A tow bar question

Post Reply
User avatar
JP147
Junior Member
Posts: 239
Joined: Tue Dec 03, 2013 5:01 pm
Location: Port Adelaide, SA

A tow bar question

Post by JP147 » Sun Jan 04, 2015 6:06 pm

I got a new tow bar from u-pull-it for $11 and it is longer and lower than the old one so the trailer should clear the electrical socket. The problem is that it doesn't have a place for shackles like the old one, just a hole which you can see in the pictures.

Image

Image

What would be the best option? Screw something into the hole to hold the shackles? Weld something on? Something else?

Thanks
Image

User avatar
TOONGA
Elder Member
Posts: 5335
Joined: Sat May 30, 2009 10:15 am
Location: Australind closer to where they divided by zero
Contact:

Post by TOONGA » Sun Jan 04, 2015 7:47 pm

A chain link welded to either side of the bar is normal practice. you could use a piece of flat bar with 2 chain links welded to it and bolted through the hole, but remember what ever you use the chain is the "safety" if the tow ball fails.

TOONGA
Image
PJ Gone but not forgotten
JETCAR AKA the sandwedge Rusted in pieces

User avatar
Nubaru
Junior Member
Posts: 165
Joined: Fri Jan 10, 2014 8:02 am
Location: within the girth

Post by Nubaru » Sun Jan 04, 2015 9:00 pm

yes, what TOONGA says - safety - there are some new laws about safety chains on towbars in some states at least - the chain needs to be the particular safety chain grade, stamped every few links. Your best advice would surely come from a trailer/caravan joint rather than a forum where anyone almost can make a mistake advising.

I don't have current safety chain on my trailer, but considering to cover my safety duties. I also have a hole drilled in my towbar tongue, but more to one side. I use a trailer rated D bolt to hook my trailer draw bar chain to tongue.

Depending on how deep the the D bolts U shape is, determines how far a hole it will reach
member since 10january2014 #6191

User avatar
Subydoug
Junior Member
Posts: 988
Joined: Wed Feb 08, 2012 10:19 pm
Location: Carlisle WA

Post by Subydoug » Sun Jan 04, 2015 9:26 pm

Mine has chain links welded onto the sides. Welded on properly and you wont have a problem.

Regards

Doug

User avatar
Brumby Kid
General Member
Posts: 1297
Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2011 9:19 pm
Location: Belair S.A.

Post by Brumby Kid » Sun Jan 04, 2015 10:24 pm

The shackles you use now have to be rated... I know that much

Which U-Pull-it did you go to? I'm assuming Gillman. Anything interesting there? Lonsdale is kinda boring at the moment.

Cheers Cam
When life gives you a corner, drop a gear, pitch, and stomp the loud pedal
Bianca: 1991 Subaru Brumby
My First / Project car

EA81 Rebuilt by Tony Knight from knight Engines
2" body lift
25" 185r14 Yokahama Delivery Star, light truck tyres
2" Sports exhaust
Rear Aguip step/bar
Liberty seats
"Bianca"
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Dads Car: 02 Impreza WRX STi
Mums Car 08 Liberty Wagon

User avatar
Nubaru
Junior Member
Posts: 165
Joined: Fri Jan 10, 2014 8:02 am
Location: within the girth

Post by Nubaru » Mon Jan 05, 2015 6:37 am

just reading BrumbysKid sign ature - a race engine ? and truck tyres ?
member since 10january2014 #6191

User avatar
JP147
Junior Member
Posts: 239
Joined: Tue Dec 03, 2013 5:01 pm
Location: Port Adelaide, SA

Post by JP147 » Tue Jan 06, 2015 9:32 pm

Thanks guys, I will go to a trailer shop and see what they recommend. I don't have trailers of my own, but I will tow other people's and rented ones so I am not worried about the chain.
Image

User avatar
dfoyl
Junior Member
Posts: 717
Joined: Mon Aug 28, 2006 12:13 pm
Location: Victoria eastern suburbs

Post by dfoyl » Wed Jan 07, 2015 11:30 am

Interestingly enough, welded chain is seen as weaker than d-shackles: http://www.transport.tas.gov.au/__data/ ... r_VSB1.pdf
1989 Brumby - Shiny new red paint, stroked EJ20 phase 2 SOHC with Darton sleeves bored to EJ22, Wiseco high-compression pistons, Delta 2000 grind cams , EJ/XT6 5 stud with WRX 4/2 pots, 5-speed, 86 GTS seats and so much more.
Contact me for reproduction XT6 hubs...and EA82 rear discs.

User avatar
Brumby Kid
General Member
Posts: 1297
Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2011 9:19 pm
Location: Belair S.A.

Post by Brumby Kid » Fri Jan 09, 2015 4:35 pm

Nubaru wrote:just reading BrumbysKid sign ature - a race engine ? and truck tyres ?
Race engine? Lol I wish. The only thing that's race about it is the way I thrash it.
Well almost. What's been done to it and continuing to be done could be considered a race engine. Probably the most race like EA81 out there except for Silver Bullet's twin carb thats been rebuilt and sitting in the shed.
When Tony built mine he knew what it was going to be used for. Open country roasds/ 4wding etc. I will upload dyno pics Monday after the Weber is rejetted/ tuned and dynoed. Where I originally took it managed to fail but it still made decent power from them.

Cheers Cam
When life gives you a corner, drop a gear, pitch, and stomp the loud pedal
Bianca: 1991 Subaru Brumby
My First / Project car

EA81 Rebuilt by Tony Knight from knight Engines
2" body lift
25" 185r14 Yokahama Delivery Star, light truck tyres
2" Sports exhaust
Rear Aguip step/bar
Liberty seats
"Bianca"
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Dads Car: 02 Impreza WRX STi
Mums Car 08 Liberty Wagon

User avatar
MudLark
Junior Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2011 2:40 pm
Location: Melton South /VIC 3338

Post by MudLark » Sun Jan 11, 2015 12:35 pm

I believe any welding on this type of structure needs a certified welder! A hole with shackle is safer and easer than welded on link anyway.

User avatar
JP147
Junior Member
Posts: 239
Joined: Tue Dec 03, 2013 5:01 pm
Location: Port Adelaide, SA

Post by JP147 » Sun Jan 11, 2015 1:27 pm

That's good because I didn't really want to do any welding on it anyway.
Image

Post Reply

Return to “Suspension - shocks, springs and upgrades”