Complicated towbar

Saw this next to me at the lights this morning:-




Looks very 'busy' - I'm guessing it's all to do with fitting an adaptor to take the lower arm, but what does that do?

Started with an M16, then used an M12, finally using an M8...................

Luvvin it..

Cheers

I always felt that the Disco 2 "plough plate" tow bar (STC50319) looked more like the biz than the later types



And while it's not easily adjustable, the tow ball height can be altered if required.

The bit at the bottom looks like the old style blade stabiliser.

brianconwy said:

The bit at the bottom looks like the old style blade stabiliser.

Click to expand...

+1 - popular on caravans some while ago until the advent of the ALKO type hitch which uses friction on the towball itself...

We have An alko stabiliser on our caravan but have never had one on the horse trailer. Stabilisers are not common on horse trailers. I wonder why.

I did wonder if it was a stabiliser, but it looks to be below the hitch, rather than beside it - or is that how they are? Can't really tell from the photo.

brian47 said:

I always felt that the Disco 2 "plough plate" tow bar (STC50319) looked more like the biz than the later types
And while it's not easily adjustable, the tow ball height can be altered if required.

Click to expand...

I find that is a really good set up, works really well with the cattle float or the flatbed! I didnt have to adjust mine, gave just the right height and noseweight for my trailers with standard tyres! Almost wonder if they measured some Ifors during the design process.

Spong said:

I did wonder if it was a stabiliser, but it looks to be below the hitch, rather than beside it - or is that how they are? Can't really tell from the photo.

Click to expand...

It is supposes to damp any up and down movement of the trailer drawbar. I have seen similar on older vehicles. not a newer one like that.

I doubt if it is effective, and the whole thing looks cumbersome, and puts the towball even further behind the line of the back axle, which doesnt make for a nice tow.