If you are considering installing a tow bar on your car there are a few things you will need to consider, first of all you will need to decide what type of tow bar you want to install. There are 3 main types of bar on the market:

Flange: This type has a tow ball bolted to the tow bar itself, the tow bar is fixed and visible at all times. Flange types are generally the cheapest available.

Gooseneck – This type looks better than the flanged tow bar as the tow ball is built into the neck of the tow bar that reaches under the car, although this tow bar is always visible.

Detachable – There are several types of detachable tow bars, but they all share the same feature that they can be removed when not in use. Many high-end car owners choose this type of tow bar because it helps maintain the aesthetic design of their car, but allows for the added functionality of a tow bar when needed.

Tow Bar Mount Options

Once you have decided which type of tow bar best suits your needs, the next thing to consider is the installation of the tow bar on your car. All tow hooks require an electrical kit, the newer your vehicle, the more it will cost to repair any damage to the car’s electrical system. If you make a real mess, then your insurance company could write off your vehicle. If you are inexperienced with automotive electrical then it is advisable to get a tow bar installer with service time to fit the bar. Costs vary depending on a number of factors including:

• Make and model of your car.
• Type of tow bar you are installing.
• Electric option you have chosen.

It’s a good idea to speak to a qualified tow bar installer before purchasing your tow bar, as they can not only advise on electrical but also the brand and type of tow bar that best suits your needs.

electric tow bar

Choose the type of electricity you need. There are three different types of electricity you can choose from. 7-pin electrics (single electrics), 12n/12s electrics (twin electrics), or 13-pin electrics. The type of electricity you will need will depend primarily on the nature of what you want to tow. Caravans and bike racks require different electrical kits. It then gets more confusing with the inclusion of bypass relays in the equation. They ask me ‘Do I need a bypass relay?’ and ‘What does he do?’ much. As a general rule of thumb, if your vehicle was made after 2004/2005, you will probably need a bypass relay. A bypass relay is a bulb failure management system, when using a universal electrical kit it needs to be spliced ​​into the power at the rear of the vehicle and because you are diverting power from circuits that already exist sometimes the The vehicle’s on-board computer may misinterpret this as a problem and display a warning light on the dash telling you there is a problem with your lights. A bypass relay keeps this current constant so the warning light doesn’t appear on the dash unless there really is a problem.