THE IMPORTANCE OF… TOWBAR SELECTION
THE STANDARD TOWBALL measures 50mm in diameter and was invented by Franz Knöbel of Westfalia Automotive in 1932.
The ball-and-cup design allows a high degree of swivelling and articulation, and secure connection. There are a variety of ways in which it can be attached to the tow car.
Flange towbar
This is the basic design, usually fixed permanently to the back of a vehicle, with the electric socket(s) alongside. The towball bracket is attached to the towbar frame with two bolts. Flange towbars are the lowest-cost towing option. Other accessories, such as bike carriers, can be attached to the flange plate if the ball is unbolted. However, some consider them ugly when fixed in place, potentially spoiling the look of a stylish car.
Swan-neck towbar
Swan-neck towbars usually have the towball on the end of a long, curved neck (hence the name), which arcs out from under the rear bumper.
This often means that the car’s bodywork doesn’t have to be cut, which might be necessary with other towbar designs. There are three formats available: permanent, retractable and removable.
Detachable towbar
Rather than allowing an unsightly towbar to ‘disfigure’ your beautiful tow car, you could fit a detachable one, which can be removed when not in use. Detachable towbars slide into a receptor underneath the rear bumper and click into place. They can be locked to prevent theft.
This mechanism tends to be spring-loaded, so after removal, it can be ‘primed’, ready to click back into position for the next time. The green indicator strip ensures you’ve attached it properly.
Retractable towbar
Retractable towbars are fixed to the tow car permanently, but can be neatly folded up, out of sight behind the rear bumper, when not in use.
Two types are available: manual and electronic. Usually, the release mechanism is just inside the boot, where there’s a control button.
The manual towbar swivels down and can be grabbed and clicked into position. Automated versions are electronically powered into place. To retract them, you press a button. Powered ones will return to their starting position automatically, while manual versions drop down and are swung back into the ‘stored’ position under the rear bumper. John Sootheran