Removable tow bar - is there such a thing

[Nigel Thomas]

We have a 2016 Hymer Exisis and want to take our motorcycle with us when we eventually are able to return to Europe.

The tow bar requires and extension to enable it to fit the ALKO chassis correctly

We want to be able to take the whole thing on and off as required. It weighs in at about 70+kg so it eats into our weight limit rather too much

Does anyone know of a removable (easily) tow bar

Thanks

 

[John H.]

A 70 Kg towbar right on the rear end of an Exsis will change the handling quite noticeably.

 

[Geo]

Not seen one with press studs yet just lots of nuts and bolts and there easy to remove

 

[Gaston aires]

If your thinking of attaching an “easy lift“ type scooter rack then removable tow bars are a no no. Towing on a trailer might be OK.

 

[Wannabee]

We have a 2016 Hymer Exisis and want to take our motorcycle with us when we eventually are able to return to Europe.

The tow bar requires and extension to enable it to fit the ALKO chassis correctly

We want to be able to take the whole thing on and off as required. It weighs in at about 70+kg so it eats into our weight limit rather too much

Does anyone know of a removable (easily) tow y

We have a 2016 Hymer Exisis and want to take our motorcycle with us when we eventually are able to return to Europe.

The tow bar requires and extension to enable it to fit the ALKO chassis correctly

We want to be able to take the whole thing on and off as required. It weighs in at about 70+kg so it eats into our weight limit rather too much

Does anyone know of a removable (easily) tow bar

Thanks

You may already realise this, but the removable towbars only allow the end part to be removed, not the whole thing for payload reduction. The main structure, even if it were removable, would be so heavy due to its construction that you couldn't remove easily.

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[Landy Andy]

Some cars have QR tow bars, but, tow bars on later vehicles must be type approved, so you can’t just go about making up your own, and comply with the rules, if they concern you.

 

[BillyKontiki]

Not only eating into your payload, what about your rear axle max weight.
And dose the 70kg tow bar include your motorcycle.
Think a trailer would be the way to go.

 

[John H.]

Not only eating into your payload, what about your rear axle max weight.
And dose the 70kg tow bar include your motorcycle.
Think a trailer would be the way to go.

I think the OP intended to use a towbar to pull a trailer.

I certainly hope so. (but, even, so, 70Kg is too much that far behind the rear axle)

 

[cmcardle75]

We have a 2016 Hymer Exisis and want to take our motorcycle with us when we eventually are able to return to Europe.

The tow bar requires and extension to enable it to fit the ALKO chassis correctly

We want to be able to take the whole thing on and off as required. It weighs in at about 70+kg so it eats into our weight limit rather too much

Does anyone know of a removable (easily) tow bar

Thanks

Generally removable tow bars just refer to the removable ball at the end (maybe 5-10kg tops) to keep it out of the way so it looks nice and pretty and doesn't skin your shins. All the heavy structure stays put.

 

[Roger20]

We have a factory fit towbar on our Exsis T 588 and use it for exactly your reason - towing a bike trailer.

There is far more to this than meets the eye. If like us you are on an Alko light chassis you could be borderline 3500kgs - we certainly are. Consider firstly that at the towball, the leverage effect of noseweight will be considerably more than you might think. We have repeatedly weighed front/rear axles and when towing we are within 20kgs of the axle weight limit of 2000kgs as well as 3500kgs. To achieve this I had to make a frame to take the spare wheel out of the garage and fit it on the trailer, positioned so that I achieved a noseweight of around 40-50kgs.

I never appreciated until too late that with a rear bed/garage arrangement and water tank behind the back axle, it just isn't possible to load weight onto the front axle.

Trying to do all this and keep within 3500kgs is very borderline, but just about possible.

Removing/refitting the towbar when you don't want to tow might just be possible but would be a lot of work and you would still need to consider what to do with all the electrics/cables.

You can achieve an extra 200/250kgs axle weight limit by going semi-air on an Alko chassis but it will cost £2-3k and mean you need to replate for say 3850kgs, with consequent implications.

You probably need to know exactly what axle weights you are currently running at, fully loaded and then go from there.

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[Nigel Thomas]

Thank you everyone for your replies, especially andyjc

We have come to exactly that conclusion.

andyjc, can I clarify - did swapping to air suspension give you an extra 250kgs? WOW

 

[mitzimad]

all tow bars are removeable some need an angle grinder or gas axe but they are all removable

 

[Roger20]

Thank you everyone for your replies, especially andyjc

We have come to exactly that conclusion.

andyjc, can I clarify - did swapping to air suspension give you an extra 250kgs? WOW

Did you mean me or andyjc who 'liked' my post?

 

[Speve]

A 70 Kg towbar right on the rear end of an Exsis will change the handling quite noticeably.

We had an Exsis I 698 with towbar and no difference in handling at all

 

[Speve]

I think the OP intended to use a towbar to pull a trailer.

I certainly hope so. (but, even, so, 70Kg is too much that far behind the rear axle)

What rubbish we towed a car trailer to the top end of Sweden and back with our Exsis I never missed a beat and towed brilliantly

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[Roger20]

What rubbish we towed a car trailer to the top end of Sweden and back with our Exsis I never missed a beat and towed brilliantly

I agree - no difference at all. Many vans have even longer rear overhangs and additional weight without handling problems.