Tow Bar Fitting

[sjones]

Hi

We have recently had a new tow bar fitted, by a reputable dealer, on returning home under closer examination we have noticed that the tow ball connecting bolts neither have locking washers or locking nuts in place, is this standard practice or a mistake on their part? Although the dealer torque the nuts to the correct setting surely it is still possible for the nuts to work loose? Is it safe?

 

[Dustydog]

Blade

If you were to buy a replacement Al-Ko towball it will come with new nuts and bolts and two spring washers.

I can't speak for your application But????

Cheers

Dustydog

 

[Lutz]

If the materials used for towbar, towball, bolts and nuts are appropriately designed by the towbar manufacturer and the dealer took heed of the manufacturer's fitting instructions (including torque) then the nuts should not work loose and if they don't work loose you don't need any form of locking system.

 

[DianneT]

Four years ago we had a Witter tow bar and ball etc fitted by a reputable fitter and just 7 weeks later while in Germany went to put the caravan on and the whole towbar was loose. Had to go to a German garage near to Bitburg to fix it before we coulld put the van on again. He said it was badly fitted and would have had to be inspected if fitted by a German garage.

He then went underneath and put locking bolts on and we did not ever have any more trouble with it. This could have caused a very nasty accident.

 

[sjones]

Thanks Dianne

We are fitting two lock nuts on top of the original nuts for extra safety, It's a shame that for the price of two nuts that the dealer does not do this, as an extra precaution.

 

[Terry_5112949]

Every time I have fitted a towbar assembly (motor trade) to a customers and my own I have always fitted spring washers or the star type washers which ever came with the towbar assembly, and then two extra nuts to help lock the originals as well as keeping the bolt threads from rusting making for any future removal easier.

 

[ProfJohnL]

To answer the headline thread,

Unless you have the fitting instructions for the particular ball assembly, you cannot know if the tow ball needs locking nuts or washers or not.

If in doubt ask you reputable fitter to check and reassure you.

 

[gary]

I'm probably in agreement with the fitter, I would remove locking washers if fitted to my towball?

Either sort is one more layer in the joint to corrode, corrosion thins the metal and the nut will loosen, it's as simple as that.

I'm not just talking towball bolts but anything which does not specifically require some counter to vibration, (in which case I'd use lock nuts of one form or another), avoid washers of any sort wherever possible is my rule, in 30 odd years I've never had anything come loose.

Having said that, nuts do need to be tightened correctly, I've just had a removable towbar fitted by a 'reputable' national company and none of the nuts were correctly torqued...by a mile! That's to say nothing of the complete ****-up he made of the bumper cut!! It was only sorting that out that I found the loose nuts/bolts

 

[BillD.]

When I did an engineering apprenticeship many years ago I was taught that it is good engineering practice to have locknuts or locking washers or two nuts locked together. I have always followed this and if this was my tow bar (as I did with one a few years ago) to put some on myself or get the fitter to do it.

I bet they will say there is nothing wrong with it though. This is one of these things where you are likely to be at odds with the 'experts'

Bill D