Towing Equipment: How to Choose the Perfect Towbar

Towbars are one of those things that most people know very little about until they have to tow another vehicle or head out on a road trip in the new family camper.

Choosing the perfect towbar can be daunting once you see everything available.

If you're like some people, you may have questions about finding the right towbar for your needs. For example, can I use the same towbar for everything? Don't they all towbars look and work the same? And how do I choose the best towbar for what I want to do?

Read on to find the answers to these questions and more.

How Do Towbars Work?

A towbar is a device used to connect a vehicle to another vehicle. We use the word vehicle loosely here because it refers to non-motorized vehicles such as trailers and travel trailers.

The towbar connects to the frame of the trailer, vehicle, or camper trailer, allowing you to pull it behind your vehicle. You can also use a towbar to pull trailers, boats, and cars.

Towbars come in many different styles depending on what type of vehicle will do the towing. So while there are universal towbars, some are made specifically to suit certain vehicles.

The Two Main Ways To Tow

There are two main ways to tow vehicles: flat towing and dolly towing.

1. Flat towing

Flat towing uses a single trailer hitch attached to the back bumper of the vehicle being towed. This method works best when pulling a small trailer or car hauler behind your truck or SUV.

This type of towing requires no special equipment and is easy to set up. However, it doesn't allow for much maneuverability since there is no way to turn around.

2. Dolly towing

A dolly towing system consists of a separate towing bar attached to the front bumper of the vehicle being pulled. A pair of wheels on either side of the towing bar allows the vehicle to move freely while pulling a larger trailer or vehicle.

Dollies offer greater maneuverability because the driver can make turns without worrying about backing into anything. However, they require some extra space to operate, so you'll want to plan.

What to Look for in a Towbar

Towbars are mainly used for flat towing, allowing you to attach your vehicle to the trailer without damaging your bumper or frame.

There is a wide range of towbars, including hitch receivers, ball mounts, integrated systems, and quick-release towbars. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages.

So, knowing what to look for can help you choose the best one for your needs.

Let us review the different types of towbars and their functionalities;

Receiver style towbar

The most common towbar is the receiver style. These come in three varieties:

1. Single axle receivers are usually found on older vehicles and are designed to hold the front end of a car.
2. Dual axle receivers are typically used on newer trucks and can hold both axles.
3. Tandem axle receivers are designed to hold multiple trailers.

Most towbars use a pin or a clevis to connect the towbar to the receiver. A pin attaches directly to the receiver while a clevis connects via a pivot joint.

Ball mount towbars

Like receiver towbars, ball mounts are attached to the vehicle's rear. However, they do not require a special receiver. Instead, they simply bolt into place.

Integrated towbars

These towbars combine the functionality of a ball mount and a receiver. As such, they work just like a ball mount, except they are attached to the receiver itself.

This allows them to provide all the benefits of a ball mount but with the bonus of easier installation.

Quick-release towbars

These towbars allow you to release and reconnect your trailer without tools easily. This makes it easy to travel with your trailer since you won't have to worry about attaching and detaching it every time you park.

However, because these towbars aren't attached to your vehicle, they can't provide stability while driving. So, we recommend you look into a full-length towbar if you plan on towing often.

What to Keep in Mind Before You Buy a Towbar

Before you head out and buy a towbar, several factors must be considered. While most towbars look the same, they all offer very different features for different applications. Some of these are;

Weight capacity

A towbar with a higher load capacity allows you to carry more weight without compromising safety. However, it doesn't mean that you should go out and buy one just because it offers more cargo space.

Instead, you'll want to consider several factors, such as the type of vehicles you tow, how much weight you're likely to haul, and how often you use the towbar.

The same goes for the weight ratings themselves. If you regularly tow large trailers, you might want to look into towbars with a higher weight rating.

But if you don't tow very much, you won't necessarily benefit from adding extra weight to your trailer. Though, even if you do big tow rigs, you might find yourself using the towbar infrequently.

So, unless you know exactly what you're doing, it might make sense to stick with a towbar that weighs about half as much as a towbar with a higher rating.

Also, make sure the hitch receiver is compatible with your vehicle.

Durability

The best tow bars are long-lasting because they won't break under heavy strain. They're built to handle abuse and stand up to the task.

But durability isn't just about how well a towbar holds up - it's also about safety. So make sure you choose a strong towbar that will not be hazardous to your vehicle and yourself.

Choosing the Right Towbar

Here are a few steps to follow before setting off to buy a towbar.

Step 1: Get the measurements

There are a few parts of your vehicle and trailer that you need to measure to find the correct and safe towbar.

• Hitch receiver. The hitch receiver on your vehicle is where the towbar attaches to your vehicle. This is typically located under the bumper. Use a tape measure to find out the distance between the front of your bumper and the rear of your bumper. In addition, measure your hitch height, which is the distance from the bottom of the hitch receiver to the ground.
• Trailer length. There are several ways to determine this. One way is to measure the overall size of the trailer. Another method is to use a measuring wheel.

Step 2: Find your hitch ball size

A standard tow bar comes with either an 8mm, 10mm, or 12mm ball diameter. A ball mount attaches directly to the frame of your truck or SUV and holds the ball in place.

Most ball mounts are designed to accept a specific ball diameter. If you want to change the ball size, it'll require replacing the entire mounting system. This isn't something most people do because it requires special tools and skills.

It's also important to note that a good trailer ball should be around 4 inches off the ground. With this height difference, you should be able to keep the ball level while driving. You want to choose a ball with a shank that is between 12 and 16 inches long. These lengths are ideal because they provide enough weight to balance the trailer without making it overly heavy.

Step 3: Before you tow, checklist

Now that you know what to look for when choosing the perfect towing setup for your needs, take a few moments to consider these tips;

Make sure your hitch is rated right: the hitch rating refers to the weight capacity of the trailer or truck. If your hitch is rated too low, you could damage your vehicle or even cause injury to yourself. A good tip is to increase the size of your load. So if you are hauling a boat, think about adding another person to your trip.

Don't forget your hitch mounts: you may not think about hitch mounts or tow hitches until after you've bought your new towbar. But you'll definitely need these towing accessories. They're used to attach your towbar to your vehicle.

These come in different sizes, based on how many wheels your vehicle has. They usually have two holes on each side. The first hole goes through the center of the wheel, and the second hole goes through the outer rim.

When installing the hitch mounts, make sure they go all the way through both sides of the wheel. If you don't, you run the risk of damaging your tires.

Check tire pressure: A flat tire can lead to serious problems, like getting stuck in mud or snow. So check your tire pressure often, and don't forget to add air to your spare tire.

Check your horn: If your horn doesn't work, you won't be able to alert others in an emergency. So before heading out, test your horn to ensure it works.

Conclusion

Choosing the perfect towbar for your needs can be complicated if you don't know what you're doing. If you are unsure, ask your local dealer to find out more.

Safety is of utmost importance when attaching anything to a towbar, so ensure you know all the ins and outs before you set off.

Remember, the best towbar has the perfect fit for your towing applications and is the safest installation.

If you're planning to tow a car, a boat, or a cross-country vehicle, let A-1 Auto Transport take that burden off your shoulders with our range of car and vehicle shipping services.

For safe and reliable shipping, contact us now!