Warning after corroded towbar fails
A warning has been issued to motorists to urgently check the condition of their towbars after a corroded bar on the rear of a vehicle failed in dramatic fashion while attached to a boat trailer.
The towbar, shown in the photo, was severely corroded and snapped completely in two whilst in use, but fortunately it happened in a parking lot and not on the open road and there was no other damage or injuries. The severe corrosion is attributed to the vehicle constantly backing into salt water when launching and recovering the boat – which had gone unnoticed during use.
The incident came to the attention of Best Bars, the largest manufacturer of original equipment towbars and vehicle accessories in the country, and its CEO, Stephen de Kriek says it is a warning that all towing motorists should heed and they need to be vigilant about checking their towbar, towbar tongue, towball, coupling and trailer regularly.
While it was fortunate there was little damage and no injury, the consequences could have been much worse if it had taken place on a busy road, says Stephen.
“The forces exerted on a towbar can be huge – most motorist never look twice at their towbars, and perhaps do not realise that all towing equipment should be inspected periodically. Safety of all road users is paramount and towing motorists are encouraged to regularly check for signs of wear and tear or corrosion.
“Signs of damage or corrosion may mean the set-up is unsafe and once this is discovered it should be remedied before towing. Inspection is especially relevant when the vehicle is being used in a marine environment, especially if the towbar, towball and coupling are immersed in salt water. It’s very corrosive and, as this example clearly illustrates, without regular care it will eventually eat away even the best grades of steel, seriously weakening the parts and eventually leading to a failure.
If motorists are unsure about the condition of their towbar or trailer components he urges them to get an inspection by a reputable mechanic, WOF/COF inspector or professional towbar technician.
If the towbar shows excessive wear or corrosion, Mr de Kriek strongly advises replacement with a brand new towbar designed and made to NZ Standard 5467. Motorists should look for this reference on any new towbar they purchase, it is an endorsement that the towbar has been designed and tested to a high level. Not all towbars sold in New Zealand meet this standard, he warns.
Best Bars supplies its towbars to leading new vehicle distributors, franchised dealers and selected specialist companies in Australasia (see www.bestbars.co.nz).