Trailer hitch for a trailer of a car. Tow-hook

Every car owner always carries something on it, besides passengers. Cargo and luggage are of different sizes and weights. Something can be transported in the car, and something - no. Transportation of large-sized items, of course, should be handled by specialized equipment. But it is not always available. And then the trailers to the cars come to the rescue. Help solve the problem of special trailing devices - towbars. Today's article will be dedicated to them.

History of creation

The towbar is a consistent evolution of the coupling devices on vehicles. Previously, on cars (trucks, cross-country vehicles) behind the coupler was a simple hook, to which a drawbar was attached by means of a drawbar. But, despite the simplicity, a significant drawback was that the hook broke very quickly and loosened due to backlash, which inevitably occurs when the car starts and brakes. The trailer dump and towing hooks were not unified among themselves. And the play was very significant. Therefore, the hook in the process of operation quickly broke, including because the thickness of the drawbar is smaller than the inner diameter of the hook's circumference. In addition, to hang the trailer on this hook, it was necessary to very accurately feed the car back. This is the only way to put the drawbar in front of the hook.

The device of a modern towbark

The modern element is devoid of such shortcomings. How does the towbar look like? See the photo below. Its connection of the ball and the drawbar is done without a backlash. In addition, the design itself is much simpler. The diagram of the trailing device has been unchanged for many years. The first element is the cross member. This is a power beam installed in the back of the car on its body or frame. The second part is a ball joint that is attached to the crossmember. The figure shows the diagram of the trailer mechanism.

It should be noted that the device is not universal. It is designed for a particular brand or model of the car. The dimensions of the towbar can also differ. For large SUVs that can pull a large trailer, they reach very impressive values.

Classification of species of towbars

Despite the general scheme, coupling devices come in different types. First of all, they are divided according to the method of attachment. It can be fixed (stationary), removable, as well as flanged. Fixed towbars, as is clear from the name, are not removable. They are one with the power structure of the body of the car. Removable part allows you to detach the structure from the car, so as not to spoil its appearance when it is not needed. The hooks with the flange connection are fastened by several bolts to the special platforms at the rear of the machine. Often installed to a power bumper or frame. How does the towbar look like? A photo of an element with this type of connection can be seen in our article. This type is used for transportation of large-sized trailers and heavy loads.

Advantages and disadvantages of different types of towbars

All designs have positive and negative sides. For example, the flange hitch will always be in sight. Even when removed, the attachment itself is sufficiently isolated both in appearance and purely physically. At the same time, this type of fastening is the most versatile. This allows you to install it on any machine with such a flange pad. In addition, the element is adjustable in height (and this is sometimes important).

Choosing the right towbar

First of all, you should determine the maximum possible load of the device and choose the type of coupling that is suitable for a particular car. It should be remembered that the maximum load should not exceed the total weight of the tow, that is, the machine on which the hitch is to be installed. We should not forget that it is desirable to install the towbars factory, manufactured in an industrial way.

Buy items that have been tested and certified. Experience shows that hand-made handicraft couplers often fail to withstand loads (the limit of which usually nobody tests). And this is fraught with at least damage to the structure. In the worst case, the loss of the trailer on the run.

Features of installation of the trailer on domestic cars

The largest number of these elements, no doubt, is installed on domestic machines. Trailing device VAZ 2121 ("Niva") is available in various types - welded, flanged and demountable. Installation is carried out according to the general rules for cars - marking holes on the template and tie-in to the on-board electrical network.

Self-Installation

For self-installation requires a garage with a pit or trestle, as most of the work will be done from the bottom of the machine.

Additional hardware and accessories are always attached to the factory kit. Therefore, with this option it will be easier. If it is decided to install a self-made towbar, then all the connecting and fixing elements will have to be bought separately.

In order to install a trailer hitch for a car trailer, the following items will be needed:

• The device itself with a set of fasteners;
• Drill and drill bits for metal;
• Spanners of various sizes.

As an example, you can consider how to install the towbar on the "Kalina" - a popular Russian car. Installation of the coupling device on it is especially important because the car is small (especially a hatchback) and the equipment of this car with a trailer increases its suitability for cargo transportation. Prior to installation, space for future holes in the rear subframe is marked in the drawing enclosed with the set. Then, in order to install the trailer hitch for the trailer of the car, drill the holes in the body. It is better to use a bit larger (0.5-1 mm) diameter than the bolts installed in them.

Note! After drilling the body, the holes must be protected with an anti-corrosion compound to prevent rust. After the holes are machined, you can install the mounting kit - the cross member and the bracket with the ball. After tightening, the bolts should also be covered with anticorrosion. At the bottom of the car, rust appears particularly quickly. Installation of the towbar usually does not cause difficulties.

The most difficult thing here, as practice shows, accuracy of marking for drilling holes. Much more difficult (and often takes most of the time) is the connection of the towbar electricians.

Electrical connection

According to the current legislation, the trailer for a trailer of a car must duplicate all the lights of the rear of the tractor unit. To do this, it is equipped with appropriate lighting equipment and has a unified connector for connection to the vehicle's control system. From the side of the vehicle itself, this connector must be mounted independently. The installation kit assumes that you have all the appropriate wires and pads. This connector is usually equipped with a circuit for switching parking lights, turn signals, stop lamps.

Connect should be inside the trunk of the car, running a tourniquet through an already existing hole or drilling additional for it. If everything is connected correctly, the trailer lighting will completely repeat all the light signals of the towed vehicle.

Conclusion

Recently, more and more often you can see cars equipped with towbars. There are reasons for this. Third-party trucking is quite expensive, and more often it is required to transport a small oversize, which in any truck will only take a corner of the body, but it can not fit into a regular car. Therefore, the trailer for a trailer of a car is a very welcome purchase of an economic motorist.