Inspect you towbar every now and then

[Rotazuk]

Since most people use there 4x4 to tow I figured I would post this up here .
Short story is my co worker pulled his tow ball off to steal my 50mm ball . When he removed it , it was loose and hard to remove the nut . Thats because the shank was bent , due to it being a 3/4 shank ball in a 7/8 tounge . He imported the vehicle from Japan and had the towbar installed by toyota

Also we had a major getting the removable tounge out , after said worker said he had it out not so long ago ( transpired to a couple of years ) . It finally came out but is rather rusted and not in good shape .

So keep an eye on your tow balls and make sure they are not loose and if you have a removable tounge either only install it when needed or remove them frequently and rust treat them .

Chris

[callum007]

And check the bolts on the bar!
My dealer fitted bar seemed to have 4/10 bolts only hand tight after 2 months. Even last week, vehicle is nearly 3 years old, I got another turn out of half of the bolts. Granted I do often carry heavy loads, but can you recall the last time you checked yours?

[QUADRACER]

Factory tow bar on my 2011 ford ranger had elongated the removable tongue
Around the pin, only done 28000 Kms .
Notice the new model has a different design .

[Suza]

I do a lot of heavy hauling and replace the tow bar mounting bolts every 2years and the tow ball. Properly over kill but it makes me feel better. I also I also check them for tightness (including tow ball) every service. I also change between 3 balls regularly depending on what I am hauling - 1 7/8, 50mm and 60mm, when I change them I always check them after a 10or so km's down the road

[mudlva]

I do a lot of heavy hauling and replace the tow bar mounting bolts every 2years and the tow ball. Properly over kill but it makes me feel better. I also I also check them for tightness (including tow ball) every service. I also change between 3 balls regularly depending on what I am hauling - 1 7/8, 50mm and 60mm, when I change them I always check them after a 10or so km's down the road

i bought a interchangeable ball system from appco

as im going from 1 7/8 to 50mm all the time
they come out as std 19mm or 25mm stud
this save changeing the complete unit all the time and the ball locks in place by a 1/4 turn and a locking tab
the 25mm unit is rated to 3t stamped onto the base, pretty encouraging as std towball units dont normally have anything stamped on them

[Suza]

I do a lot of heavy hauling and replace the tow bar mounting bolts every 2years and the tow ball. Properly over kill but it makes me feel better. I also I also check them for tightness (including tow ball) every service. I also change between 3 balls regularly depending on what I am hauling - 1 7/8, 50mm and 60mm, when I change them I always check them after a 10or so km's down the road

i bought a interchangeable ball system from appco

as im going from 1 7/8 to 50mm all the time
they come out as std 19mm or 25mm stud
this save changeing the complete unit all the time and the ball locks in place by a 1/4 turn and a locking tab
the 25mm unit is rated to 3t stamped onto the base, pretty encouraging as std towball units dont normally have anything stamped on them

I looked at something similar a while ago but because I use 3 different size's and 60mm is odd it didn't work for me

[callum007]

From memory, those change-a-ball things come factory on newer landy disco's. well thats were I got one from, very handy