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Tow bar tips
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buzzy bee



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 3382
Location: South Cheshire

PostPosted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 1:03 am    Post subject: Tow bar tips Reply with quote

Hi

my job this week is to fit a tow bar, well make a tow bar too! I don't actually want it for towning trailers, just mounting a bike rack on, and for pulling the old car out of the shed, so it will have a pickup hitch attachment.

I am fitting it onto a Peugeot 306 Hatchback, anyone got any tips, before I get it up on the ramps, and start fabricating the bracketry. I take it I am to mount it to the boot floor with spreader plates inside, and maybe to any rails underneath, that look suitable?

Cheers

Dave
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ukdave2002



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4232
Location: South Cheshire

PostPosted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 7:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Dave, most modern cars have mounting points for tow bars,normally for the side plates, which should make things a bit easier.
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47p2



Joined: 24 Nov 2007
Posts: 2009
Location: Glasgow

PostPosted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 8:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Might be worth popping into your local towbar dealer and having a look at some schematic diagrams
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Brian M



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 783
Location: Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

PostPosted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 9:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dave

I would definitely get to see where a genuine tow bar is attached to the car. Either talk to a tow bar supplier to see if you can get a look at the design, or find a car that has one fitted - for a 306, breakers yards may be a good place.

I once saw a tow bar that had ripped the rails off the back of a Datsun/Toyota type of car as the rails were designed only to collapse in a rear end shunt and not to pull anything and a home made tow bar was not transferring the loads correctly.
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1970 Volvo Amazon and 1978 Safari 15-4 Caravan
Classic Safari Forum: www.classicsafaris.co.uk
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buzzy bee



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 3382
Location: South Cheshire

PostPosted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 10:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi

I have a diagram from the net, that shows roughly where it has to go, but I am not going to have time to go to a yard, could perhaps ring a company up and have a chat, but they will probably just give me a diagram like I have if I am lucky.

I need the mounting plate for my bike rack next weekend, so it is something that will be done each night after work. I supose the other thing is to ask some of the mechanics at work, what they think.

Cheers

Dave
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Penman



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4850
Location: Swindon, Wilts.

PostPosted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 1:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

hi
I hope you are going to use a trailer board for lights and number plate.
It is amazing how many cyclists think that glimpsing the lights a reg through two or three wheels/frames is sufficient.
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buzzy bee



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 3382
Location: South Cheshire

PostPosted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 6:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi

I will indeed, I have lots of trailer boards that I am able to use.

Cheers

Dave
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buzzy bee



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 3382
Location: South Cheshire

PostPosted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 7:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi

What are the regulations for having bicycles on racks that stick out eitherside of your car, is this ok?

Cheers

Dave
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Penman



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4850
Location: Swindon, Wilts.

PostPosted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 7:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi
I think they come under the standard abnormal loads regs.

Quote:
An abnormal load fits any of these categories:

A loads projecting more than 305mm (12in either side of the vehicle).
A vehicle or load exceeding 2.9m (9ft 6in) in width.
A vehicle or load exceeding 18.3m (60ft) rigid length.
A motor vehicle, trailer and load together exceeding 25.9m (85ft) in length.
A load projecting more than 3.05m (10ft) over the front or rear of the vehicle.
A vehicle or vehicle and load exceeding 76,2000kg (75 tons) gross weight.
so you should be alright if less than 12" protruding.
from http://www.iam.org.uk/motoringtrust/news/archive/2004/abnormalloadscouldjamupthenetworksaysaamotoringtrust.htm

I believe the max distance of rear position lights from the edge of the vehicle is 100mm for the outer edge of the lights.


Last edited by Penman on Sun Oct 12, 2008 9:22 pm; edited 1 time in total
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buzzy bee



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 3382
Location: South Cheshire

PostPosted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 9:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi

And I supose that is past the widest point, my wing mirrors?

I will have to widen a tail board or build some lights into my rack perhaps, could turn into quite a fancy rack this! hehe

Cheers

Dave
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buzzy bee



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 3382
Location: South Cheshire

PostPosted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 11:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi

Well the towbar is on, took all of 50 mins, handy having a ramp.

Cheers

Dave
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