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We've got a Fiat base and an Alko chassis on an Autotrail. It came with a towbar that I'm never likely to use.
The towing hook is the lowest point at the back of the van and is almost a foot behind the corner steadies (which are the next-lowest points). I have grounded the hook on two occasions, on quite modest ramps in the road, because of the long overhang on the Mohican.
Ever mindful of the weight of the vehicle I have to say that the very substantial bar looks heavy and I wonder if it's better removed. I see that it's held on by six bolts, and there's the wiring of course, and all in all it doesn't look difficult to take off.
Does anyone have opinions on the pros and cons of removing it?
I took my full-width tow bar off my MH to paint it as the plastic coating has split - staggered at the weight - 25Kg for the bar, plus tow ball extra. There are two arms which attach to the chassis further forward, probably another 3-5kg there.
It might be worth you leaving the wiring in place, but seal it in a plastic bag and cable-tie it to the chassis just in case you change your mind.
We've got a Fiat base and an Alko chassis on an Autotrail. It came with a towbar that I'm never likely to use. ...Does anyone have opinions on the pros and cons of removing it?
Pro - you save weight
Con - you open yourself to rear shunt damage
My biggest fear is the latter and the likely hood of my MH being written off by the insurance company by the cost of repair. A PVC may be fixed by a panel beater but the ally/foam core/ply wall of mine cant be. If it is written off I doubt I will be able to find the same layout at the insured price. Therefore I will be adding rear shunt protection rather that a tow bar as I never have the intention of towing anything.
Thanks all.
Reckon I'll take it off and save it.
I presume taking it off doesn't alter the basic strength/stability of the chassis, and it doesn't need replacing by a cross-member?
I removed the entire tow bar from my Sundance 630L a fortnight ago. I can only say that I am staggered as to the weight of it. It was manufactured by a company Towtal. I managed to take it off myself with the aid of a couple of axle stands. I cannot lift it off of the ground on my own.It was after putting my van on a weighbridge that I took the decision. Very much like your van I have a very large overhang and the loading on the rear axle was very close to the limit with the van almost empty.
As for the electrics I have just screwed the socket to the underneath of the van.
My only problem is that the rear stabilisers were mounted on the towbar so now I am in the process of finding an alternative method of attaching these.
I know that I am now more susceptible to rear end damage but with my luck if I was hit somebody would question the van weight and invalidate my insurance.
We removed our PWS towbar but left the electrics in a plastic bag strapped to the chassis it weighed 50kg and gave us some more payload but we have stored it just incase sorry this is late but have been scanning the towing section to see if anyone has come up with a answer to the a-frame v trailer debate but am totally confused
Hi, i agree with the last post if you have a long motorhome leave it on,it will save you a lot of problems,i have seen the rear of a van come off on a bumpy road , and uneven ground i.e campsites,also damage due to reversing, the strongest thing on your van is possibly the towbar,little bit of weight but piece of mind,regards harvey.
Fortunately, I seem to be able to just keep inside the rear axle weight with the towbar in situ, and since I have grounded it a few times, e.g. reversing into a steep field in the dark, I am inclinded to keep it.
THOUGHT (just the one)
Is there a case for a 'protector' welded to the rear-end of the chassis, just below the line between the rear wheels and the lowest part of the rear bodywork? This could be lighter than a towbar and, being mounted further forward, would not have such a detrimental effect on the moment on the rear axle loading.
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sorry this is late but have been scanning the towing section to see if anyone has come up with a answer to the a-frame v trailer debate but am totally confused
