Towing should be relaxing, seamless and efficient – whether it’s for work or play, everything running like clockwork will allow you full capacity to enjoy your journey. Having the right knowledge and gear eliminates unnecessary problems when it comes time for your next adventure. At Speedy Towbars, we are no stranger to pre-travel hiccups, from mismatched plugs to sagging trailers. We want to make sure your towing experience is enjoyable and stress-free, so we only ever recommend towing accessories that we use ourselves. Today, we want to take you through some tools and accessories and provide some information you can use to make towing safer, easier and more reliable. Whether you’re off on a coastal jaunt or towing heavy machinery for work, there are accessories listed below that’ll make your journey a breeze. Remember, don’t leave it until the last minute! We can’t emphasise this enough. There’s nothing worse than hooking up, ready for your holiday and you realise something is amiss. Always do a dry run before your trip or holiday to make sure everything is working as it should and you have all the towing accessories you need. It’s the stress-free way to do it! Let’s take a look at what towing accessories we recommend.
1. Electric Brake Controller
If your trailer has electric or electric over hydraulic brakes, then an electric brake controller in your vehicle is essential. These control your trailer’s brakes, and does so in a proportional fashion to the braking in your vehicle. Without one, you’re relying on your vehicle to do all the work, which is dangerous, as well as being illegal if you’re towing loads over your vehicle’s unbraked capacity (typically 750kg). There are some incredible brake controllers out there, including Bluetooth options from Redarc and Elecbrakes, which require no internal modification to the vehicle. The Speedy team will guide you to the best controller for your setup, install it and walk you through how to use it.
2. Bike Carriers
Bringing your bikes along for the ride? Our range of bike carriers makes it easy. We’ve got racks to suit all kinds of vehicles and bike types, with renowned brands like Yakima giving you the option to load up the whole family’s bike on the back of your vehicle. Easy to use, a bike carrier towing accessory is a secure and convenient way to transport your bikes. More space and no more muddy tyres in the back seat of your vehicle.
3. Weight Distribution Hitches
If you’re towing a heavy load you might notice your vehicle’s rear sags while the front lifts up, greatly altering your vehicle’s axle loads which affects your handling, braking and steering. These pose a significant safety risk, altered wear and tear and the inability to control your vehicle in the event of an emergency. A weight distribution hitch solves this by spreading the load evenly across all your vehicle’s axles, keeping things balanced and level. This is suited particularly for longer trips or when towing larger vans or trailers.
4. D Shackles
The small but mighty D Shackle plays an important role in towing. These little powerhouses are what secure your trailer’s safety chains to the towbar, creating a failsafe in case your trailer uncouples. At Speedy Towbars we only stock high-quality, rated D Shackles that meet all legal requirements and give you peace of mind.
5. Towballs, Couplers and Covers
The coupler is the critical connection point between your car and trailer. We stock all popular styles, sizes and ratings you might need, including standard 50mm towballs and the larger 70mm towball for specialised heavy-duty towing. We also stock DO35 and DO45 off-road couplers and the Australian-made and owned off-road coupler, the McHitch. Speak to one of our team to decide what setup is most suitable for your vehicle and trailer. When you’re not towing a towball cover is a simple way to protect it from rust and wear, and save your shins when walking around the back of the car. We stock black PVC ball covers which give your towbar installation a professional and clean look. They look way better than the old cut-in-half tennis ball! Bashing your shins on the towbar is an extremely painful experience that, unfortunately, is bound to happen at some point. We have shin guards and a shin protector ball cover combo to protect against this.
6. Ballmounts
Your ball mount is the critical component that connects your towball to the towbar. Ideally, you want one that gets your trailer riding level along with your vehicle. Trailers and vehicles very seldom are the same height – in a world of options and modifications, it’s increasingly difficult to get them level. At Speedy Towbars we stock a large variety of ballmounts with different drops and rises to combat this, as well as adjustable ballmounts for even more options. Towing level means less stress on your suspension and improved control
7. Hitch Pin Locks
Ever had a trailer tongue, ball mount or trailer itself go walkabout? Unfortunately, theft is a reality. Hitch pin locks are designed to make it extremely difficult for anyone to detach your trailer. They’re easy to use, tamper-resistant and give you one less thing to worry about when leaving your vehicle unattended. There are a couple of different options, from standard locking pins to ones with anti-rattle capabilities. We even have stainless steel locking pins to keep your boat trailer nice and secure when parked up at a boat ramp.
8. Trailer Adaptors
Mismatching plugs between your trailer and your vehicle can really put a dampener on the start of a towing adventure! That’s where trailer adaptors come in handy – they’re a quick fix that ensure your trailer and vehicle can communicate properly. Whether you need to convert a 7-pin flat to a 7-pin round, or bridge a gap between old and new systems, they’ll save a whole lot of hassle.
9. 12 Pin Plugs
Sometimes a standard 7-pin plug just doesn’t cut it, especially when you’re running extra accessories like electric-hydraulic brakes, electronic stability systems or charging systems. 12-pin plugs give you more functionality and may even be required to tow your trailer or caravan correctly. Make sure a wiring diagram is provided or accessible when searching for your next trailer or caravan – that helps the Speedy Towbars team ensure the wiring is done right!
Get in Touch With Brisbane’s Towing Accessories Experts
At Speedy Towbars, we believe in doing things right, from your Towbar installation to every towing accessory that goes with it. Some of the accessories above will be integral to your towing experience, while others, like the bike racks, just enhance the convenience and the experience. Whatever the accessory, if you get it from us you can be assured of its tried and tested quality. Need advice on what’s right for your vehicle and towing setup? Just ask. We’re here to help, and we’ve probably already solved the problem you’re facing! Swing by our Everton Hills or Slacks Creek branches, or give us a call to speak to a towbar expert. We’re here to make your towing adventures better!
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!