These are photos of the towing paraphernalia on my Cube. I believe it is a detachable ball hitch but it was not included with the car.
Any knowledgeable people on here who can give a positive ID?
I may break out the welder and go down the self fabrication route.
------------- Knowledge is recognising that a tomato is a fruit: experience is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Sorry can't help identify what you've got fitted, but a troll through the limited number of towbar manufacturers options may reveal something.
AFAIK, for vehicles registered since 1998 towbars have to be Type Approved and labelled with certain info, so DIY construction/modification would not be permitted. Towbars also now fall under MOT testing regs, so anything not complying may well result in failure if the tester is pedantic (and I have had MOTs done by total pedants!). Of course, roadside checks although rare do also happen when a 'safety campaign' is under way, that may well mean your towing journey stops right there, until discrepancies are rectified!
You'd probably get away with a DIY job if the welding looked acceptable, but technically you'd leave yourself wide open to falling foul of 'somebody', it may be your insurer in the case of an accident if they inspect the car and find a non-compliant tow bar, they love to find a 'get out' of paying out on a claim!
Most of the cost in towbars is the fitting and electrics, so if you can buy the metalwork and fit yourself, a complete new towbar may not be too budget busting.
I was thinking along the lines of 1/8" square tube with an o/d the same as the gap with a 3/16 mounting plate welded to take the ALKO ball head that I have spare. Drilled to take a cotter & split pin as used by the old tractors it will hold the arm securely in place between the existing mounts and be stored when not in use allowing the number plate to drop into place. Welding is not a problem, steel fabrication and welding was my first apprenticed job, I have kept my hand in.
Post last edited on 08/10/2022 12:47:33
------------- Knowledge is recognising that a tomato is a fruit: experience is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Quote: Originally posted by starcraft on 09/10/2022
Quote: Originally posted by bessie500 on 08/10/2022
All you need to do is buy a swan next towball bar and bolt it on
They are on eBay
Bessie
Have you seen the prices. Unless you found cheaper, £90 is the cheapest for a bolt on swan neck ball.
My method is around a fiver :)
But it still wouldn't be strictly legal!
As a pretty handy design engineer myself I could do all the calculations and material choices to ensure safety, and construct to a adequate quality, but it still wouldn't meet with anyone's approval as not officially type approved after undergoing the rigorous testing regime to get approval!
I certainly see your point of view and desire for value, but I also dislike things that potentially come back and bite me on the bum at the most inconvenient times! For an MOT say, you could unbolt the DIY swan neck then on the basis of 'if it's not fitted they can't assess' you would be safe from risk of failure. Not a lot you could do about a roadside check or insurance company inspection after an accident though! For me, it's about a wider value than just the upfront price tag, but everyone to their own.
I'm not considering making a DIY swan neck.
A short straight tube of the exact same material as used in the main 'type approved' construction, with a mounting plate arc welded to the towing end. A Land Rover type drop plate for height adjustment with the ALKO ball completing the job, all attached with 'type approved' bolts.
It will pass mot and any scrutiny (roadside or other), tow my very light plastic trailer but most importantly, my meagre state pension will stretch to it :)
------------- Knowledge is recognising that a tomato is a fruit: experience is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Thanks Bessie, I'll look into it, no rush. I've asked the ebay seller for the width where the bolts go. As for towing a tonne, I can tow my little trailer with a push bike :)
Post last edited on 10/10/2022 15:44:19
------------- Knowledge is recognising that a tomato is a fruit: experience is not putting it in a fruit salad.
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
After waiting way past the delivery date with the words "Dispatched" still on the tracker, Hermes/Evri have lost the parcel.
See https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/business/23025988.people-suffolk-struggling-get-evri-delivery/ I have received a refund from the seller but I'm back to square one. Just the complete towbar assembly is available, the companies will not sell just the swan neck.
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Topic: Tow hitch ID
via mobile 08/10/2022 at 11:34am
