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old iron
Joined: 22 Mar 2016 Posts: 185
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Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2021 3:37 pm Post subject: Bespoke tow bar build/fit |
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I’m looking for a business or individual who can make and fit a tow bar to my
Austin 16/6 of 1934 vintage. I do know of a business in Norfolk but they are a 140 mile round trip, hope to find somebody closer to home in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. Leads appreciated |
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Rick Site Admin
Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22446 Location: UK
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Peter_L
Joined: 10 Apr 2008 Posts: 2680 Location: New Brunswick. Canada.
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Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2021 7:36 pm Post subject: |
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Don't tow bars now have to be "certified". ? |
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Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6310 Location: Derby
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Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2021 9:30 pm Post subject: |
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Peter_L wrote: | Don't tow bars now have to be "certified". ? |
Only applies to tow bars fitted to vehicles registered before August 1st 1998. Before that anything goes. |
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Penman
Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4756 Location: Swindon, Wilts.
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Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2021 9:43 pm Post subject: |
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Ray White wrote: | Peter_L wrote: | Don't tow bars now have to be "certified". ? |
Only applies to tow bars fitted to vehicles registered before August 1st 1998. Before that anything goes. |
Ray don't you mean:
AFTER Aug 1st 68? _________________ Bristols should always come in pairs.
Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10 |
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Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6310 Location: Derby
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Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2021 10:27 pm Post subject: |
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Penman wrote: | Ray White wrote: | Peter_L wrote: | Don't tow bars now have to be "certified". ? |
Only applies to tow bars fitted to vehicles registered before August 1st 1998. Before that anything goes. |
Ray don't you mean:
AFTER Aug 1st 98? |
Sorry, my mistake. AFTER Aug 1st 1998 all vehicles are required to fit a legally approved tow bar. Before that you can, if you want, fit a tow bar to your own design. It might be advisable, however, to check with your Insurance Company first. |
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Penman
Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4756 Location: Swindon, Wilts.
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Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2021 11:04 pm Post subject: |
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Hi
The method that seems to have been used a lot was a piece of steel mounted behind the bumper (between them if it only had quarter bumpers) that looked like it was the same stuff as leaf springs. This would be bolted to both the bumper support brackets on each side and then the hitch was bolted in the middle, through the bumper if it was a full width one.
That way any impact from behind is generally being pushed onto the chassis fore and aft members but a spring steel cross member would also take some of the shock out if hit in the middle. _________________ Bristols should always come in pairs.
Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10 |
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alanb
Joined: 10 Sep 2012 Posts: 516 Location: Berkshire.
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Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2021 1:13 pm Post subject: |
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It would very much depend on what you want to tow, a small light trailer May we’ll need nothing more the a bracket made from angle iron attached to the existing bumper bracket, if you want to tow something heavy like a caravan then you will need something designed by someone who knows what they’re doing. Many years ago my father towed a camping trailer with his series IIa Hillman Minx all he did was fit a piece of 2in wide 1/8” thick mild steel bar about a foot long behind the rear bumper and tow ball, he never carried more the 5cwt and never had a problem, though anything heavier might well have caused damage to the bumper and its anchorage. The tow bar on my modern Mercedes is a very substantial affair with multiple point fixings but it is designed to tow up 1,500kg and 75kg down force. _________________ old tourer
Morris 8 two seater |
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old iron
Joined: 22 Mar 2016 Posts: 185
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Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2021 2:44 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you to all respondents, unfortunately I do not have a blacksmith in our area Rick.
I’m going to be towing my vintage caravan it weighs in at around 9cwt I reckon.
Looks like I might have to o the long drive into deepest Norfolk, but I know they will do a good, albeit expensive job. |
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alastairq
Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 1952 Location: East Yorkshire
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Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2021 3:46 pm Post subject: |
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The other problem is, will the prime mover be happy stopping the whole shebang? _________________ Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
----------------------------------------------
Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces. |
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alanb
Joined: 10 Sep 2012 Posts: 516 Location: Berkshire.
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Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2021 4:54 pm Post subject: |
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Stopping a vintage caravan is not such an issue if the overrun brakes on the van are working as they should, once the tow car starts to slow the caravan brakes start to work. I found that even just changing down a gear was enough to apply the brakes on my old early 60’s sprite alpine. _________________ old tourer
Morris 8 two seater |
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peter scott
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7118 Location: Edinburgh
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Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2021 8:13 pm Post subject: |
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alanb wrote: | Many years ago my father towed a camping trailer with his series IIa Hillman Minx all he did was fit a piece of 2in wide 1/8” thick mild steel bar about a foot long behind the rear bumper and tow ball, he never carried more the 5cwt and never had a problem, though anything heavier might well have caused damage to the bumper and its anchorage. |
I hope old iron will forgive the OT reply..
I did the same to my Series II Minx and towed my father's boat with it.
Peter _________________ http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon |
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old iron
Joined: 22 Mar 2016 Posts: 185
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Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2021 1:51 pm Post subject: |
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alastairq wrote: | The other problem is, will the prime mover be happy stopping the whole shebang? |
It’s a good point, I have used vintage cars previously towing vintage caravans and have learnt to drive to the limitations accordingly. Of course if a dog runs out into the road under the wheels nothing is going to stop in time. So it’s bigger gaps and watching well ahead what’s occurring |
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RotaryBri
Joined: 20 Dec 2007 Posts: 465 Location: Warwick
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Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2021 12:52 am Post subject: Towbars |
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You need to contact Watling Engineers as they will make a towbar to fit any Vintage or Post Vintage car.
Contact them at https://www.watling-towbars.co.uk/towbars.html _________________ Keep Torqueing,
RotaryBri
1976 NSU Ro80 |
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old iron
Joined: 22 Mar 2016 Posts: 185
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Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2021 5:29 pm Post subject: Re: Towbars |
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Thank you for link, I have emailed them and await reply. |
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