Types of Tow Bars

Steve takes a look at the 4 towbar options available in the UK with the pros and cons of each, to help you choose the right one for you. 

Towbars, are a very useful commodity on cars, not only for towing a trailer, caravan or boat but they can also be used to mount cycle racks and add extra strength to a vehicle in the case of a rear end shunt. Here are the 4 most common towbar types available: 

Fixed Flange Towbar

Pros: 

• Often the cheapest towbar style.
• Can be used with a cycle carrier even when towing. 
• Tow ball can be upgraded to be used with AL-KO stabiliser. 
• Pin system can be installed for towing plant trailers or generators. 
• Can be used with height adjustable couplings, spacers or drop plates to adjust the towing height or clearances. 
• Can be fitted with a bumper protection plate. 
• Can be fitted with a butterfly step on commercial vehicles. 

Cons: 

• Can interfere with parking sensors
• Can look unsightly compared to other Towbar options
• Both tow ball and electrics can be seen at all times on the vehicle. 

Detachable Flange Towbar

Pros: 

• Can be used with a cycle carrier. 
• Tow ball can be upgraded to be used with Al-Ko stabiliser. 
• Pin system can be installed for towing plant trailers or generators. 
• When detached the tow ball won't affect parking sensors 

Cons: 

• Detachable towbars are more expensive than their fixed counterparts. 
• If you loose the neck attachment they are often expensive to replace. 

Fixed Swan Neck Towbar

Pros:

• Look more sleek than the flange type towbar. 
• Can be used with towbar mounted cycle carriers. 
• Becoming increasingly popular both here and in Europe. 
• Compatible with stabilisers. 
• Less likely to interfere with parking sensors. 

Cons: 

• More expensive than a flange type towbar. 
• Cannot use cycle carriers whilst towing. 
• Cannot fit couplings, steps or height adjusters on all variants of swan neck towbars. 

Detachable Swan Neck Towbar

Pros: 

• Can be removed making the vehicle appear to not have a towbar. 
• When removed it will not affect rear parking sensors. 
• Look more sleek than the flange type towbar. 
• Can be used with towbar mounted cycle carriers. 
• Becoming increasingly popular both here and in Europe. 
• Compatible with stabilisers. 
• Lock into place to prevent it from being stolen. 

Cons: 

• Usually the most expensive type of towbar. 
• Height cannot be adjusted.
• Tow balls cannot be changed. 
• If you loose the neck they are expensive to replace. 

Less common Towbar types:

Automatic Vertical Detachable Towbar

This type of towbar allows the neck to be inserted vertically but when removed makes the towbar invisible. When installed it locks into place to prevent theft. 

Compact Detachable Towbars

Made by Westfalia this type of towbar neck fits horizontally and also locks into place. 

Electric Swivelling Towbar

Also made by Westfalia this type of towbar is electronically adjusted from inside the car. 

Automatic Horizontal Detachable Towbar

Just like the vertical detachable towbar this is also invisible when the neck is removed and as the name suggests it's inserted horizontally. 

Pin System and Nut System Towbars

Both are similar to a normal detachable towbar except being locked into place with a pin or but as apposed to a key. 

Overview

I'm sure you'll agree there's a wide selection of towbars available to cater for all uses and budgets and I hope I've made it clearer for you when choosing your next towbar.