Towbar, recovery point, and cycle carrier questions

[joecuba]

Another quickie!

My current Thule 3 bike carrier JUST fits onto the Surf, but it rubs on the spare wheel plus I can only use 2 of the 3 slots:




You can see there isn't room for a bike in the 1st slot, esp when you take into account pedals have to go there.

I am wondering if there is anything that can extend my towball back about 5 inches, and maybe up a couple as well? Like a towball extender?

Also, by current towbar setup is quite low:




I'm wondering if there is a better towbar setup i can bolt on that gives me more ground clearance, or even the possibility to remove the ball and mount?

Also I am wanting a recovery point at the back. If I get one of those combined towballs and pins, would that be ok for tow ropes?

Finally, are these the kinda things I can get fabricated? Looks like straightforward box section steel cut and weld to me. Any laws?

[joecuba]

Bump, any advice appreciated!

[Maverick]

You can get a spacer plate that moves your ball back a bit. Just visit any trailer specialist, or try towsure.

Don't think you can raise your mounting at all, because it looks like to frame that your towball bolts onto is welded to the towbar cross member.

As for towing useing the towbar point, you'll probably be ok. I've got an adjustable towbar mount and have towed quite a few vechicles on that, admitedly they were'nt completely stcuk in the mire.

[joecuba]

Thanks Maverick.

I see spacers that are 25mm at Towsure. They say that longer than 25mm may be no good for towing.

I had in mind more like a 5 inch extender, possibly with a built in upward angle. I'm sure I saw one on ePray Australia. Looks like that is not common in the UK, and also it would be no good for towing.

I see Towsure Surf towbar http://www.towsure.com/product/12845...urf_KZN185_96- has two eyes welded to the bar, I presume these are for tow points? Would I be better to weld on a similar thing to mu towbar? i was thinking about taking ot off and cleaning it up / painting it in any case.

[Maverick]

Been thinking about this abit, and measuring mine, I've managed to get 4 1/2 inches thanks to the height adjustable hitch and spacer.


This is the back plate of the hitch, where the towball used to be attached, the holes enable height adjustment, I got it after lifting her so the trailer would still be level.


This is it alltogether, you can see the spacer I got from the trailer specialist near me in Cadnam (New Forest), I needed it because my sisters caravan hitch rubbed slightly.


This is the veiw from above, gives a slightly better perspective.


And finnally this is how I've towed people, just slip the tow rope around the two pins, secure the safety pins (not shown) and off you go (and they follow).

The adjustable hitch wasn't cheap about £80 from a place that actually builds and services trailers (I can't remember their name but it's the major name in trialer chasis).