Towbar FAQs
What is a Fixed Flange Towbar?
A fixed flange towbar describes the shape of the towbar. First, the “flange” is fixed directly underneath the bumper of your vehicle. The towball/towbar is then attached to the plate with either 2 or 4 bolts.
What is a Detachable Flange Towbar?
A detachable flange towbar refers to the shape of the towbar neck and plate. First, the “flange” is fixed directly underneath the bumper of your vehicle. The towball/towbar is then attached to the plate with either 2 or 4 bolts. This model can be easily detached.
What is a Fixed Swan Neck Towbar?
A fixed swan neck towbar refers to the shape of the towbar which is a long curved neck, like a swan neck. Both the neck and towball are in one piece and the neck emerges from underneath the bumper so most of the metal is hidden from view.
What is a Detachable Swan Neck Towbar?
A detachable swan neck towbar is curved like the shape of a swan neck. The towbar design is sleek and flows straight into the towball, so the whole towbar is in one piece. There is no faceplate and the towbar can be removed from underneath your bumper when it is not being used.
What is a Retractable Towbar?
A retractable towbar is a slim, swan neck shaped, towbar which can rotate beneath your bumper when you are not using it. The towbar neck and towball are all in one piece and you can easily rotate it by hand in seconds, where it will sit in the space between the rear panel and bumper of your vehicle.
How do I know which towbar type I need?
Registration search. Towbars are vehicle specific. This means that the options available to you may be limited by the make and model of your vehicle. Fortunately, we offer registration and vehicle search. Simply enter your car registration details and find the specific towbar for your car.
How much warranty do I get on my towbar?
Our towbars come with a lifetime guarantee.
Is there a towbar available for my car?
Simply enter your car registration details and find the specific towbar for your car.
Can my towbar be stolen?
Detachable towbar necks have a lock fitted that will prevent theft. Fixed necks are permanently bolted to the crossbar but have no locking mechanism, so a very crafty thief could steal a fixed neck but it's unlikely to happen.
I lost the key to my detachable towbar, what do I do now?
We offer replacement keys for all detachable towbars which can be found in the accessory section.
Does every type of towbar fit under my car?
No. Towbars are vehicle specific. This means that the options available to you may be limited by the make and model of your vehicle.
Can I use my towbar after an accident?
No. A towbar involved in an accident should not be used. The metal connection to your bumper could be weakened in an accident and will likely be void.
If you have had an accident and the rear of your car was damaged it is highly likely that your towbar and towbar neck were also damaged. Damage can normally be identified visually by deformation, unnatural dents and movement on the fixing points.
Having said that, even though your towbar might not have obvious damages, we would recommend replacing the towbar and towbar neck as the impact of the accident may have caused micro-cracks that are not visible to the eye. Cracks weaken the structure of your towbar and will lead to failure. We would, therefore, recommend the full exchange of your towbar when you have been involved in an accident even if it is not visibly damaged.
Does fitting a towbar affect my warranty?
No. Under EC competition law, car manufacturers and dealerships are not legally allowed to prevent or hinder aftermarket suppliers from working on new vehicles. This means that as long as you buy a towbar approved by EC 94-20 Type Approval, then a towbar will not affect your warranty. All towbars sold by Trail are approved by EC 94-20 Type Approval.
Your website states my car isn't homologated to tow. What does that mean?
This means that the vehicle manufacturer has deemed that the model is unsuitable for use as a tow vehicle. You can double check this information by referring to the vehicles VIN plate.
How do I know what my car can tow?
The maximum towing capacity for each vehicle is set by the manufacturer. This information can be found on the Vehicle Identification Plate (VIN plate). The VIN plate can usually be found under the bonnet or on a door pillar.
It has 4 lines of numbers:
- 1st Line - 2500kg - Gross Vehicle Weight
- 2nd Line - 4800kg - Gross Train Weight
- 3rd Line - 1250kg - Maximum front axle load
- 4th Line - 1300kg - Maximum rear axle load
The maximum towing capacity can be calculated by subtracting the gross vehicle weight from gross train weight. If the Gross Train Weight is 0 or it is equal to the Gross Vehicle Weight, then your vehicle is not capable of towing.
How do I install a towbar onto my vehicle?
All our towbars come delivered with full installation instructions. We always advise people to have their towbar installed by a professional.
Will my car need a bumper cut?
With modern vehicles, the bumper very often continues right underneath the vehicle, and this could require a cut to be made in the lower edge of the bumper to allow the towbar to protrude through.
Will the towbar from my old car fit my new car?
Every towbar is designed specifically for the vehicle, so a model change frequently requires that a new towbar is fitted.
Why do towbar prices vary so much?
This will depend on a number of factors - whether you want a fixed or detachable towbar, whether you require single or twin electrics, or a 13 pin socket arrangement, whether your vehicle requires a vehicle specific wiring kit and if the caravan you are towing has an ALKO stabiliser which requires a specialised towball to be fitted.
My car has rear parking sensors, what is the best bar to fit?
We would recommend that you purchase a detachable towbar system and remove the neck when not in use.
My car dealer says my warranty will be invalid unless I fit the manufacturer’s towbar, is this true?
This is not true. You have the option to fit a different brand of towbar and, as long as it is Type Approved, this will not invalidate your vehicle’s warranty. European Type Approval regulations were introduced to provide standardised quality and free trade. This means that if an external brand is deemed to be of the same quality as the vehicle manufacturers’ components (i.e. it is Type Approved), then it is entirely safe and legal to use and does not void the vehicle’s warranty.
Can I fit my own towbar or is it better to ask a professional?
If you wish to fit your own towbar you can do so, as long as you have the required tools/equipment and have a working knowledge of the vehicle’s electrical systems. The towbars need to be installed according to the instructions provided and it may be easier to just hire a trained professional to install it for you.