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Towbar
Towbar
by Iroc-2 » Mon Sep 12, 2016 10:41 am
Hi, looking at fitting an Autocraft towbar to my splitty.I like think that I will need the attachable one that fits over the top of the bumper, as my van has been lowered. Any advice on this subject would be gratefully appreciated. Fitting for example.
cheers
cheers
Iroc-2
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Re: Towbar
by etiennevert » Mon Sep 12, 2016 5:25 pm
Ive just fitted one - cracking bit of kit and easy to install. My bus is lowered a couple of splines at the rear and i just went for the standard (non swan neck) under bumper tow ball set up. Mainly cos it was the cheapest option but also figured i could change it if needed.
I have had no problems with it being too low... only ground coming out of my drive which is stupidly steep. Towed a dandy tent nice and level no problem. Think the ball is approx 35 cm from the floor... can check if it helps.
Knowing that it works i kind of wish id gone for the swan neck as it looks a bit more proper.
I have had no problems with it being too low... only ground coming out of my drive which is stupidly steep. Towed a dandy tent nice and level no problem. Think the ball is approx 35 cm from the floor... can check if it helps.
Knowing that it works i kind of wish id gone for the swan neck as it looks a bit more proper.
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Re: Towbar
by type21f » Mon Sep 12, 2016 6:37 pm
If you look on the site the fitting instructions are on the details page as .PDF files.etiennevert wrote:Ive just fitted one - cracking bit of kit and easy to install. My bus is lowered a couple of splines at the rear and i just went for the standard (non swan neck) under bumper tow ball set up. Mainly cos it was the cheapest option but also figured i could change it if needed.
I have had no problems with it being too low... only ground coming out of my drive which is stupidly steep. Towed a dandy tent nice and level no problem. Think the ball is approx 35 cm from the floor... can check if it helps.
Knowing that it works i kind of wish id gone for the swan neck as it looks a bit more proper.
I am STOCK height with removable..great piece of kit excellent..
viewtopic.php?t=78497&start=30
G
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Re: Towbar
by Iroc-2 » Mon Sep 12, 2016 7:36 pm
Just measured the floor to the bottom of my bumper, it's 7.5 inches Will I need a swan neck or standard ball
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Re: Towbar
by etiennevert » Mon Sep 12, 2016 9:23 pm
Thats about the same height as mine to bottom of bumper. Like i say mine is the fixed plate and the top of the tow ball is 35 cm from floor. I think the swan neck would sit at same height with same clearance underneath.
I seem to recall that there are guidelines/specifications about minimum ball height and 35/36 cm was as low as is advised iirc.
From my experience i havent had any problems with the height but i wouldnt want it any lower. My dandy tent sits level with the van when all hitched up. The removable plate was going to be my plan b if current set up was too low.
Hope this helps
I seem to recall that there are guidelines/specifications about minimum ball height and 35/36 cm was as low as is advised iirc.
From my experience i havent had any problems with the height but i wouldnt want it any lower. My dandy tent sits level with the van when all hitched up. The removable plate was going to be my plan b if current set up was too low.
Hope this helps
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Re: Towbar
by skipps » Mon Sep 12, 2016 11:21 pm
Hi me and my brother have both fitted the autocraft tow bars I have the detachable swan neck and he opted for over the top, But my brother has since changed to the same as mine because he was concerned that if you have a big problem like an engine fire or engine problem you can not open your engine lid with out first unhitching your tow then detaching the tow bar all very valuable time, hope this helps you on your final choice .... skipps
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Re: Towbar
by type21f » Tue Sep 13, 2016 6:03 am
^^^^ Very good point.skipps wrote:Hi me and my brother have both fitted the autocraft tow bars I have the detachable swan neck and he opted for over the top, But my brother has since changed to the same as mine because he was concerned that if you have a big problem like an engine fire or engine problem you can not open your engine lid with out first unhitching your tow then detaching the tow bar all very valuable time, hope this helps you on your final choice .... skipps
I have the detachable one and thus when not towing this would have no issue of distance to floor.
Maybe that will swing your choice.
Only low when you tow.
Dave says he needs a Step ladder to get in my stock bus..
My Fire truck is 2" over stock..
Gives me nose bleeds.
G
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Re: Towbar
by Iroc-2 » Tue Sep 13, 2016 6:15 am
Thanks for all your help on the subject, much appreciated.
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Re: Towbar
by BeetleBus » Thu Sep 15, 2016 8:41 am
Iroc-2 wrote:Hi, looking at fitting an Autocraft towbar to my splitty.I like think that I will need the attachable one that fits over the top of the bumper, as my van has been lowered. Any advice on this subject would be gratefully appreciated. Fitting for example.
cheers
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Re: Towbar
by Iroc-2 » Thu Sep 15, 2016 10:57 am
Anyone got any pictures of the ride height when towing their puck. Want to get it as level as possible. Seen one at Busfest and the towbar was way to high, tipping the puck backwards.
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Re: Towbar
by Claushema » Thu Sep 15, 2016 3:02 pm
something like this? Stock height/Autocraft swan neck.
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Re: Towbar
by Kevin Sharpe » Thu May 07, 2020 11:51 am
Can anyone comment on the legality of fitting a towbar on a split in the UK? We're doing some TV filming which features towing and I don't want to give anyone a stick to beat us with
Many thanks!
Many thanks!
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