Towbar Supply And Fit | Southern Towbars

Towbars

If your new to the world of towing then choosing the right towbar for your vehicle can be a bit daunting. Do you go for a flange or a swan neck towbar? Is a fixed or detachable towbar best for your vehicle? And what is the difference?

All these questions will no doubt be overwhelming. That's why we are here and have put together a simple step by step guide to understanding the different types of towbars that we offer.

There two main types of towbars which are flange towbars and swan neck towbars. Flange towbars are often better suited to commercial towing and are a bit cheaper, whereas swan neck towbars have a sleeker design and are less bulky.

Depending on your vehicle, you may also have the option of a fixed towbar which is permanently attached to your vehicle or a detachable towbar which can be removed.

Compare the different types of towbars for sale below to see which one is right for you. But remember, not all towbar types are available for every vehicle.

The most commonly used type of towbar in the UK is the flange towbar; This is the most versatile design of towbar because it can be used with tow ball mounted accessories such as cycle carriers, bumper protectors and stabilisers. The flange towbar is available in both fixed and detachable styles.

Flange Towbars

Fixed Flange

A Fixed Flange Towbar is generally the most cost-effective option, and is the most commonly used in the UK. The tow ball is attached to the tow bar using either two or four 24mm bolts, and it can be used with tow ball mounted accessories such as cycle carriers, bumper protectors etc, which are mounted between the towbar and ball.

The benefits of a Fixed Flange:

Capable of using accessories like some models of cycle carriers whilst towing
Flange towbars tend to be cheaper
Capable of fitting a towbar and pin system required to pull plant trailers and generators
Capable of fitting a bumper protector plate
Capable of using height-adjustable couplings, drop plates and spacers to get different towing heights and clearances
Capable of putting a butterfly step on (mainly used on commercial vehicles)
Tow ball can be upgraded to be used with an AL-KO stabiliser
The towbar can be easily detached when not towing
Compatible with a large range of vehicles

Detachable Flange

Detachable flange towbars have all the benefits of a fixed flange towbar with the additional option to remove when not in use.

The neck of the towbar can be removed leaving the vehicle looking like there is not a towbar fitted and towing capacity is the same as a fixed bar.
If parking sensors are fitted to a vehicle the detachable towbar will not interfere once removed
You will not bang your legs or trip on the towbar when utilising your boot or walking around your vehicle when the neck is removed
Capable of carrying any tow ball mount cycle carrier
Compatible with AL-KO and other friction style stabilisers (once the paint is removed off the 50mm ball section)
Neck mechanism locks to the vehicle to stop it being stolen
Capable of fitting a tow ball and pin system required to pull plant trailers and generators
A choice of towing couplings and accessories can be fitted

The benefits of a Detachable Flange:

Swan Neck Towbars

In the E.U. the most common towbar type is the swan neck towbar. This is where the tow ball and the neck are all one piece of the towbar. This type of towbar is becoming more popular in the U.K. due to the appearance of the bar looking neater and with the bar being narrower it is less likely to trigger your parking sensors.

The swan neck type is available in both a detachable than fixed style.

Fixed Swan Neck

Fixed Swan Neck Towbars are often used outside of the UK. They are the less adaptable than Flange towbars as they cannot be used with additional accessories. Cycle carriers are available; however they cannot be used whilst towing.

The benefits of a fixed Swan Neck:

More aesthetically pleasing than a flange style towbar
More chance of the parking sensors not picking up the towbar when in reverse (but not a guarantee)
Compatible with AL-KO and other friction style stabilisers (once the paint is removed off the 50mm ball section
Price is very competitively priced compared to its detachable counterpart
Capable of carrying all types of ball mount cycle carriers
Less likely to trigger reversing sensors
Compatible with a large number of vehicles
Looks more discreet than a Fixed Flange towbar

Detachable Swan Neck

A detachable swan neck Towbar is generally the most commonly used in the UK for its features. The tow ball is attached to the tow the housing by a lock and key mechanism which is easy to remove the neck when not towing. uch as cycle carriers, bumper protectors etc, which are mounted between the towbar and ball.

The benefits of a detachable Swan Neck:

The neck of the towbar can be removed leaving the vehicle looking like there is not a towbar fitted and towing capacity is the same as a fixed bar
If parking sensors are fitted to a vehicle the detachable towbar will not interfere once removed
You will not bang your legs or trip on the towbar when utilising your boot or walking around your vehicle when the neck is removed
Capable of carrying any tow ball mount cycle carrier
Compatible with AL-KO and other friction style stabilisers (once the paint is removed off the 50mm ball section)
Neck mechanism locks to the vehicle to stop it being stolen

If you would like any help or advice about any of our products or services, please contact us

Or you can call us on: 0743578517

We hand-pick the best quality Towbars from top manufacturers

We select the neatest fitting towbar for your vehicle

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We source towbars from all of the largest towbar manufacturers, these are the same companies that make towbars for the car manufacturers, and are fitted as Original Equipment. We never simply look for the cheapest option; we prefer to find the best fitting and tidiest towbar available for each application.