Towbars are built and designed to provide many years of service but will not last forever. It is essential to ensure that your towbar is maintained properly in order to ensure that it does not become a safety risk. Although not an original part of the car, did you know that if a towbar has not been maintained properly, it can cause your car to fail its MOT?
Is There A Set Lifespan For A Towbar?
Unfortunately, the answer to this question is no, quite simply because there are so many variables. If, for example, your towbar is only used once a year for the family caravan trip, then the amount of stress and pressure on the towbar is minimal. Compare that with a commercial vehicle which is towing heavy trailers on a daily basis, and clearly, the lifespan of the towbar is going to be significantly lower.
How Can I Check The Health Status of My Towbar?
Normally the first part of the towbar that will show signs of deterioration is the pins and bolts.
Our advice would be to inspect these prior to every trip to ensure that they are secure and not showing any signs of damage or deterioration.
If you are not confident in your ability to check for yourself, the team at Northwest Towbars are always more than happy to examine your towbar for you.
This could be advisable prior to booking your vehicle for an MOT.
What Exactly Does The MOT Inspection Cover in Relation To Towbars?
An MOT inspection incorporates a wide range of checks in relation to towbars. The inspector will check the tow ball, the fixings, locking devices, brackets, bolts and the vehicle's chassis. They will be looking for any signs of corrosion, excessive wear and tear, or loose fittings.
If any of these are found, then this is likely to cause your car to fail its MOT and will result in you needing to have the towbar repaired or replaced. Towbar electrics are also tested for operation and it will fail if the towbar electrics don’t work properly.
What Should I Do To Maintain My Towbar and Maximise Its Lifespan?
As with any piece of mechanical equipment, it is important to regularly maintain it, to maximise its lifespan.
Clean your towbar regularly to remove any dirt and debris from building up. In the winter, the salt used by local councils to prevent the roads from icing up can be particularly abrasive to the underside of your car and towbar fittings. There is no need to use any lubricants; all that is required is a clean cloth, so this task, thankfully is not too labour-intensive.
If you do not plan on using your towbar for an extended period of time, then put the towbar cover on, as this will protect it from dirt and debris buildup while also preventing it from being exposed to the elements.
Finally, if you are physically able to, regularly check the mountings, fixings and parts for any signs of damage and to ensure that everything remains tightly fitted.
If you ever have any concerns about the status of your towbar or are in the market for a new one, visit Northwest Towbar or call us for advice at 0161 474 7474