Wobbly tow bar

[GoldenVision]

We had a towbar fitted on our previous Fiat Ducato panel van onto which we fitted a carrier for our scooter. But it always seemed very wobbly.

Are there different types of towbar fitting for the Ducato? I seem to remember the fitter saying that towbars on coach builds were always more stable.

And does anyone have recommendations for towbar fitters? Happy to travel.

 

[David and Sally]

Our Burstner tow bar wobbled up and down a bit but it did have a long overhang to overcome.

 

[dash300]

We had a towbar fitted on our previous Fiat Ducato panel van onto which we fitted a carrier for our scooter. But it always seemed very wobbly.

Are there different types of towbar fitting for the Ducato? I seem to remember the fitter saying that towbars on coach builds were always more stable.

And does anyone have recommendations for towbar fitters? Happy to travel.

I would have thought the other way round! Anyway my Fiat PVC towbar is solid as a rock with 2 ebikes on their towball rack.

 

[Mikeco]

The one fitted to my PVC had no movement but the weight allowed on it was only 75 kg, if your scooter is heavier than that then it may not be the correct one.

 

[David and Sally]

Have used these on two Moho bars. Excellent service and quality.

Towing Equipment | Towcraft Ltd

Based in Rowley Regis, we supply and fit towbars for most passenger and light commercial vehicles.

www.towcraft.co.uk

And these on a Ford Kuga. Again, excellent.

Fastfit Nationwide | Towbars | Witter, Tow Trust, PCT | Bromsgrove | Worcester | West Bromwich

Fastfit Nationwide Towbars, depots Bromsgrove & West Bromwich and all surrounding areas. Worcester, Stratford, Redditch, Droitwich, Birmingham, Stourbridge, Dudley, and Wolverhampton. Witter, Tow Trust, PCT, Westfalia, all major brands.

www.fastfitnationwide.co.uk

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[GoldenVision]

Thanks for the comments. And I'll give those two links a try.

 

[dash300]

Thanks for the comments. And I'll give those two links a try.

My fitters are I know the other end of the world from you but an their website is informative.

Tow-Bars-UK | The UKs premium and leading Tow-Trust Suppliers | Towbars UK | Towbar Fitting | Devon Towbars

 

[CamperManLez]

We had a towbar fitted on our previous Fiat Ducato panel van onto which we fitted a carrier for our scooter. But it always seemed very wobbly.

Are there different types of towbar fitting for the Ducato? I seem to remember the fitter saying that towbars on coach builds were always more stable.

And does anyone have recommendations for towbar fitters? Happy to travel.

The Ducato panel van has very secure mounts for tow bars, they come from the factory with the bolt positions ready at the end of the frame rails. For scooters (heavy) you need to pick the right load rating to match the weight being supported. If its any help I have my Boxer Van (same chassis as Ducato) fitted with a heavy duty 'Westfalia' towbar rated at 150kg. They are not cheap at around 300+ quid (that price is about 4 years back) but they come with all the certification info and at 150kg can easily hold both the scooter carrying rack and the scooter (my assembly is 24kg rack and 125kg scooter). Try PF Jones in Manchester or just specify to the supplier you want a 150kg load capacity. My assembly does not flex. Good luck.

 

[Guigsy]

The bar on my previous Ducato PVC was about 50kg of solid steel. It was about 120mm deep and 8mm thick plate in a V shape from the back of the rails. It was probably the strongest part of the chassis.

 

[Bertilak]

For comparison, look at the design of towbars for Promasters (US built rebadge of Ducato). As the US a) tow trailers massively more nose heavy, and b) don't seem to worry about max vehicle or trailer weights, they seem much stronger where the attach to the chassis.
Unfortunately I don't think they are legal for towing here, not being "E marked". They also use the 2inch square bar "towing receiver" system, again not approved in Europe unless there is no alternative (though it would be ok on a US import monster pickup).
Theoretically you could get one and use the system to carry scooters, where there are no Eu rules. Just don't put a tow ball on... (even though it would be legal for a 4 ton trailer across the pond.

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