Is Towbar Maintenance Necessary?

Towbars are tough pieces of gear, designed and built to withstand the harshest of Australian conditions. That said, there are still some maintenance and servicing tips that you can follow to ensure easy towing experiences long into the future. 

Towbar Maintenance and Servicing

At Speedy Towbars Brisbane we break down the care of your towbar into ‘towbar maintenance’ and ‘towbar servicing’. Maintenance is the routine checking you can do before and after trips, or on a daily basis. It involves small habitual practices that dont take long but can save problems down the track. Servicing refers to bigger checks that can take place when your vehicle is in for its regular service. 

Why Towbar Maintenance and Servicing are Important

Nothing worse than waiting for your trip up the coast towing your caravan, only to run into a problem with your towbar that delays your departure. Towbar maintenance prevents annoying delays like this, allowing you to leave on time and enjoy your time on the road! 

Towbar servicing will be the difference between going and not going on said trips. It deals with bigger issues, which we’ll highlight below, that could be the difference between going and not going on a trip. 

Key Towbar Maintenance Steps

Luckily, maintaining your towbar is neither complicated nor time-consuming. You can get it done in your own driveway – unless it’s something you feel a professional towbar installer should take a look at. 

Here’s what we recommend you do on a regular basis: 

Inspect

Before heading off on a trip or if you are towing a trailer for work, a visual inspection is a great habit to get into. Visually inspect the towbar – Look for bolts that don’t seem tight, making sure the towbar is not sagging – this is a simple visual check, If you notice something amiss it is best to get it checked out. 

Check Electrical Connections

Don’t forget about the plug when you’re inspecting. Trailer lights and electric brakes are no good if the connection’s corroded or full of dirt. Always test your trailer lights before travelling to avoid lights not working and potentially fines. A good precautionary habit to get into is using a contact cleaner to clean out the plug after each trip. Trailer wiring is a common failure point, so try stay on top of it. 

Clean

Positioned where it is on the vehicle, mud, salt and grime can build up on your towbar. So like you would clean the underside of your vehicle don’t forget to give your towbar a clean as well. Although powder-coated and designed to last, leaving dirt, mud and grime on the towbar will increase rust and corrosion levels. 

Remove Your Detachable Towbar

This is an important thing to remember when not towing, especially if you do any form of sand or beach driving. Removing the ball mount and cleaning out the receiver will prevent rust from forming and locking the ball mount into the receiver. At Speedy Towbars this is the most common reason for replacing towbars as the towbar becomes unusable. 

Stick to Correct Weight Ratings

This is an important one, because if you don’t stick to the correct weight ratings, it can have legal and insurance ramifications. Every towbar has weight limits which are important not to exceed. If you go past the maximum towing capacity or downball load, you’re putting strain on your towbar and vehicle that it’s not equipped to handle. Check your towbar compliance plate or vehicle manual for the weight ratings.

Towbar Servicing Checks at Service Intervals 

This is something that can be asked for when getting general servicing and maintenance done. Ask for them to check the torque on all the bolts and components to do with the towbar and retorque if necessary. This, combined with your visual inspections, will prevent a situation where the towbar becomes loose and creates a safety concern. 

Professional Towbar Inspections by Speedy Towbars

It’s not a big task to perform the above maintenance steps yourself or to have the servicing checks facilitated by your mechanic or service department. If you are still unsure however, the Speedy team is here for you if anything is concerning you about your towbar. 

Our towbar techs can do a full inspection and make sure you’re safe and ready to hit the road, assessing the structural integrity and wiring in the process. We can nip any potential issues there and then and have you on the road with confidence.

Peace of mind is essential for a safe and enjoyable towing experience. That’s why towbar maintenance is important. It’s also why you can rely on Speedy Towbars for all your inspections, supply and installations of quality towing equipment. 

Elevate your towing experience and get in touch with us today!

Below is a breakdown of the checks you can include in your towbar maintenance and servicing: 

Routine Maintenance:

☐ Visually inspect the towbar (check for sagging, loose bolts, damage)

☐ Test trailer lights and brake function

☐ Inspect trailer plug for corrosion, dirt or damage

☐ Clean trailer plug with contact cleaner

☐ Clean towbar and mounting points (remove dirt, grime, mud or salt)

☐ Remove detachable ball mount when not in use – clean and store safely

☐ Confirm towing capacity and downball rating are not exceeded

At Service Intervals

☐ Ask the mechanic to check and re-torque towbar bolts

☐ Ask for a professional towbar inspection if towing regularly

☐ Check for signs of rust or corrosion in hidden areas

☐ Request an electrical plug and wiring inspection