Which towbar ? (1 Viewer)

ShiftZZ

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Feb 19, 2008
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I am considering adding a towbar to the Rapido (Fiat base).

There are several types.
Flangeball Towbar
Swan Neck Towbar

etc


What is the best one, I am thinking of adding a bike rack (electric bikes, I think are too heavy for the normal bile rack).

Any suggestions?
What would be the approx cost of fitting?
 

beachcaster

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Dec 18, 2010
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a few years
I am considering adding a towbar to the Rapido (Fiat base).

There are several types.
Flangeball Towbar
Swan Neck Towbar

etc


What is the best one, I am thinking of adding a bike rack (electric bikes, I think are too heavy for the normal bile rack).

Any suggestions?
What would be the approx cost of fitting?

Cant help on the model dave

but do I feel an A frame in the wind ??:)

barry
 

Geo

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Jul 29, 2007
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45 +years with breaks
Without a doubt go "conventional" and you will find racks to suite your every need
Go swan neck or removable and you will be stumped
as for cost ,they vary depending on make and model of motor home and chassis type
circa £300- £700 all in
Geo

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Welsh girl

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We have two electric bikes on our bike rack with the batteries taken out, each weighs 22 kilo and the weight limit on the rack is 60 kilo we are well within the range.
 
May 16, 2010
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I'm just designing and then building my own towbar to fit my Ducato base....

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hilldweller

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I'm just designing and then building my own towbar to fit my Ducato base....

Where do you begin ?

I've looked under mine and there is nothing substantial for about a metre then the FIAT chassis.

How to you work out the stresses on something like that ?

Failure does not bare thinking about.
 
Last edited:

scotjimland

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I'm just designing and then building my own towbar to fit my Ducato base....

all tow bars had to be type approved .. can you have that done ?

European Law now states that all light passenger vehicles registered on or after 1st August 1998 require a type approved towbar tested to EC94/20 and towball with suitable D&S value. This is not retrospective and does not affect any vehicle registered before this date. Other vehicles not subject to type approval are ~ commercial vehicles, car derived vans and motor caravans.

Fitment of a non type approved towbar on a vehicle registered on or after 1st August 1998 could result in prosecution and in the event of an accident the vehicles insurance could be invalidated.

EDIT

just noticed it doesn't apply to motor caravans

In replay to the Dave's question.. agree with Geo ..

get a flange tow hitch, the swan neck looks pretty but makes it difficult to add a bike carrier
 
Last edited:

old-mo

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Get some "Roller Skates"..... Dave....

A lot Cheaper and easier to stow.... :Cool::thumb:

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May 16, 2010
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Where do you begin ?

I've looked under mine and there is nothing substantial for about a metre then the FIAT chassis.

How to you work out the stresses on something like that ?

Failure does not bare thinking about.

Esentially I found a van the same as mine with a towbar fitted profesionally.....took a load of photos and some measurements......simples...It was on the same ALCO extension as mine....doddle...
 

aba

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one piece of advise i will give is to make sure that the towbar does not hang too low under the van as this can make for problems.

the one i had fitted to mine hung down where the ball flange bolted to the crossbar although it was only around 3 inches it did ground out on several occasions so after removing the assembly and having it altered so it is level with the rear chassis its not a problem.

if you have a substantial overhang the risk of grounding is increased quite a lot due to the leverage.

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Feb 4, 2010
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...I am thinking of adding a bike rack (electric bikes, I think are too heavy for the normal bile rack).


Come on....we're not that stupid. First the towbar...





...then the trailer...






...and finally






ShiftyandGraham_zps2d60aba4.jpg
 
Apr 18, 2009
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Not long enough!
Come on....we're not that stupid. First the towbar...





...then the trailer...






...and finally






ShiftyandGraham_zps2d60aba4.jpg


You both look as if you have been driving them for years:winky::thumb:
oh and my van has a Towtal fitted with a nice strong bumper as well, I can vouch for how strong it is as I reversed into a brick wall with it, not hard but hard enough to have damaged a normal bumper so it saved me some money without a dought:thumb: and if your van has a looonnng overhang as someone has said, then this will save your skirt as I have done that to a hire van as well :Blush:

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Last edited:

pappajohn

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Esentially I found a van the same as mine with a towbar fitted profesionally.....took a load of photos and some measurements......simples...It was on the same ALCO extension as mine....doddle...
certainly is Derek.

i made my own for an alko chassis ducato.

hardest part was measuring for the holes in the side plates to match the alko chassis mounting holes while maintaining the correct towbar position....never drill holes in an alko chassis for any purpose.
 

TheBig1

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towbars for alko chassis are one of the only models available off the shelf. others have to be designed on a per model basis which makes them more expensive
 

pappajohn

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towbars for alko chassis are one of the only models available off the shelf. others have to be designed on a per model basis which makes them more expensive
Not for a DIY one.....from memory mine cost around £40 for the 60mm box section (3mm wall thickness) and 2 x 10mm mounting plates, £20 for professional welding (my welding skills just aint good enough :Sad:) a handfull of M12 bolts/nuts and a tin of paint....already had a new flange ball.
plus around 8 hrs of my time designing it and cutting the steel to size

around £70 for complete tow bar :thumb:

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Feb 9, 2008
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I used this company to fit my towbar, professional affordable Job

http://www.uk-towbars.net/en/contact-us

After a lot of research, I have just bought this:
Link Removed

I've purchased the carrier only and it will give me the option of varying the load that i will carry. e.g. spare wheel. spare wheel and bike, bike and safari room etc.

I can buy the add on's as and when I need them i.e. bike rack etc.
 

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