Tow Bar Types Explained
Explanation of the different types of tow bars available, the pros and cons explained for each type.
Flanged Tow Bar Types
The most widely used type of bar in the UK is the flange, where the towball is bolted to the bar with two 24mm bolts. There are also some variations of the flanged bar type that have four bolts instead of two. This is the most versatile bar design because it can be used with tow ball mounted accessories i.e. bike racks, bumper guards and all kinds of stabilizers all mounted. between the tow bar and the ball. The flange type of the trailer hitch is non-removable.
Reasons to buy a flange type bar:
1. Compatible with a large number of vehicles.
2. Allows you to choose the tow balls.
3. The height of the bar can be modified using drop plates.
4. Economic, they are the cheapest type of bar.
Reasons not to buy a flange type:
1. Both the tow bar and the electrical system can be seen when looking at the vehicle.
2. Different types of tow balls can be expensive.
Gooseneck Tow Bar Types
In the EU, the most common type of tow bar is the gooseneck. This is where the tow ball and neck are one piece of the tow bar. This type of tow bar is becoming more popular in the UK because the appearance of the bar looks neater and as the bar is narrower it is less likely to trigger parking sensors.
This type of bar is a little less versatile, it can either tow or attach a bike rack which can’t use both at the same time.
The gooseneck bar can also be used with an Alko stabilizer without modification.
Reasons to buy a gooseneck type:
1. Compatible with a large number of vehicles.
2. Compatible with Alko stabilizers
3. This type of tow bar looks professional and unobtrusive.
4. Competitively priced tow bar, a little more expensive than flange
tow bar type.
Reasons not to buy a gooseneck type:
1. The height of the tow ball cannot be changed.
2. Alternative tow balls cannot be installed.
3. Slightly more expensive than a flange type.
4. Gooseneck tow bars are visible unlike detachable tow bars.
Detachable tow bar types
When installed on the vehicle, a detachable tow bar looks a lot like a gooseneck. However, the beauty of this type of tow bar is that the collar simply drops off when not in use, leaving little to no visible tow bar.
Witter Towbar Systems offer the Quantum Vertical Towbar and Quantum Horizontal Towbar. They are so named because of the lordship in which they are inserted into the trailer hitch housing.
Reasons to buy a detachable trailer hitch:
1. Almost invisible, and in some cases this type of tow bar is invisible
when not in use.
2. Already compatible with a large number of vehicles. so popular
increases with this type of tow ball more and more vehicles will have this
type of tow bar developed for them.
3. Compatible with Alko stabilizers
4. Aesthetically better appearance compared to other types.
5.Reduces the risk of injury when around the rear of the vehicle, as the
detachable collar can be removed when not in use.
Reasons not to buy a demountable:
1. The height of the tow ball cannot be changed.
2. Alternative tow balls cannot be installed.
3. Much more expensive than a gooseneck flanged tow hook.
Electric swivel tow bar
The electric rotating tow bar system is the newest type of bar developed by Westfalia. One push of a button and the tow bar will appear under the vehicle. Then you’re ready to tow!
The electric swivel tow bar type leads the way in the tow bar industry.
Vertical Detachable Tow Bar Types
The automatic detachable tow bar is invisible. This type of tow bar allows easy removal and mounting of the tow ball neck. The tow bar collar inserts vertically into the actual tow bar installed on the vehicle. To prevent theft or unwanted removal of the tow bar collar, a padlock and key have been added.
Horizontal Detachable Tow Bar Types
The auto detachable type tow bar is invisible just like the one above. The only difference between the vertical detachable tow bar type and the
Horizontal detachable tow bar type is the direction in which the tow bar neck inserts into the tow bar installed on the vehicle.
Compact Detachable Tow Bar Types
This type of tow bar manufactured by Westfalia is a smaller and cheaper version of the vertical/horizontal detachable tow bar types. This guy’s neck
The tow bar fits the tow bar installed on the vehicle horizontally and, like most Westfalia products, this type of tow bar is secured by a lock and eye.
Types of tow bar with pin system
Detachable type tow bar with pin system
This type of tow ball is another similar to detachable type tow balls. The collar of the pin system hitch is inserted horizontally into the recessed part of the hitch, unlike other types of hitches, this system does not have a lock or key. Instead it is secured by a pin, which is in turn secured by a leg spring.
Types of tow bar with nut system
This type of hitch is identical to the Pin System type of hitch. The only difference is that where the pin system is secured with a pin, the nut system is secured with a nut.
Permanently Attached Type Tow Bar
This type of tow bar is the Westfalian version of the well-known flange type. Both (F10 welded) and (F20 bolted) are available, although bolt-on type tow bar is preferred over welded. The fixed flange, also known as permanently fixed, is the most economical bar model.
Universal types of tow bar for heavy vehicles
Westfalia tow brackets are suitable for vehicles up to 3.5 t. The great thing about this type of trailer hitch is that they are fully adjustable in both width and height. This type of bar allows its installation in vehicles that do not have a standard type tow bar assigned.
With many different combinations available for this type of trailer hitch, this should be your first choice when looking for heavy duty towing equipment.
The tow bars are homologated which means a tow bar for a 2006 VW Golf will only fit a 2006 VW Golf, not a 2006 Ford Focus