We’ve just installed your brand new towbar – solid, secure and ready to work. When you come to pick up your vehicle, you get a practical walkthrough from one of our techs, showing you how everything works with your new towbar. It doesn’t take long, but it covers some important points on your towbar usage and safety.
In this article and in the video above, we go through the post-installation towbar walkthrough step by step. If you ever need a refresher, just come back to this page!
Let’s start with the PVC ball cover.
PVC Ball Cover
The first thing we show you is the PVC ball cover. This is a simple towball cover that you just pop on once you’ve finished towing. Every Speedy Towbar comes with one.
It’s a small piece of kit, but it saves a lot of mess. Grease and dirt from your towball and the trailer coupling can transfer to your clothes or hands if left uncovered. The PVC cover keeps things tidy and helps protect the towball surface between trips. A quick wipe before and after towing will keep it in good nick for years to come.
Pin and Clip
Next, we walk you through how to remove your ball mount when you’re not towing. It’s a quick process:
- Pull out the R pin.
- Remove the clip.
- Slide the ball mount straight back towards you.
With no ball mount protruding from the back of your vehicle, you’re less likely to have a mishap of any sort in a car park. Your shins will thank you too… nothing worse than knocking a shin on a ball mount!
If you know you won’t be towing for a while, whip out the ball mount. You can give it a bit of a clean and store it somewhere dry for your next towing adventure. Another thing to bear in mind is that if your ball mount obstructs your number plate it must be removed while you aren’t towing.
Anti-Rattle Bolt
If you’re not towing but your ball mount is attached, tighten the anti-rattle bolt to stop it from moving around and rattling as you drive. There’s nothing worse than a small rattle while commuting and not being able to identify what it is. Remember the Supercheap Auto ad where a guy disassembles his entire vehicle looking for a rattle, only to discover it was his wife’s earrings in the glove box? Don’t be that person – tighten up that anti-rattle bolt!
Just remember though, you can’t use the anti-rattle bolt if you aren’t towing. It’s not designed to deal with the pressure of a load hanging off the towbar. It’s only to be used when you don’t have a trailer or anything else attached.
Here’s a little Towbar hack from Josh – grab your D-shackle and slip it over the head of the bolt. It fits perfectly, allowing you to tighten and loosen the bolt in the absence of a spanner. Your fingers and hands will thank you!
DSH Shackles and Safety Chains
Every trailer will have one or two safety chains. These connect to the D-shackles on your towbar.
- One safety chain: clip it to either shackle.
- Two safety chains: you’re legally required to cross them over before attaching them.
This cross-over is designed to catch the drawbar if the trailer comes loose, stopping it from dropping onto the road. It’s a pretty important safety step which we want you to get right and keep doing. It’s not just the law, it could really prevent a more serious accident from transpiring.
Trailer Wiring
Beside your towbar you’ll find the trailer plug. Flip the lid down and you’ll notice one pin is set higher than the rest. That makes sure the plug only fits one way. It’s a simple design feature that protects your car and trailers electrical system.
Lining it up and plugging it in properly the first time is important, so we’ll make sure you know exactly how to do that.
Speedy Towbars installs your trailer wiring to an Australian standard, which is impeccably high. You can expect reliable connections and less hassles on the road!
Time for Your Towbar installation?
There are a bunch of benefits to getting your towbar professionally installed. From complying with legal requirements to ensuring your wiring is exactly as it should be, and making sure you have professional backing and support throughout your towing journey. With a professional installation you’ll enjoy the confidence of knowing the job has been done right.
At Speedy Towbars, we handle everything – installation, wiring, accessories and aftercare.
Call 1300 SPEEDY or click here to book your towbar installation online today!
FAQs
The walkthrough is part of every towbar installation we do. Our service doesn’t end there though. We’re always here to answer your questions, so get in touch at any time. Here are some of the common ones we encounter:
Should I remove my towbar when not in use?
It’s not always a requirement unless it obstructs the number plate. but it’s smart to remove it. This can prevent theft and shin knocks!
Can I use the anti-rattle bolt while towing?
No. The bolt is for stabilising the ball mount when you’re not towing. Always remove or loosen it before towing to avoid damage.
Why do I need to cross the chains?
It’s a legal requirement in Australia for trailers with two safety chains. Crossing them adds a layer of protection if the trailer disconnects.
Jordan is the co-owner of Speedy Towbars and a trusted source of towbar knowledge for Queensland drivers. When he's not installing towbars, he treasures time with his family and hitting the road for caravanning adventures!