There are moments when you will need to tow your vehicle, and when these moments come, it is better to be ready. If you are into camping, your RV will be your tow vehicle for your other car most of the time. Before buying a tow bar, you will need to factor in many things. Luckily, we will talk about those very things and more in this article. We will let you in on the best tow bars for towing any vehicle you may need to tow. Welcome to the world of tow bars. First, what are they?
What are Tow Bars?
A tow bar is one of the main accessories you need when pulling another vehicle. The two vehicles need to be connected when towing, and that is where tow bars come in. Tow bars ensure the pulling happens safely without the vehicle veering off the road or snapping off. The tow bar needs to be compatible with the tow vehicle and the car being towed behind.
For safety, tow bars have parts that you must watch for when buying a tow bar. Customers know very little about these parts, and we will talk about them later in this article. You need to watch out for types of tow bars when buying a tow bar. The types include the flange ball tow bars and the swan neck tow bars.
There are two ways of towing your car. One way uses a flat tow, and the other uses car dolly towing. Your preference will inform the type of tow bar you will hook onto your vehicle. Generally, flat towing is preferred by many people compared to car dolly towing.
Best Tow Bar
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1) Blue Ox Tow Bar
Blue Ox BX7420 Class IV Avail 10,000 lb. Capacity Tow Bar with Safety Cable, Brown
- 10,000 lbs. capacity
- Steel construction, premium metallic paint
- 2 Inches receiver tube
- Smoother towing over rough roads
- Improved turning radius keeps the towed vehicle safely away from...
Blue Ox has mastered the old practice of oxen pulling the plow to develop the best tow bars in the market today. Towing has never been safer than with these tow bars. The tow bar comes with safety cables making it a perfect set. Apart from the safety cables, the bar has non-binding hatches that release easily for safety and easy operation.
Image Source: blueox.com
Blue Ox has a great turning angle, keeping the car safely away from the motor home. You can tow weights of up to 10 000 lbs easily. Flat towing has never been easier than with Blue Ox tow bars.
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2) HTTMT Towing Bar
HTTMT- US-FF801-BK- Adjustable Tow Towing Bar Bumper Mount 5000lb w/Chains RV Car Truck Jeep System
- Brand: HTTMT
- This adjustable Tow Bar includes quick disconnect brackets that...
- 5000 lb. towing capacity; heavy duty Coupler A frame coupler fits...
- Tow bar attaches easily to bumper mounting brackets with two pins
- Quick disconnect brackets allow easy installation and...
HTTMT comes not only as a quality bar but with a chain attached to the bar. The bar has disconnect brackets that can be bolted directly to the bumper of a vehicle or a rear part. The bar is further adjustable, raising the bar on what other bars should match up. The bar is quite easy to install and remove on any vehicle that you may choose.
Image Source: amazon.com
The bar works well for flat towing and saves you much-needed time, especially when in transit. The bar further folds, making it easier to store it. Safety is guaranteed with this bar, and you can count on it to get you there safely.
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3) CURT Tow Bars
CURT 19745 Universal Car RV Tow Bars for Flat or Dinghy Towing, 5,000 lbs, 2-Inch Coupler , Black
- DINGHY TOWING. These universal RV tow bars are perfect for dinghy...
- HIGHLY ADJUSTABLE. This car tow bar is highly adjustable to fit a...
- STANDARD FIT. Once the brackets are bolted onto your vehicle's...
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. To dinghy tow a number of different...
- CORROSION-RESISTANT. For long-lasting protection against the...
CURT is a universal tow bar that has the edge over other bars. The fact that the bar can fit on other bars makes it one of the best in the market by far. The bars are great for both dinghy and flat tow vehicles. Customers speak positively of the experience with this tow bar. Experts are not left out either.
Image Source: curtmfg.com
CURT bars have a corrosion-resistant body that is strong enough to tow most medium-weight loads of up to 5 000 pounds.
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4) Reese Towpower
Reese Towpower 7014200 Adjustable Tow Bar , Black
- Class III Tow Bar made of steel with a black powder coated finish
- 5000 Lb. capacity
- Includes a 2 inch ball coupler and pin & clip
- Base plate may be required
- Safety chains sold separately
Reese is an adjustable bar that falls in the class 3 category, making it one of the most sound bars you can buy for your RV or trailer. Your travel with these bars will be smooth on both ends of the bar, and you will not experience any shocks when braking or stopping. The black powder-coated finish makes the bar a sleek one on your car. If you are towing 5 000 pounds or less, this is the tow bar for you.
Image Source: reesetowpower.com
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5) Roadmaster All-Terrain Tow Bar
Roadmaster 522 Falcon All-Terrain Tow Bar - 6,000 Pound Capacity
- Quick-disconnect system - Allows “one-person” fast and easy...
- Built-in cable guide - The built-in cable guide enhances...
- Patented storage latch - The storage latch makes storing...
- Package Weight: 29.937 kilograms
If you have a tow vehicle, this is the best bar for you on any terrain. Considering the weight that gravity will be adding to the whole load, this bar works exceptionally. The bar is easy to mount and unmount. The bar has an inbuilt cable guide to keep the cables and the power cord safe. The patented storage latch makes the bar easy to work with. The bar fits with other accessories, including the base plate, to make the vehicle move without a hitch. Hook the bar on your vehicle, and you will be good to go.
Image Source: campingworld.com
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How to Choose a Tow Bar
When buying a tow bar, you need to check for features to ensure you get the right one for you. Not everyone has the same preferences for car accessories. Some features may also depend on the money you are willing to spend on a tow bar. In addition, the type of car you will be towing will inform the tow bar you choose. Here are some things to consider.
a) Supplemental Braking System
RVs are the best travel vehicles because of how easy it is to convert them into living spaces. However, traveling with RVs can sometimes feel limiting because of the vehicle's sheer size, which may stop you from enjoying your time around the town you are in. If you want to enjoy your time, you will be compelled to have another car with you.
Towing a car is easy. Stopping it, not so much. Therefore, if you buy a tow bar, getting one with a supplemental braking system might be safer.
Getting tow bars with a supplemental braking system may be subject to laws by some states that insist that you have to have the systems in cars exceeding 3000 pounds. Therefore, you must know state laws regarding tow bars before getting one. Most trusted brands will let you know the laws you need to watch for when buying tow bars.
b) Tow Bar Types
Tow bars will come in four types; swan neck, flat tongue, horizontal hitch and the rear step. Here is how they work.
i) Swan Neck Tow Bar
This type of tow bar resembles an inverted L-shape. This type of tow bar normally has its tow ball permanently attached to it, and you have to purchase the whole set together. These tow bars are popular in Europe, but they can arrive anywhere if you need one.
ii) Flat Tongue
These tow bars have a detachable tow ball that you can remove. Before hooking these tow bars to your vehicle, you must consider the weight they will have to support. These tow bars are meant for lighter vehicles because they do not have a strong arm. However, if you plan to tow a jeep or a heavier SUV, you will be dragging the tow bar beyond its weight limit.
iii) Horizontal Hitch
If you have a heavier load, this is the tow bar. With a horizontal hitch, you can tow heavier models, including the jeep, without straining both vehicles. These bars are compatible with weight distributors, and you can still use them without the distributors. The horizontal hitch has variations for medium loads and heavy loads. The square tongue on the horizontal hitch will serve you well.
If you provide towing services, keep this tow bar in mind. You can find the tow bar in any car accessory store around you.
c) Weight Limit
There are classes at the tow bars, and you can pick one of three classes. Before you check features like the coupler or the shape of the ball, you have to be sure of the weight limit. The tow bar should either be in class 2, 3 or 4, increasing the weight limit. Before you go into your account to close a deal on the tow bar, ensure you have the weight issue in mind.
Remember that vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler can reach weights of 4 tonnes.
d) Compatibility
The tow bar that you are getting should fit correctly on the vehicle. If the parts fit correctly, there will be no strain on the safety cables, the motor home or the base plate. Unfortunately, some tow bars are not available for new releases of different car models. You can contact the car dealer about this issue or anyone who deals with cars. One sign that the parts are not compatible is the uneven balance once installing the complete system. You can only have peace when you know the car will get there safely.
e) Weather Resistance
The worst deals on car accessories you can get are not weather-resistant parts. What is getting one if the tow bar will rust in the next three months? Whether using a flat tow or a car dolly, the accessories have to be reliable.
You have to take care of the parts as well. Ensure you do the required maintenance before the parts act contrary to your expectations.
Tow Bar Weight Classes
Once you know the weight class of the tow bar, you are going for, making a choice will be a breeze. Millions of tow bars are bought yearly, and before you set a date to get yours, you need to consider the weight limits. While the tow bar may fit your RV, it needs to be able to support the car you are towing. So here are the weight classes.
Class 2
If you are not planning to tow any heavy vehicles, this class is for you. These tow bars can easily tow any load reaching 1200 kgs. The required weight limit should not exceed any cost for a safe drive. These tow bars will only use the flat tongue hitch.
The most common vehicles you will tow will this weight limit include small trailers and motorcycle trailers. Follow the manufacturer recommendations all the time. This class is great for a flat tow vehicle that will not require a lot of weight.
Class 3
This class is meant for medium loads like multiple motorcycle trailers, compact cars and even small boats. Traveling with this tow bar class is more convenient than class 2. This class is not common among buyers because you can install Class 4 if you add only a little more money. Before you add this class to cart, look at your options.
Class 4
These are good for heavy-duty towing. You can attach any base plate, knowing that the load will be towed without worries. With these tow bars, you can do up to 3.5 tonnes. Most weight distribution hitches are compatible with this class of tow bars, and you can shop for any without a hassle.
Final Take
When you are ready to go out camping or touring, you will need to find a tow bar to hook your load to your tow vehicle. Before ordering one from the store, ensure you know exactly what you need. Do not take the weight limit for granted. Note that there are three classes to choose from. You want a bar to protect your bumper, and other accessories hooked on your RV. The best deals are those that will account for the safety of your vehicle. Contact your mechanic if you do not know how to install one of these.