Is it legal to fit a Tow Bar yourself?

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    Posted: 14 Oct 2020 at 7:42pm
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Ive found a number of standard Tow Bars at the wreckers, very cheap in good condition.

Given the fitting is fairly straight forward, I was wondering if it is legal to fit a tow bar yourself?

Im yet to find a tongue and hitch tow system at the wreckers so they are all bolt on jobs. Im presuming a tongue and hitch is a specialist towbar experts job?

The part is $49, how much would the labour cost to have it fitted?

Is North Shore Towbars the best over the bridge?

Thanks
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote ofthesea Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Oct 2020 at 10:09pm
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Don't know but I suspect many could do the tow bar fairly safely but could bugger the electrical fitting part of the job
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Big -Dave Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Oct 2020 at 10:10pm
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As far as I know, it's legal, unless it's subject to a cof
you can't fix an idiot with duct tape, but it does muffle them for a while...
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote bigred1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Oct 2020 at 10:59pm
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I’ve fitted a few over the years with no issue, but they have to be bolted not welded on. The only time it was ever questioned was on a homemade front mounted towbar and an inspector suggested I weld a bigger plate onto my mounting brackets. If you can find your exact model in a wrecker yard it will be easy. YouTube how to do the wiring if you’re inclined, or just pay an auto sparky. Big Dave is correct about COF.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Big -Dave Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Oct 2020 at 7:15am
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I'm still psychic myself up to get under my patrol and fit a front mounted towbar...I put a new bumber and winch on and the old bar had to go...I think I've worked out a way to mount a socket so it is unseen from the front.

As far as the legal issues, front mounts just have to not cause extra damage to the pedestrians you hit. You can make and fit tow bars, just as you can make your own trailers up to the cof point.
you can't fix an idiot with duct tape, but it does muffle them for a while...
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote fish-feeder Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Oct 2020 at 9:21am
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Tow bars should really be made by a certed welder,or at least inspected for weld penetration before use. I've seen some shockers.
dont get my personality mixed up with my attitude,my personality is me,my attitude depends on you.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Big -Dave Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Oct 2020 at 11:22am
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Tend to agree there..I am surprised it isn't more regulated. Not sure that all WOF inspectors are competent to assess either.
Originally posted by fish-feeder fish-feeder wrote:

Tow bars should really be made by a certed welder,or at least inspected for weld penetration before use. I've seen some shockers.
you can't fix an idiot with duct tape, but it does muffle them for a while...
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Keith C Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Oct 2020 at 3:04pm
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Towbars can be picked up relatively cheaply, but the wiring looms for the modern car can be very expensive. So worth checking whether your vehicle needs a specific loom (LED lights can often be an indicator of an expensive loom)
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Reel Deal Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Oct 2020 at 7:05pm
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I haven’t put one on for a while but the wreckers have them. Prob trademe. Easy to install. Get one for your model and put bolts through the holes that are already there. Electrics worth a you tube search 
The gods do not subtract from the allotted span of men's lives the hours spent on fishing - Assyrian Proverb
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Alan L Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Oct 2020 at 9:34pm
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Yes finding one to fit your vehicle is a big start.
I built one for my camper - from scratch. I asked the guy who did my Wofs. And he basically said as above. As long as it looks well built it is OK. I guess that went for my welds as well. As FF says - hard to really check. Mine held up - still is. Bolted to chassis rails - using existing bolt holes. But plenty of areas to get it wrong. Esp attachment points. So if you have the right one for your vehicle that is resolved. I am also a bit surprised you can still do this as DIY. Mine was some 15 yrs ago. Figured it may have changed by now.
Alan
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Steps Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Oct 2020 at 7:32am
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Check if can be welded / constructed DIY for WoF..
Im know it used to be.. I built mine on the camaro yrs ago from a HQ.
Im reasonably sure that tow bars require cert now.
I know inspectors are not to pass anything that has the slightest bit of suspicion as to integrity and many will not pass .. for what ever reason  uncerted.

  In the real  world there is regs, maybe can be DIY.. and there is the inspectors 'discretion' which as they sign off the WoF for their own protection only certed units.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote FizFisho Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Oct 2020 at 5:05pm
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Thanks all, and two the top blokes who PM'd me.

Got an email from the supplier, $149, said I can fit it but need a torque wrench which I dont have, but given a certain Tow bar company quoted me $449, I figure hiring a torque set must be cheaper than $300.

Also I have seen used ones at the wreckers for $49, so will likely go that option.

As for a front tow bar/push bar. Im not really up for making my own, so might give that a miss and just figure things out once I have the boat, have a number of options to get it into place. Flappn 2000lb electric winches are only $150, didnt expect them to be that cheap :-). Id really like one of those ones in a bag for beach retrieving on low tides where I dont want to get salt spray up into the chassis etc

Now I just need to pick a boat, which is always a dilemma, analysis paralysis but as Smudge said to me, sometimes you just gotta pick one and live with its intricacies.

Considering something around $12k, 4-4.5m, possibly a stabi explorer or even just a quintrex or similar gullwing. 
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote FizFisho Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Oct 2020 at 4:06pm
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Just checking the servicing manual for specs to see if I need an extension, what size the bolts are and what torque I need to set it too.

But $49 is the way to go I think, a Torque wrench can be had for $60. Im not sure if I should go the 3/4 or 1/2 inch drive wrench, Im sure both will do the tow bar but not sure which will be more commonly used in the future. Any tips on which wrench to buy appreciated, thanks.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote kitno Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Oct 2020 at 4:49pm
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1/2 inch
Top 10 finish
2024 Grunter Hunter.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote FizFisho Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Oct 2020 at 5:45pm
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Thanks Kitno, thats what Motorhead said to me and what I assumed but thought better to check. I dont see me ever needing something higher torque than that. Cheers mate.

Now just getting sorted what I need to do, found the wiring loom. Im assuming the wrecked car will have one I can pinch to the tow ball. They have 3 so one should still have the loom.

Missed out on some nice roof racks, but can wait.

Need to replace a plastic wheel arch, which Im also waiting for my colour, otherwise I will have to spray it. Flappn truck driver ran me off the road by taking up 2 lanes turning, his lane was meant to turn left but he decided as he wanted to go straight that pushing me into oncoming traffic was a better idea. Flappn glad I wasnt on my bike.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Bounty Hunter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Oct 2020 at 5:49pm
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1/2 inch drive - a torque wrench is a bloody handy tool to have if you want to do stuff properly and 'by the book' - get a quality one and it should serve you well for years to come
No disintegrations!
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote FizFisho Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Oct 2020 at 6:05pm
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Originally posted by Bounty Hunter Bounty Hunter wrote:

bloody handy tool to have if you want to do stuff properly and 'by the book' - get a quality one and it should serve you well for years to come


Yes sir, I was just unsure if the 1/2 or 3/4 is more likely to get more use, but definitely makes sense for DIY stuff the lighter torque bar should cover most things. $60 is plenty cheap enough. Just need to make sure I get the bolt size right before going to the wrecker.

Ok Tow Bar company wrote back, $475 installed. I think I will stick with the sub $150 DIY option.

However they have said a front tow hitch is legal, but not all cars can have one installed, so they would need to have a look and give me a quote.

Just wondering, the OEM tow hitch is $149 new, what I need is somebody to have it mounted to the front both legally and securely. Not worth $475 and I cant do this one DIY. Although If I could find a used tow hitch for the front as well, maybe somebody could fabricate the rest for me. If it worked out say $200 labour for installing the supplied hitch Id be fine with that. 
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Alan L Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Oct 2020 at 7:15pm
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I still have the first torque wrench I purchased at about 18 yrs old. That makes it 50 yrs. 1/2". If you get in to a range of jobs - which you prob won't, then 3/8 is useful too. But all round, a 1/2" torque wrench is useful kit for a shed. As for general torques - there are general guides - sure to find on internet - depending on bolt type/size. It is not black magic stuff - common engineering principles. And close enough should be good enough for a tow bar. Doubt I would use a torque wrench on that job. But you are saving $s doing what you are doing - so nothing wasted investing in a good tool. Thats how I built my extensive workshop/tools up over decades. Run into a job that needs more tools - buy them against the cost savings. You have them forever.
Alan
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote FizFisho Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Oct 2020 at 8:36pm
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Originally posted by Alan L Alan L wrote:

my extensive workshop/tools up over decades. Run into a job that needs more tools - buy them against the cost savings. You have them forever.
Alan


Same same, but when I moved back from Aus I stupidly sold it all blah.

But $50 for a 1/2 wrench isnt bad, will probably make undoing any seized bolts on a wrecked car easier than a standard wrench anyway. Also some come with some pretty standard size attachments, although I will probably buy a new kit, I have an el cheapo ratchet system which is pretty low quality, but has done the job for less mechanical works like white ware or general parts changes like headlamps.

Im figuring if they are generic tow bars on the wrecked cars I am going to have to come up with a torque number that is acceptable, if you have any idea that would be great.

Hopefully I snaffle a tongue and hitch system that is branded and will just follow their instructions :-)

Either way for $49 just to tow the boat and occasional trailer I cant really complain :-). 
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