first in preparation to provide a key for the fresh paint to bond otherwise the new paint will just lift off in a short time.
However, if a towbar is fitted to a vehicle then it has to be checked at the annual MOT test so if the rust was severe then it would have been submitted with an advisory or failed the MOT test so there is no harm in making it look a bit neater by applying a lick of fresh paint. You can paint part of the towball as well providing that you don't paint the actual ball itself if your caravan has a stabiliser hitch. If it does then make sure you cover the ball with masking tape first but clean the ball afterwards with white spirit to remove any sticky adhesive left behind by the masking tape.

Phishing

08/5/2021 at 10:33pm
Location: Merseyside
Outfit: Coachman 575

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 26/3/2014

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 218

Site Reviews Total:	26

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	2
Site Reviews 2020:	1
Site Reviews 2019:	3
Site Reviews 2018:	5

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	21
Site Nights 2020:	6
Site Nights 2019:	28
Site Nights 2018:	35

For the towbar metal (not the ball) wire brush, rust converter and then spay with stonechip. The do suffer from surface rust as most are not ECoated but I have never seen one that would be considered structurally unsound due to rust, they are made of very heavy gauge plate and tube.

In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice - Top of Page

Printable version

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

8730 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Recommend to Friend - Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums] [Caravan Sites & Camping] [Company Listings] [Features / Advice] [Virtual Brochure] [Shop!]
[Reception] [Competitions] [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] [Event Diary] [Contact Us] [Tent Reviews]

Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024

UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder