Selecting the Right Tow Bar: A Buyer’s Guide for Stockport and Manchester Car Owners
Choosing a tow bar
would not be a decision that most people would give much thought to, and yet having been in the industry for over twenty years the decision is certainly worthy of some research, in order to ensure you get the best tow bar for your specific needs. North West Towbars have established themselves as one of the leading installers of tow bars in Stockport and Manchester, thanks to our competitive pricing, old-fashioned customer service and commitment to excellence at all times. Unfortunately, this has also meant that we have had to deal with a few people who have installed the wrong tow bar themselves or have struggled to get the lighting system to work properly.
This article is designed to guide you through the process of choosing the right tow bar and although you can technically fit a towbar yourself, our advice would always be to see professional installation, for your own safety and that of other road users.
Fixed vs. Detachable Tow Bars
Possibly the biggest decision you will need to make is whether you wish to install a fixed or a detachable towbar. Essentially the key difference is that a fixed towbar is permanently attached to your vehicle, whereas a detachable towbar can be removed when not in use. There are a number of different reasons why you may be swayed towards one type or the other.
Pros of Fixed Towbars
Fixed tow bars by their very nature provide a solid towing connection, and are also always available should you need to tow a trailer or other type of vehicle.
Cons of Fixed Towbars
Most people purchase a vehicle because they like the look and design of that car. Unfortunately adding a permanent towbar is likely to disrupt those looks and smooth lines which may or may not matter to you as this is an entirely personal choice.
Another negative that people rarely take into consideration is that a fixed towbar has the potential to reduce the ground clearance of your vehicle.
Pros of A Detachable Towbar
Aesthetic Appeal - The number one reason why most people choose a detachable towbar is quite simply because it looks better when not in use. Let’s face it a towbar is not the most attractive piece of equipment, particularly if you have invested a lot of money in a sleek car with lots of smooth curvaceous lines.
Shorter Vehicle - A fitted towbar extends the length of your vehicle making the reversing cameras slightly inaccurate as they won’t necessarily take into account the additional length.
Additionally, if you have ever forgotten about the towbar and hit it with your knee while packing your shopping then you will certainly know about it. All of these issues disappear with a detachable towbar.
What Are The Negatives Of A Detachable Towbar
Convenience - With a fixed towbar you always have it available in case of unexpected instances. However, if you go somewhere and suddenly for whatever reason need to use a towbar, if it has been detached and is at home, you lose that convenience.
Risk of Loss - Regardless of how organised you are there is always a risk that once you remove the towbar it can or will get misplaced, This can be both expensive and frustrating, and of course is not an issue that you will face with a fixed towbar.
This is the first article in a two-part series to guide you in how to choose a towbar. At North West Towbars, we are constantly trying to create quality content that benefits our customers.
In the next part of the series, we will focus on the importance of compatibility with different vehicles and any considerations you should have for your usage requirements.
In the meantime for all of your towbar requirements and questions please do not hesitate to contact Northwest Towbars on 0161 474 7474