Towbars Aftermarket Upgrade
We can fit any type of towbar to most types of vehicles, whether its for towing a caravan, trailer or horsebox. Types can vary but the main types are Flange & Swan Neck Towbars either fixed or detachable. You can choose from universal or vehicle specific wiring electrics which conform with manufacturers warranty. The vehicle specific wiring is coded to activate the vehicles safety features whilst towing.
All towbars come with a lifetime warranty and 12 month electrical wiring warranty.
Fixed Flange
The most commonly used type of towbar in the UK is the flange towbar. The tow ball is bolted to the towbar with two 24mm bolts. This is the most versatile design of towbar because it can be used with tow ball mounted accessories i.e. cycle carriers, bumper protectors & all types of stabilisers, all mounted between the towbar & ball.
Benefits of the fixed flange towbar are:
- Capable of using accessories like some models of cycle carriers whilst towing
- Price, flange towbars tend to be cheaper
- Capable of fitting a towbar and pin system required to pull plant trailers and generators
- Capable of fitting a bumper protector plate
- Capable of using height-adjustable couplings, drop plates and spacers to get different towing heights and clearances
- Capable of putting a butterfly step on (mainly used on commercial vehicles)
- Tow ball can be upgraded to be used with an AL-KO stabiliser
Things to consider before purchasing a fixed flange towbar are:
- If your vehicle has parking sensors fitted, the parking sensors may think that the towbar is an obstacle when in reverse
- The look of the towbar on the back of your car, they are not as aesthetically pleasing as other styles
- Banging your legs on the towbar when utilising your boot or walking around the vehicle
- Both the towbar and electrics can be seen when looking at the vehicle
Detachable Flange
Detachable flange towbars have all the benefits of a fixed flange towbar with the additional option to remove when not in use.
Benefits of the detachable flange towbar are:
- The neck of the towbar can be removed leaving the vehicle looking like there is not a towbar fitted and towing capacity is the same as a fixed bar.
- If parking sensors are fitted to a vehicle the detachable towbar will not interfere once removed
- You will not bang your legs or trip on the towbar when utilising your boot or walking around your vehicle when the neck is removed
- Capable of carrying any tow ball mount cycle carrier
- Compatible with AL-KO and other friction style stabilisers (once the paint is removed off the 50mm ball section)
- Neck mechanism locks to the vehicle to stop it being stolen
- Capable of fitting a tow ball and pin system required to pull plant trailers and generators
- A choice of towing couplings and accessories can be fitted
Things to consider before purchasing a detachable flange towbar:
- If you lose the neck at any point they are expensive to replace
- Price, detachable towbars can be more expensive than fixed towbars and detachable swan necks Detachable flange tow ball necks are heavier than detachable swan necks
- Detachable flange tow ball necks look less sleek when fitted
Swan Neck
In the E.U. the most common towbar type is the swan neck towbar. This is where the tow ball and the neck are all one piece of the towbar. This type of towbar is becoming more popular in the U.K. due to the appearance of the bar looking neater and with the bar being narrower it is less likely to trigger your parking sensors. This type of bar is a little less versatile than flange style; you can either tow or attach a cycle carrier but you can’t use both at the same time. The swan neck towbar can also be used with an AL-KO stabiliser without the need for modification. The swan neck type is available in both a detachable than fixed style.
Benefits of the swan neck towbar are:
- More aesthetically pleasing than a flange style towbar
- More chance of the parking sensors not picking up the towbar when in reverse (but not a guarantee)
- Compatible with AL-KO and other friction style stabilisers (once the paint is removed off the 50mm ball section
- Price is very competitively priced compared to its detachable counterpart
- Capable of carrying all types of ball mount cycle carriers
Things to consider before purchasing a fixed swan neck towbar:
- If your vehicle has parking sensors fitted, the parking sensors may think that the towbar is an obstacle when in reverse
- Banging your legs or tripping on the towbar when utilising your boot or walking around your vehicle
- Some necks are not as adaptable as the flange style i.e. cannot fit height adjusters, steps and couplings
- Towing and using a towbar mount cycle carrier at the same time is not possible
- Can be more expensive than a flange depending on make and model.
- A detachable swan neck towbar has all the benefits of a fixed swan neck towbar with the additional feature of being removed when not in use. Allowing for a cleaner look on the rear of a vehicle when not towing anything.
Detachable Swan Neck
Detachable swan neck towbars have all the benefits of a fixed towbar with the additional option to remove when not in use.
Benefits of the swan neck towbar are:
- The neck of the towbar can be removed leaving the vehicle looking like there is not a towbar fitted and towing capacity is the same as a fixed bar
- If parking sensors are fitted to a vehicle the detachable towbar will not interfere once removed
- You will not bang your legs or trip on the towbar when utilising your boot or walking around your vehicle when the neck is removed
- Capable of carrying any tow ball mount cycle carrier
- Compatible with AL-KO and other friction style stabilisers (once the paint is removed off the 50mm ball section)
- Neck mechanism locks to the vehicle to stop it being stolen
Things to consider before purchasing a detachable swan neck towbar:
- If you lose the neck at any point they are expensive to replace
- towbar height cannot be altered
- Alternative tow balls cannot be fitted
- Price, the swan neck type towbars are more expensive than flange towbars