JoelP
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| posted on 15/8/09 at 08:25 PM |
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making a tow bar
being a tight wad, im thinking of making a towbar for my van. Theres pre-tapped holes in the chassis for it so its just a case of making it well, and
wiring it.
What sort of thickness would the plates usually be? 6mm? Looking on ebay the usual design is a pair of brackets that bolts on either side, and a large
tube that goes across the rear, with the ball in the middle.
Thoughts?
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rusty nuts
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| posted on 15/8/09 at 08:29 PM |
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You may have trouble with insurance in the event of an accident as towbars now have to be type approved IIRC
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mookaloid
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| posted on 15/8/09 at 08:32 PM |
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as above /\ /\ but if it failed and the loose trailer killed someone that would be very not good.
Proper ones can be had pretty cheaply or even second hand.
not worth the effort IMHO
cheers
Mark
"That thing you're thinking - it wont be that."
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owelly
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| posted on 15/8/09 at 08:34 PM |
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I've used these for the past few bars I've fitted. Usually a good fit and good instructions. I usually read the instructions during the
post-fit brew.....
http://www.towequipe.co.uk/
I got a bar, stainless backplate and wiring kit for the Bongo for about £78 IIRC!
Not answered you question, just stuck my fat wobbly nose in.....
http://www.ppcmag.co.uk
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big_wasa
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| posted on 15/8/09 at 08:35 PM |
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Not worth the bother. The steel in mine is at least 10mm.
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mookaloid
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| posted on 15/8/09 at 08:37 PM |
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is it for the vivaro?
on ebay for about 75 earth pounds 
"That thing you're thinking - it wont be that."
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JoelP
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| posted on 15/8/09 at 08:38 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by mookaloid
is it for the vivaro?
on ebay for about 75 earth pounds
like i said, tightwad
but fair enough, i'll spare the kids
Seems bizzare that you can build a whole car but not the tow bar though?
[Edited on 15/8/09 by JoelP]
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mookaloid
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| posted on 15/8/09 at 08:47 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by JoelP
quote:
Originally posted by mookaloid
is it for the vivaro?
on ebay for about 75 earth pounds
like i said, tightwad
but fair enough, i'll spare the kids
Seems bizzare that you can build a whole car but not the tow bar though?
[Edited on 15/8/09 by JoelP]
well it's probably a grey area. you certainly can't make one and sell it legally. You might get away with making one yourself and only
using it your self.
They are all supposed to be rated and plated now.
However in terms of advisability I wouldn't think it was a good idea. I have seen a farm trailer embedded in a front room of a house because the
tractor driver thought a length of bent rebar was as good as a proper pin in his towing hitch. If the family had been in the room they would all be
well er dead probably.
good luck with your decision making process
"That thing you're thinking - it wont be that."
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designer
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| posted on 16/8/09 at 07:34 AM |
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Why make your own when Leeds has the cheapest tow bar fitters in the UK.
Central Tow Bars, places in Cross Green and Armley.
Always fit mine. Just fitted my Note recently, it cost me £10 more to have it fitted there than to just buy it.
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coozer
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| posted on 16/8/09 at 11:31 AM |
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Scrap yards have then pretty cheap. I thought about making one as well but ended up gettign a nearly new Witter job with all the wiring and a stuff
for £30.
1972 V8 Jago
1980 Z750
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JoelP
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| posted on 16/8/09 at 08:01 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by designer
Why make your own when Leeds has the cheapest tow bar fitters in the UK.
Central Tow Bars, places in Cross Green and Armley.
Always fit mine. Just fitted my Note recently, it cost me £10 more to have it fitted there than to just buy it.
cheers, i'll give them a call! Might try the scrappers too.  Or just tack a ball onto my rear step!
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Vindi_andy
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| posted on 3/6/10 at 02:42 PM |
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I know Im resurrecting an old thread but better that than start a new one I thought.
Given that kitcars are unique and have not specific type how do you go about getting a type approved towbar for a kitcar?
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Peteff
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| posted on 3/6/10 at 03:44 PM |
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Why would you want to tow anything with a kit car ? There's an old chap who tows a custom made caravan type trailer with a Lomax but his
attaches to a pin on the rollover bar, it looks precarious to me.
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
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Vindi_andy
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| posted on 3/6/10 at 03:58 PM |
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I want to make a little teardrop trailer for going to the shows as the Mrs has tried camping and doesnt like it and want a little more creature
comforts which we can do with a teardrop.
Been to have a look at a few and I reckon I can bring one in at around 500KG against a kerb weight on tango of 830KG
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Peteff
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| posted on 3/6/10 at 06:50 PM |
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The trailer will need to be braked to pull it safely, it's not safe or legal to pull a trailer weighing more than 50% of the towing vehicle
without brakes. Allow another CWT for the essentials you will need in the trailer on top of it's axle weight and it will soon be a case of the
tail wagging the dog first time you brake going downhill.
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
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JoelP
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| posted on 4/6/10 at 07:18 AM |
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so negative pete!
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Vindi_andy
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| posted on 4/6/10 at 07:52 AM |
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Was looking at using an old caravan chassis and shortening the back end so it would be all braked up any way
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