Towbar installation – can you do it yourself?

Tips

Artur Owczarek

Brand Product Manager Moje AutoHe has been involved in the automotive industry for years. He is passionate about cars and detailing. On his blog, he shares his knowledge and experience, offering tips on how to effectively care for your car and extend its life.

This is not the end of the adversities you may face. In some vehicles, the approval does not allow towing trailers. Can be performed in them towing hook assembly however, only with a small pull. It is so small that you can only fit a bicycle rack in your car. So before you decide to towbar installation, check if this is possible in your car model.

Towbar - types

You have to choose towbar, that fits your car. Individual types are adapted to specific car models, engine versions and body types. Unfortunately, there are no towbars that fit all vehicles.

Typical towbar consists of a mounting beam with a section at the end. The beams are made of steel and vary in cross-section. The shape is used to attach the hook to specific places in the vehicle chassis. Towbar it also has an electrical socket located in a housing made of plastic. Thanks to the lifting flap, it is possible to install trailer lighting.

Currently you can choose from 4 types of hooks:

• Hooks with a ball screwed on with screws – towbar permanently installed
• Hooks with a semi-automatically detachable ball that can be transported in the trunk
• A hook with an automatically detachable ball with anti-theft protection
• Retractable hooks - permanently mounted, with a deflectable ball that can be hidden under the car.

Installation of tow hooks with a detachable ball is a good idea if you are traveling abroad. In some countries, the law prohibits driving with a crutch without a trailer. Moreover, its presence may make parking in tight spaces difficult. Increases the risk of damaging another vehicle.

(My Car infographic)

Installation of tow hooks and the car model

To choose the right one towbar, pay attention to several features of the vehicle:

• Shape and type of body
• The make and model of the car
• Year of production
• Permissible weight of the towed trailer
• Arrangement of holes in the chassis
• Presence of parking sensors

Also choose the type of electrical socket that is used to illuminate the trailer. 7-pin sockets are intended for ordinary caravans, cargo trailers and tow trucks. If your caravan has a fridge, choose a 13-pin socket. You can also choose the first option and an adapter. Thanks to it, you can connect a 7-pin plug to a 13-pin socket.

(My Car infographic)

Towbar - regulations

Installing the towbar is to some extent limited by the guidelines that you will find in your car's registration certificate. They concern the permissible weight of the trailer with and without brakes. However, this is not data that can prevent you from doing so towbar installation. You can calculate the permissible total weight using the formula:

GVM/1,33

Remember, however, that according to the law, if you have a category B driving license, you can drive a vehicle with a combination of 3,5 tons.

Installing the towbar it also requires reporting this fact for a technical inspection to the Vehicle Inspection Station and the Communication Department. Towbar we need to undergo a diagnostic test. If it has been installed incorrectly, the work must be carried out again.

Installing the towbar

Installing the towbar you can do it yourself or use the help of a professional. How to mount towbar?

1. Prepare the kit towbar
2. Read the user manual
3. Empty the trunk of your car
4. Remove the side covers in the trunk compartment. 
5. Unscrew the rear bumper
6. Remove the skid plates under the bumper
7. Using the hydraulic lift, raise the car
8. Dismantle the exhaust system parts
9. Remove corrosion deposits at the installation site
10. Install the supports and beams
11. If necessary, cut the bottom of the bumper
12. Install the bumper and towbar
13. Run a dedicated electrical harness
14. Screw on the socket and connect the harness to it
15. Install the muffler

Installing the towbar…and what's next?

To be able to tow another vehicle using towbar, you will need a tow rope. Products available on the market, including those offered by Moje Auto, differ in pulling power and length. The rope should be easy to install, but also resistant to heavy loads. Its color is also important. According to the regulations, the tow rope must have a color that stands out and allows good visibility. My Car towing ropes marked with TUV, BSI and WT certificates. 

(photo: My Car)

So you need to tow another vehicle towbar and tow rope. The towed vehicle must also be properly prepared in advance. We place a warning triangle on the left side of the car. If there are bad weather conditions and visibility is limited, we turn on the position lights, but never use warning lights. Attach the tow rope in such a way that it does not become disconnected. A hitch connected to a rope is used for this purpose. The rope must always be taut when towing. If you change lanes, both vehicles signal this. If possible, drive in the right lane. The towed vehicle should brake harder to avoid the slack rope effect. All this requires good communication between drivers.

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Summary

Towbar so you can install it yourself if your car is adapted for it. However, remember that you must report towing hook assembly to the Vehicle Inspection Station and the Communication Department. You will also need a tow rope, as well as knowledge of how to tow your car properly and legally.