Towbars

As Hexham’s Leading Towbar Specialist, we can supply and fit towbars for any type of vehicle and application.

First of all, we need you to decide on which type of towbar you would like fitted to your vehicle. This can be a minefield, but we’ve broken it down for you to describe some of the details and benefits of the different types.  

Flange Towbars

Fixed Flange Towbars 

Fixed flange towbars are usually the cheapest option. They also come with a number of benefits, including:

  • They’re capable of the addition of certain accessories like some cycle carriers that bolt between the flange and the ball
  • They’re capable of carrying any towball mounted cycle carrier
  • They’re capable of accepting a “ball and pin” system required to pull some plant and generator trailers
  • They can be fitted with a bumper protection plate
  • They can be used with height adjustable couplings, drop plates and spacers to get different towing heights and clearances
  • They can be fitted with a step between the flange and the ball
  • The towball can be upgraded to the type required for an AL-KO stabiliser

Some things to consider before choosing a fixed flange towbar:

  • If your vehicle is fitted with rear parking sensors, the sensors may think there is an obstacle in the way when reversing
  • The look of the vehicle with it fitted - generally fixed flange towbars are not as aesthetically pleasing as other styles - both the towbar and electrics can be seen when looking at the rear of the vehicle
  • They can stick out further, increasing the chance of hitting your legs when walking past or accessing the boot

Detachable Flange Towbars

Detachable flange towbars have all of the benefits of the fixed flange, but give you the option to remove the flange when not in use

  • The neck of the towbar can be removed, giving the impression that there isn’t one there
  • Towing capacity is the same as a fixed flange
  • If the vehicle has rear parking sensors, the detachable towbar won’t interfere with them once the neck has been removed
  • You won’t bang your legs when walking past or accessing the boot when the neck has been removed
  • Capable of carrying any towball mounted cycle carrier
  • Compatible with AL-KO and other friction style stabilisers (once the paint has been removed from the 50mm ball)
  • Neck mechanism locks to the vehicle to prevent theft
  • They’re capable of accepting a “ball and pin” system required to pull some plant and generator trailers 
  • A range of towing couplings and accessories can be fitted

Some things to consider before choosing a detachable flange towbar

  • If you lose the neck they can be expensive to replace
  • Price - Detachable towbars are generally more expensive than fixed towbars
  • Detachable flange towball necks are heavier than detachable swan necks
  • Detachable flange towball necks look less sleek when fitted

 This is how it will look:

 

Swan Neck Towbars

Fixed Swan Neck Towbars 

The swan neck Towbar is the most common type of towbar in the EU. The benefits of choosing a fixed swan neck:

  • Neater and more aesthetically pleasing looking appearance than the flange style
  • Narrower so it is less likely to cause parking sensors to go off 
  • Cheaper price than a detachable swan neck towbar
  • It can carry all types of ball mount cycle carriers
  • Compatible with AL-KO stabilisers

Some things to consider before buying a fixed swan neck towbar:

  • While the risk is reduced with this type of towbar, there is still a chance that parking sensors will be triggered when in reverse
  • Can be more expensive than a flange style, depending on the make and model
  • Risk of banging your legs when walking around your vehicle or using the boot

Detachable Swan Neck Towbars

Detachable swan neck Towbars have all the benefits of a fixed one, with the added advantage of being able to remove the towbar when not needed

  • The neck of the towbar can be removed, giving the impression that there isn't one there
  • Once removed, there will be no interference to parking sensors
  • Once removed, there is not danger of hitting your legs when walking around your vehicle or using the boot
  • It is able to carry any ball mount cycle carrier
  • Compatible with AL-KO stabilisers
  • Neck mechanism locks to the vehicle to prevent it from being stolen

 Some things to consider before buying a detachable swan neck towbar:

  • If you lose the neck it can be expensive to replace
  • The towbar height can not be altered
  • Detachable Towbars are more expensive than fixed ones
  •  Alternative tow balls can not be fitted

This is how it will look:

 

 

Towbar Electrics

It is important to consider the type of electric socket you require when deciding to fit a towbar, this generally depends on what you are going to be towing. There are three different types of electric sockets to choose from; single 7 pin, twin 7 pin, and 13 pin. 

Single 7 pin

Single 7 pin electrics (12N towing electrics) is the most basic type of electrical socket, it is what is needed to power the lights (left and right indicators and tail lights, fog lights, and brake lights) on whatever you are towing. This is the most common and cost effective type of connector, it fulfils all normal towing requirements under UK law. 

Twin 7 pin

Twin electrics is a 2 plug system that combines the single 7 pin 12N electrics socket with a 12S electric socket. This type of electrics is mainly used with older caravans, it provides more power than single electrics if you have a pre 2008 manufactured UK caravan. The twin electrics powers everything that a single 7 pin electrics does as well as reversing lights, battery, power supply, and fridge. 

13 pin 

13 pin electric sockets are the most modern type of towing electrics that are mainly used when towing caravans, all EU post 2008 caravans are fitted with this type of electric connector. A 13 pin electric socket is essentially twin sockets in one rather than 2, it does everything a 7 pin electrical socket does as well as connecting advanced features such as trailer stability control and providing power to appliances inside the caravan (e.g the fridge), and reversing lights.

 

If you're still unsure of what you need, give us a call and we will help you get sorted with exactly what you require. 

Please note we do not fit towbars pre-bought by the customer.

If you would like to receive a quote for a towbar fitting, please fill in the form below. Making sure to include the make, model and year of the vehicle, whether you would like a fixed or detachable towbar, and which electrics you require.

Towbar Quote