tow bars

[DANNY8]

I got a heavy duty tow bar from a wrecker, but it won't fit with my exhaust (twin pipes). It has the frame which is bolted behind the rear bar, but it also has a bar going under the tank and bolts to the chassis on each side between the tank and diff.

Anyone know if I can just chop the bar off which goes under the tank and just bolt the main section up like a normal towbar? I figured it's prolly made to have the load across all four points, and it might not like having all weight on the front two points, but not sure. Anyone know?

[pablo]

That sounds as if it's the higher rated bar. The factory 1200k one I fitted just bolted on the back where the strengthening bar bolts behind the plastic bumper. I don't think anybody is going to suggest you cut anything off, BUT, compare it to a lesser rated bar, and decide for yourself.

[DANNY8]

Yeah rekon I'll just wait till I can find another one....just to be safe. Don't want it breaking off down the road lol.

[QldKev]

I know when I was getting one fitted to my VX they had a 1250kg, 1600kg and a 2100kg options

1250kg was a flat tounge style
1600kg was a reece style
2100kg was same reece setup with the additional bar

QldKev

[DANNY8]

Thx mate. How is the weight calculated? Like if I was to get a 1600kg reece style bar, could I still tow a car and trailer on the back? Overall it's more then 1600kg's, but most of that weight is over the axles on the trailer, not the towbar, so would that make it fine?

Any idea wat else is normally included in the 1600kg and 2100kg towing packs? Pretty sure it's just heat shields, external trans cooler and rear shocks hey? Can ya get those bars which go in the boot either side like in the VN's?

[acarmody]

I wouldn't use a bar beyond its rating. Imagine the stress on the bar when you slam on the anchors, all the weight is directed straight down the towbar, which is probably why the 2100kg bar has additional support.

[QldKev]

The 1250/1600/2100 is the total weight being towed. Generally they are only rated to 10% of that for down pressure on the towbar. I don't think I would like to go far with a trailer over weight.

I'm not sure about the different setups (like the VN style) to fit the newer cars, these are just the ones I looked at new when I was getting one. I did start looking at second hand but the wreckers wanted about $100 less than a new price; and the new price was fitted?

The place that fitted my 2100kg one did not add in any extra trans coolers, heat sheilds etc. I would not tow a big weight with out the trans cooler.

QldKev

[pablo]

If the gross combination towed weight, that is the total all up weight of trailer AND load, exceeds 750 Kilograms, brakes must be fitted to the trailer. This law was brought in several years ago.

[graham7773]

OldKev, I just looked under my VT Acclaim bonnet which came without a tow bar. It has transmission oil cooler tanks in both ends of the radiator and a separate trans oil cooler in front of the radiator in series with the oil coolers in the radiator, all look original. This may be just me but I think putting another trans oil cooler in would be overkill. By the way, the tow bar I now have is the massive Hayman Reece 2100kg model.
Danny8, the bar going forward serves 2 purposes. One, it stops the tow bar twisting and two it reduces fore and aft flex in the tow bar lowering metal fatigue and breakage risk. Cut it off but let me know first as I would like to stay out of your way on the road

[QldKev]

Maybe you had a factory fitted towbar? My LS1 VX Berlina, only has the trans lines into 1 side of the radiator and no external oil cooler. Which reminds me I need to pull my finger out and put the cooler on.

QldKev (with a Q for Queensland)

[graham7773]

QldKev, there was no tow bar on my car when I got it. My son and I installed the Hayman Reece tow bar (cheaper than paying the $899 rrp for it) and there was no sign of a tow bar previously installed. I will just take the transmission cooling system as a bonus I don't have to pay for.

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

It should still fit regardless of the exhaust. Have fitted plenty of heavy duty towbars and once they are fitted, never foul on the exhaust. It might look like it will hit, but they fit pretty high and out of the way.

[DANNY8]

Thx for all the info guys. I'll try and get some pics of it and show how it's gonna hit. I don't wanna chop it up, just incase something does happen, don't really wanna risk it.