Choosing the right towbar for you and your vehicle can be a stressful decision to make. Which towbar is right? Is there a difference between each type of towbar? As experts, we aim to provide you, the customer, with the best possible services, which includes providing you with a range of information to make an informed decision.
This blog post will discuss how you can pick the right towbar by exploring the different types of towbars. We will also share tips and pieces of advice that can help you decide which towbar to pick.
Different Towbars
When you are picking your towbar, the first thing you should consider is which type of towbar is suitable for your requirements.
Flange Towbar
The most traditional and popular towbar is the bolt-on flange ball style and is the most commonly utilised towbar in the UK. It can be used with accessories such as a bumper guard and, with some types of cycle carriers, also allows bicycles to be carried at the same time as towing a trailer or caravan.
Detachable Towbars
A detachable towbar offers flexibility for those vehicles owners who do not require the use of a towbar constantly. A detachable towbar can be removed easily, but still provides the features of a fixed towbar.
One great advantage with most detachable ball towbars is that they are “invisible” with the ball removed and so the look of the car is uncompromised. Also, if you only require a towbar on rare occasions, a detachable towbar is perfect for you.
Swan Neck
The swan neck towbar features the towball and neck of the towbar as one cohesive piece, making it a more aesthetically pleasing accessory for your vehicle. Another potential benefit of a swan neck towbar is that it slightly reduces the chances of parking sensors picking up the towball, however, as stated, this is not a guarantee.
Additional Considerations
You must also consider the weight your car is legally permitted to tow. This is governed by the vehicle VIN plate where you will find the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) and the Gross Train Weight (GTW). To find your own vehicle towing capacity, deduct the GVW figure from the GTW figure which will then provide a maximum towing weight. If there is either no GTW figure or it is zero, or both GVW and GTW weights are the same then your particular vehicle has no towing capacity and a towbar can only be used with a cycle rack.
Another consideration is the noseweight limit for a towbar. This is the vertical force down onto the towball and is shown by the “S” figure on the towbar identification plate itself. This figure must not be exceeded when towing.
Alongside the type of towbar, you should also consider the price of the towbar, insurance and towbar maintenance. All these additional considerations can be discussed with a professional, as they can suggest towbars to suit your own personal requirements at the best possible price for you.
Summary
If you have any questions relating to towbars, or you are interested in our services, we are always happy to help. You can contact a member of our team at Somerset Mobile Towbars.