Warmer weather means more opportunities to get out and about and explore the great outdoors. From camping and caravanning to biking and other outdoor hobbies, there's so much we can enjoy right here in the UK.
Installing a towbar onto your vehicle can make spontaneous adventures much easier to plan, giving you more time to live-in-the-moment. But from installation to longer-term maintenance, it's important to consider towbar safety, so your trips can get underway without a hitch.
This guide will cover the following:
- Fitting your towbar the right way
- How to safely attach a detachable towbar neck
- How safe is a towbar?
- Towbar maintenance
- Towbar winches
- Can you transfer a towbar to another car?
- Towbars for VW Transporter
- What can I tow?
Fitting Your Towbar The Right Way
Towbar safety starts with understanding two key parts of information:
- 1
A towbar is more than just a piece of metal fixed to the rear of your car.
- 2
The price of the towbar shouldn't be your main consideration.
How does this relate to towbar safety? Let us explain.
Your Towbar Integrates with Your Vehicle
A fitted towbar can integrate with your vehicle's technology through a wiring kit. There are two main types of wiring kits; vehicle-specific and universal.
Vehicle-Specific Wiring Kit
A vehicle-specific wiring kit is made to fit a specific car make and model. It works in coordination with the vehicle's electrical system without impacting its functionality.
Universal Wiring Kit
A universal wiring kit can be installed in nearly every vehicle. However, it cannot be programmed to integrate with a vehicle's electronics.
It is better to think of a towbar as a piece of technology rather than a tool, especially if you have a modern vehicle with lots of technological features. Using a universal wiring kit to install a towbar onto a more up-to-date make and model could bypass the following safety features:
How to safely attach a detachable towbar neck
A detachable towbar neck is a versatile and convenient accessory for towing purposes, providing the flexibility to equip your vehicle for towing when needed and the ability to remove the towbar when not in use.
You may be wondering, are detachable towbars safe? The answer is yes! But, you need to make sure the towbar is attached properly and securely, as the correct attachment of the detachable towbar neck is pivotal to a safe and successful towing experience.
In this section, we will guide you through the essential steps to properly attach a detachable towbar neck, highlighting key considerations and safety measures.
Step 1)
Firstly, you’ll need to identify the mechanism position. There are two:
- Discharged State
- Charged State
Discharged state
If the pin with the gold surround is protruding approximately 3mm and the silver plunger is visible beyond the end of the housing then the mechanism is in a discharged state.
Charged state
If the pin with the gold surround is protruding approximately 8mm and the silver plunger is hidden within the end of the housing then the mechanism is in a charged state.
Step 2)
How do I know if the handle is locked or unlocked?
If the key slot is perpendicular to the handle grip, it is in the locked position and will therefore be needed to be unlocked. To do this you need to insert the key and rotate 90° clockwise so the key slot is in-line with the handle grip. Then remove the key.
Step 3)
Push down on the handle (whilst keeping the handle pressed) and rotate clockwise until you hear a click.
Step 4)
Remove the weather cover from the towbar’s housing and keep it safely stored.
Step 5)
Insert the detachable neck into the receptor and push down (if you have a horizontal system) or pull the ball towards you (if you have a vertical system). You’ll know you’ve successfully loaded your towbar neck if the handle spins anti-clockwise and shows green in the window.
Step 6)
Lock the neck by inserting the key and turning it anti-clockwise.
And there you go! Now you know how to safely attach and detach a detachable towbar neck.
Have a Westfalia neck? Learn about how to attach and detach it safely here.
How safe is a towbar?
When installed and used correctly, towbars are very safe. However, safety depends on a wide variety of factors, including the type of towbar, if it’s been installed properly, and an adherence to weight limits and towing guidelines.
Type of towbar
To ensure the safety of your towbar, you should always buy a new, vehicle-specific towbar. This is the case for a number of different reasons.
It should be new because you don’t know the history of a second-hand towbar and there’s a chance it wasn’t maintained properly over the course of its life. It should also be vehicle-specific because if you transfer a towbar from one vehicle to another, it might not fit correctly.
Proper towbar installation
In order to fit a towbar safely and securely you should always have it fitted by a professional fitter. Fitting it yourself could end up compromising your own safety as well as the safety of others on the road.
That is why we only supply the highest quality towbars and have a network of approved service centres that can fit your towbar at home, or in the garage at a time that suits you.
Towing guidelines
Towing safely isn’t just about having your towbar fitted properly, there are a range of rules you have to abide by in order to guarantee your safety and the safety of other road users.
- Your registration number and rear lights should always be visible. When your towbar is fitted, you should have a vehicle electrics kit fitted at the same time. This is so the lights on your vehicle sync with whatever you plan to tow (trailer, caravan, bike rack etc)
- You should never exceed the towing capacity of your vehicle, as this can lead to swaying and can result in you losing control of the vehicle.
How to use your towbar safely
Apart from the type of towbar you have, and having it properly installed by a professional, there are other ways you can ensure your safety and the safety of other road users.
- Before you set off, check your towbar and trailer, bike rack or caravan are secure and the breakaway cable is attached firmly.
- Pull away slowly to make sure your trailer is attached and have someone behind your vehicle to check your lights to see if they are working properly.
- Have your towbar regularly serviced by a professional.
Using a towbar is perfectly safe, as long as you follow the towing guidelines and double check everything works fine before you set off for your journey. Witter and Westfalia towbars are durable and high quality, so if you’re looking for a reliable towbar, look no further.
Learn more about how safe a towbar is here.Towbar maintenance
What should a regular towbar inspection look like?
Towbar maintenance is essential to ensure the safety and functionality of your towbar. Regular inspections help identify potential issues early on, preventing significant problems down the line. Here are some key aspects of towbar maintenance you can do yourself:
- Check your towbar is secure, including supports such as nuts and bolts
- If you have a detachable towbar, inspect the tow ball
- Check for looseness between tow ball arm and socket
- Check levers and joints are tightly fitted
- Check for rust
How to keep your towbar in perfect condition
Towbars can become damaged due to harsh environmental conditions and general wear and tear, as well as lack of care.
After 500 miles of towing and thereafter every year, you should have a look at the following components of your towbar:
- Re-torque all of the fixings to the values specified on the installation instructions
- Repair any damage to the paint
- Replace damaged components
We’ve written a towbar care guide that goes into more detail about towbar inspections if you intend to inspect your towbar yourself.
If you didn’t install the towbar yourself (we always recommend installation via a professional towbar fitter) then have it checked over by a local garage to ensure it’s still safe for towing.
What to do if your towbar is damaged
If any of the following applies to your vehicle and towbar, you should take your towbar to a local garage immediately to have it professionally looked at:
- If your vehicle has been involved in an accident, incident or collision
- If your towbar has had an abnormal load applied to it
- If your towbar has been damaged, misused or neglected
- If the towbar has been transferred to another vehicle
- If you’ve modified your towbar
Towbar winches
Towbar winches, when used properly and in accordance with safety guidelines, can be safe and effective tools for various applications. However, like any piece of equipment, it's important to follow safety precautions to minimise the risk of accidents or injuries. Here are some considerations for using towbar winches safely:
Weight Limits
Adhere to the weight limits specified by the towbar winch manufacturer. Exceeding these limits can strain the winch and compromise its safety and functionality. What you can tow with a towbar winch has everything to do with the vehicle's weight, the strength of wire, and the point of connection for the winch hook.
Proper Installation
Ensure that the towbar winch is installed correctly, following the manufacturer's instructions for the safe operation of the winch. We always recommend getting your towbar winch fitted by a professional.
Can you transfer a towbar to another car?
The simple answer is, no. We would never recommend transferring a towbar from one vehicle to another as this could significantly compromise your safety. Only type approved towbars that are make and model-specific can be fitted to your vehicle in the first place.
If you have a towbar that you’re wanting to transfer to a vehicle that is the same make and model as the original, this can technically be done. But if, for example, you want to transfer a towbar from a Ford Focus to a Renault Clio, this would be unsafe and could pose danger to yourself and other road users.
Is a second-hand towbar safe?
Buying a second-hand towbar isn’t a great idea, there are many different reasons for this. If you don’t know the full history of the towbar you can’t be sure if it’s in a safe towing condition.
It could also have been made specifically for a different vehicle to the one you want to fit it to, meaning that it may not be compatible with your vehicle. Transferring a towbar from one vehicle to another can also nullify the warranty or guarantee that came with the towbar originally. Buying a new towbar from Witter guarantees a full warranty.
Learn more about tranfferring your towbar onto another car here.Towbars for VW Transporter
For anyone looking for a towbar for a Volkswagen (VW) Transporter is renowned for its reliability, spaciousness, and excellent build quality, making it a popular choice among van enthusiasts.
But not all VW Transporters come equipped with a towbar, particularly older models bought directly from the factory. Newer models may offer the option to customise features, including towbar installation.
If you’ve bought a second hand VW Transporter and want to install a towbar, we always recommend contacting a professional fitter who can install the right towbar onto your vehicle.
Which towbars for VW Transporters do we sell?
For the VW Transporter, we sell the OE bumper carrier. It is the same as the Westfalia detachable towbar that Volkswagen manufactures for their newer model VW Transporter. If you were to buy this towbar, we recommend getting it fitted by a professional installer, so you can be sure to tow safely and securely.
What are the benefits of the VW Transporter bumper carrier?
The OE bumper carrier doesn’t require any cuts to the vehicle, which was the only previous option. This would compromise safety as by cutting the bumper, it can become weaker and less supportive. Cutting the bumper could also increase the risk of injury as this process requires heavy tools.
The bumper carrier actually offers support to the bumper so it doesn’t sag, as well as being easier and quicker to install.
Learn more about towbars for Volkswagen Transporters here.What can I tow?
Making sure you’ve legally able to tow a trailer or a caravan is very important. Failure to correctly match your car and caravan or trailer’s weights could result in either a fine, points on your licence or even endangering the life of road users, as well as yourself.
Every car has a maximum towing capacity, this information can be found out by reading your VIN plate (under your car’s bonnet or on a door pillar). It includes the following information:
- Gross vehicle weight - the total maximum weight of the vehicle
- Gross train weight -the total maximum weight of the vehicle + your load
- Maximum front axle load -the maximum weight supported by the front axle of your vehicle
- Maximum rear axle load - the maximum weight supported by the rear axle of your vehicle
It will look something like this:
- Gross Vehicle Weight: 3000kg
- Gross Train Weight: 5000kg
- Maximum Front Axle Load: 1500kg
- Maximum Rear Axle Load: 1600kg
How to calculate the maximum towing weight
To calculate the maximum towing weight of your vehicle, you need to subtract the gross vehicle weight from the gross train weight.
What can I tow>?
Regardless of power and size of your vehicle, the two rules that apply to all cars are:
- Maximum towing width of 2.55 metres
- Maximum towing length of 7 metres
To calculate the overall width and length of your car and caravan/trailer you need to access a vehicle manual or you can check with a tape measure.
Learn more about what you can tow here.The Cheapest Isn't Always the Best
I'm going to buy a second-hand towbar because it's cheaper.
I'm going to buy a universal wiring kit because it's less expensive.
I'm going to fit my towbar and wiring kit even though I'm not confident.
Going for cheaper options could prove dangerous. While it may be tempting to purchase a second-hand towbar, you don't know the history and whether or not it's been properly maintained. If the towbar has been damaged in any way, it may not fit securely to your vehicle, increasing the likelihood of an accident.
A universal wiring kit is cheaper than a vehicle-specific one. If your vehicle doesn't heavily feature modern technology or built-in safety mechanisms, a universal wiring kit may suit you. However, using a universal wiring kit to install a towbar onto a more up to date make and model could bypass the safety features. Safety features usually account for the extra weight that the towbar is pulling. So, while a vehicle-specific wiring kit may be more expensive, a road accident is far more costly.
While you could fit your towbar by yourself following the manufacturer's instructions, most people will struggle to do this and guarantee that their towbar is 100% safe to use. That's why it is best to get your towbar fitted by a professional.
Choose Witter Towbars for Peace of Mind
Witter Towbars has been designing and manufacturing high-quality towbars for over half a century. There are three reasons why purchasing a towbar from us is a safer option:
We are the only manufacturer in the market to produce both towbars and wiring kits that meet vehicle-specific requirements. That means both products are designed, developed and tested to Regulation 55.
We have our very own towbar fitting service. Find your nearest approved fitting service and get your towbar fitted to the highest possible standard.
We have a dedicated helpline available to all Westfalia customers. If you have a query or need advice on towbar maintenance, we are always there to help.
Are you thinking about buying a towbar? Take a look at our resources to find out more about towbar safety
