How to Connect a Towbar

Tow bars are far safer than towing with a rope.

Being able to connect a tow bar could be the difference between getting home and spending the night by the side of a road. A tow bar is a far safer means of towing a vehicle than using rope, and it will fit almost any vehicle. To be able to connect a tow bar, the towing vehicle must have a trailer hitch fitted at the rear.

Things You'll Need

• Tow bar

Instructions

1. Reverse the towing vehicle so that its rear is about 4 feet from the front of the disabled vehicle. Apply the emergency brake on the vehicle to be towed.

2. Fix the coupler at the front of the tow bar to the trailer ball hitch at the rear of the towing vehicle. Place the T-J bar at the rear of the tow bar into the shipping slots on the underneath of the disabled vehicle. Pull the tie-down straps that are linked to the T-J bar through the hand ratchets on the tow bar.

3. Release the emergency brake on the disabled vehicle and pull it toward the tow vehicle, manually, using the tie-down straps. When the bumper of the broken-down vehicle is flush with the tow bar bumper stops, stop pulling and secure the excess straps using the Velcro bindings.

4. Attach the tow bar safety cable in case one of the tie-down straps breaks during towing. The safety cable hooks onto the shipping slots at the front of the broken-down vehicle and rear of the towing vehicle. The two vehicles are now connected.

References

• American Towbar: Installation Instructions