When it comes to trailers, novice motorists confidently discuss the issues of carrying capacity and maneuverability. But the issues of the towing device are perplexed only because of the definition of the concept. Either it is a hitch for a light trailer, or the hitch head of the trailer, or maybe the drawbar is a hitch ?!
The benefits of purchasing a branded towbar for a car are clear. What is a towing hitch (towing hitch) or a hitch - a hook with a metal ball sticking out below the bumper, for throwing a hitch head mounted on it, installed at the end of a straight or V-shaped drawbar of a trailer. When there is a need to transport cargo that does not fit in the cabin or trunk, the choice of a trailer is accompanied by questions about the towbar. Indeed, depending on the fastening, the permissible load on the vehicle frame is calculated. Of course, the weight tables are available on the certificates and on the back of the bonnet. But what if the coupling is not installed?
Definitely:
- Search for a suitable or native brand;
- In the absence of make to order or by yourself.
What is a towing hitch
In practice, two types of TSU have taken root in Russia:
The advantage of this design is the possibility of equipping the trailer braking system, which will work by means of transferring mechanical vibrations through the ball to the coupling head and ensure the leveling of speed drops on the road: the car brakes, the trailer presses the ball with a lever by inertia, the brakes are activated.
Self-made TSUs try to fit into the specific features of the destination. Otherwise, a ban on operation is possible. There are many models on the market. They all differ:
- By weight classification;
- By design;
- Mounting method;
- Features of fixing electrics.
Towing with non-standard values can lead to bad consequences. Therefore, the classification of towbars begins with the weight load. Fitting into your group will ensure long-term viability.
- For passenger cars with an admissible trailer weight of 1.5 t;
- For station wagons, minivans with a similar value up to 2.5 tons;
- For minibuses, SUVs up to 3.5 tons.
TSU classification:
European design. The difference from domestic ones is the size of the ball, which is marked with inches:
- 1-7/8 is equal to 47.6 mm;
- 2 is 50.8 mm;
- 2-5 / 16 - 58.7 mm.
American design. This is a slightly different story. They have the shape of a quadrangular shaft, into which a drawbar tip with a hook-shaped lock is inserted.
The mounting method involves three types of devices:
Towbar classification:
The towing hitch is the meeting point for automotive electricians and trailed ones. A socket with 7, 13 or 15 pins is usually mounted on the towbar, and the trailer wiring requires a similar plug. It happens that the plug and socket end up with different types of contacts. Choosing a trailer with the right pinout in advance will eliminate the problem. But if this happens, an adapter comes to the rescue.
Towbar manufacturers, offering their products to the mass consumer, are responsible for the quality of the material and the resistance of the elements in the assembly, which can only be checked in the factory. The requirements of OST 37.001.299 regulate the characteristics. Handicraft towbars live and successfully disguise themselves as original samples. It is good if the master knows the formula for the distribution of weight relative to the car body and the installation of fastening points, but no one guarantees the reliability of the metal.
How to install a towbar
Installing a towbar on a car
The hitch is attached to the frame or body of the vehicle. The bumper is usually removed and its role goes to the main beam of the trailed one. In some cases, it is necessary to drill the spar and install the insert plates. But installing your own towbar is a simple matter. If the car manufacturer has provided mounting locations, holes and other elements for installing the towbar, and there is also a document (usually a certificate upon purchase) with the characteristics of the original device, then independent installation is quite legal and logical. The service will offer a certain price. It will pay off if it is planned to drill additional holes or install a towbar that is not native, but suitable in terms of characteristics. The service will issue a written opinion on compliance with the standards.
The state of the ball and the trailer coupling itself requires constant checking for the presence of:
- Loose, torn nuts or bolts (the grover will prevent loosening, but not breaking);
- Ball lubricants;
- The cleanliness of the outlet;
- Welded seams.
The ball is under critical loads and is subject to wear. It is necessary to measure the diameter every 1-1.5 thousand kilometers.
Towing hitch manufacturers
Finally, you can give a list of well-known manufacturers of towing hitch:
- Bosal - 200 samples for cars and trucks from Belgium;
- Brink - leading position from Holland;
- VFM - Russian association under the flag of Bosal;
- Westfalia is a large German company. More than 800 items;
- Aragon - Spanish leader
- HiddenHitch is a North American company;
- AvtoS - Russian company produces trailers and towbars;
- BALTEX is a domestic company from St. Petersburg.
Bosal towbar video review
When the picture is clear, it is not worth wasting time and inventing what is already in the best option... A sensible approach to the solution of cargo transportation and competent installation of the towbar will certainly lead to success. And lovers of inventions should at least be guided by the owners of golden hands.
The frame is the supporting system of the vehicle. It perceives all the loads arising from the movement of the car and serves as the basis on which the engine, transmission units, control mechanisms, additional and special equipment, as well as the cabin, body or load-carrying capacity (tank) are mounted.
Everything trucks have a frame. Depending on the design frames (Fig. 18.1) are divided into spars (ladder) and central (spine). The most widespread in the automotive industry were the first of them. a)
Fig. 18.1. Automotive frames:
a-spar; b-central
On the KAMAZ-43Yu vehicle, a stamped, riveted frame is installed, consisting of two spars of variable cross-section connected by five cross-beams, the spars in cross-section are of channel type.
Brackets are installed at the front ends of the side members, to which the towing forks with pins are bolted.
Front bumper is removable, bolted to towing forks.
Two buffers are installed on the rear cross member of the frame
In addition, a towing hitch is attached to the rear cross member.
The towing hitch of the car consists of hook 2 (Fig. 18.2), the shank of which passes through the hole in the rear cross member of the frame, which has an additional amplifier. The hook shank is inserted into a massive cylindrical body 15, closed on one side with a protective cap, and on the other with a body cover 16.
ai Fig. 18.2. Towing hitch:
1-grease nipple; 2-hook with dirt deflector and rod; 3-axis hook latch; 4-pawl latch; 5-axis dog; 6-latch; 7-nut; 8-chain of the lock pin; 9-elastic element; 10-hook nut; 11-pin; 12-protective casing; 13 and 14-flanges; 15-case; 16-case cover
Rubber elastic element (buffer) 9, softening shock loads when starting a car with a trailer from a standstill and when driving on an uneven road, is located between two flanges 13 and 14, with the help of which the necessary preload of this buffer is created.
On the axle 3, passing through the hook, a latch is installed, locked by the pawl 4, which prevents the bottom of the trailer from disengaging with the hook.
If axial movement of the hook appears after long-term operation of the vehicle, it is necessary to disassemble the towing hitch and, if necessary, straighten flanges 13 and 14 and replace worn parts.
On the ZIL-131 car, the design of the frame and the towing hitch does not fundamentally differ from the KAMAZ ^ SHO frame. Mud flaps are installed in the front of the frame to protect the engine compartment from dirt. Tow hooks are installed at the front ends of the side members. The front bumper is equipped with a folding step. When towing trailers, the rear bumpers must be removed by installing the rear cross member mounting bolts in their original places. On the rear cross member of the frame there are eyebolts for fastening the emergency chains of the trailer.
Hydraulic shock absorbers. When the car is moving, as a result of deformation of the springs, lateral vibrations of the frame occur, which are damped by shock absorbers. Due to the increased requirements for smooth running, shock absorbers have become one of the main suspension elements of modern cars. For military vehicles, this indicator is important from the point of view of the possibility of installing weapons and military equipment on vehicles that require increased smoothness.
On cars, the most widespread are hydraulic shock absorbers, which use the resistance (internal friction) of a relatively viscous fluid passing through calibrated holes of small diameters and limited sections in the valves. The full cycle of oscillations of the frame relative to the axle and wheels includes two periods:
- spring compression stroke, when the sprung part (frame with platform) approaches the unsprung part (axles and wheels);
spring recoil stroke when the sprung part is removed from the unsprung
Rice. 19.3. Diagram of the operation of the brake drive of the car and
trailer:
1 - in a braked state; And - in the braked state 1-compressor; 2-combined brake valve; 3-disconnect valve of the car; 4-connection head; 5-disconnect trailer crane; 6-trailer air distributor; 7-air tanks of the trailer; 9-brake chambers; 10-car air tank
The block and head are cooled with liquid from the engine cooling system. Liquid is supplied to the compressor cooling system from the water jacket of the engine intake manifold and is drained from the head into the suction cavity of the water pump.
Disconnection of the air supply by the compressor to the pneumatic system is carried out as follows. When the air pressure in the pneumatic system reaches 0.73-0.77 MPa, the pressure regulator supplies compressed air through channel "A" in the cylinder block under the plungers 26 of the unloader, which, rising, open the intake valves 21 of the two cylinders, thereby stopping the air supply into the pneumatic system, since air is able to freely pass from cylinder to cylinder.
When the air pressure drops to 0.60-0.64 MPa, the regulator stops supplying compressed air under the unloader plungers. Air from under the plunger is released into the atmosphere; the plungers, under the action of the rocker arm spring, lower, freeing the intake valves, and the compressor again begins to pump air into the pneumatic system
Fig. 19.4. Air compressor:
1-lower crankcase cover; 2-front cover; 3-pulley; 4-crankshaft oil seal; 5-crankcase; 6-block of cylinders; 7-connecting rod; 8-piston with rings; 9-piston pin with retaining rings; 10-head of the block; 11-plug of the discharge valve; 12-spring of the discharge valve; 13-discharge valve; 14-seat of the discharge valve; 15-rear bearing crankshaft; 16-seal spring; 17-rear crankcase cover; 18-seal; 19-crankshaft; 20-adjusting bolt; 21-intake valve; 22-way intake valve; 23-rod of the inlet valve; 24-way rocker spring; 25-rocker; 26-plunger; 27 o-rings; 28-seat of the inlet valve stem; 29-spring-on intake valve
Oil to the rubbing surfaces of the compressor is supplied through pipes from the engine oil line to the rear cover of the compressor crankcase and through a seal along the channels of the crankshaft to the connecting rod bearings. The main ball bearings, piston pins and cylinder walls are spray lubricated.
Pressure regulator (Figure 19.5, a.) installed on the compressor block. To increase the reliability of the pressure regulator, it is equipped with two filters: one filter is installed at the point where air enters from the pneumatic system, the other at the point where air enters the regulator from the compressor unloader. The pressure regulator automatically maintains the required compressed air pressure in the system by letting air into and out of the compressor unloader
Figure 19.5 Pressure regulator (a) and safety valve (b):
1-casing; 2-spring; 3-adjusting cap nut; 4-rod; 5-fitting; 6-mesh filter; 7-sintered filter; 8-regulator body; 9-plug; 10-inlet valve; 11-outlet valve; 12-lock nut; 13 centering balls; 14-saddle; 15-case; 16-ball; 17-spring; 18-lock nut; 19-adjustment screw; 20-bar
When the pressure reaches 0.73-0.77 MPa, the regulator turns off the air supply, and at a pressure of 0.60-0.64 MPa turns it on again. In the housing 8 of the regulator, under the casing 1, there are nozzle 5, inlet 10 and outlet 11 ball valves loaded through rod 4 by spring 2, and centering balls 13. The regulator has a strainer 6 installed at the point where air exits the regulator into the compressor unloader and sintered filter 7, pressed with a plug 9 at the point of entry of air into the regulator from the pneumatic system.
At a pressure in the system of 0.73-0.77 MPa, compressed air, overcoming the resistance of the spring 2, opens the inlet valve 10 and enters the compressor unloader. In the unloader (Fig. 19.4), compressed air presses on the plunger 26, which opens the inlet valve 21. The compressor in this case, as noted above, pumps air from one cylinder to another, that is, it works idle.
When the pressure drops to 0.60-0.64 MPa, the inlet valve 10 (Fig. 19.5, a) closes and the outlet valve 11, having dropped down, under the action of the spring 2, communicates the compressor unloader with the atmosphere. The unloader inlet valves close and the compressor begins to pump air into the pneumatic system.
Safety valve(fig. 19.5,6) serves to protect pneumatic system from excessive pressure increase in the event of a malfunction of the pressure regulator. A seat 14 is screwed into its body 15, into which a ball 16 abuts, pressed against the seat by a rod 20 under the action of a spring 17. To adjust the valve to a given pressure, a screw 19 with a locknut 18 is installed.
The valve is installed on the right air cylinder and is adjusted for the air pressure in the system equal to 0.90-0.95 MPa. At this pressure, the ball 16, overcoming the resistance of the spring 17, opens the air outlet to the atmosphere (through the hole in the side wall of the housing).
Air cylinders (receivers) 17 fig. 18.11 are used to store the supply of compressed air coming from the compressor. They have taps for draining condensate water and oil and a safety valve is installed
The winch is designed for self-pulling and pulling a car
mobiles and trailers through difficult terrain.
On a KamAZ-43101 car, the winch is installed on two crossbars and two brackets at the rear of the car frame, consists of worm gear 10 (fig. 8.12) drum 11 with cable 7 and cable layer 8.
1.2. The gearbox (Fig. 8.13) consists of a globoidal pair with a gear
number 31. The worm wheel 14 is riveted to the hub, which is movable
clutch 3 is connected to the drum shaft 10. The drum is seated on the shaft through the spline.
shaft sleeve 1 and keys 2.
An automatic braking mechanism is installed on the gearbox worm, designed for additional braking of the gearbox worm shaft when the clutch is disengaged, as well as when the safety bolt of the propeller shaft fork is cut in case of overloads. The drum 40 of the brake is mounted on the end of the worm shaft. The drum braking is carried out by the band 8 of the brake mechanism with friction linings. One end of the tape is rigidly fixed with nuts 7 in the front bearing cover 38, and the other is movable in the hole of the same cover through the spring 4, which tightens the tape in the direction opposite to the rotation of the worm shaft 34 when winding the winch cable onto the drum. The tape, carried away by the frictional force, compresses the spring, which leads to a weakening of the pressure on the brake drum. With the reverse rotation of the worm shaft under the action of the friction force, the tape self-tightening, which causes the drum to slow down and prevents its rotation due to the rigid attachment of the second end of the brake tape. At a low frequency of rotation of the worm shaft, the braking force created by the automatic brake mechanism is insignificant and does not interfere with the unwinding of the cable. The tension of the brake band is adjusted by tightening the spring. When tightening the nut 7, the braking torque increases.
1.3. The winch is driven by three cardan shafts 8-10 (Fig. 8.12) from a single-stage power take-off mounted on the transfer case. A shear safety bolt is installed on the rear propeller shaft to protect parts from overload; front
Rice. 8.12. Swan car KamAZ-43101:
1 - front guide rollers; 2 - first and second support rollers; 3 - wedge; 4 - clip bracket for the back of the cable; 5 - the third support roller; 6 - rear roller guides; 7 - cable; 8 - cable transfer device; 9 - driven sprocket; 10 - reducer; 11 - winch drum; 12 - back cardan shaft; 13 - intermediate cardan shaft; 14 - front propeller shaft; 15 - lever for turning off the drum shaft; 16 - cover; 17- hook; 18 - wedge
The cardan shaft has a movable splined connection, which compensates for inaccuracies in installation. The intermediate propeller shaft is mounted on two bearings of the same design.
The cable layer (fig. 8.15) ensures uniform and dense laying of the cable on the drum. The body 2 of the cable layer makes a reciprocating motion along the lead screw 13, laying the cable on the drum. The pipe 15, rigidly connected to the body, and the roller are guides. A lead screw with left and right cuts, mounted on bearing 9 in the drive housing 10 and two supports inside the pipe, is driven by a chain drive from the drum shaft through the driven and driving sprockets 7. The cable is fixed on the winch drum and passes between two rollers 1 installed on axes 5. The course of the body is coordinated with the rotation of the drum so that for each revolution of the drum, the body of the cable layer moves by a distance equal to one step of the cable turn.
The winch cable (Fig. 8.12) is fixed on the hook 17 with a wedge 18. This allows you to remove the hook by knocking out the wedge and give the cable back. A wedge 3 is installed on the right side member of the frame, which serves to secure the cable during self
pulling the car back with the block.
The winch drive is controlled remotely, electropneumatically, by switch 12 (Fig. 1.5) installed in the cab.
The winch drum shaft is disconnected from the gearbox mechanism by turning the shutdown lever 14 (Fig. 8.12), while the shutdown clutch disengages from the gearbox worm wheel.
To turn on the KAMAZ-4310 winch, it is necessary to depress the clutch pedal, install the switch transfer case to neutral and the winch switch to the ON position and release the clutch pedal. To wind the cable around the drum, engage the first gear in the gearbox. In case of forced unwinding of the cable, engage reverse gear.
The system of URAL-4320 and KamAZ-4310 vehicles (Fig. 8.18, 8.19) consists of a compressor, a pressure control valve 3 (on KamAZ with restrictor valves), an inter-cylinder reducer (URAL-4320), air shut-off valves, a block of air inlet oil seals in the casing axle shafts, pipelines and air cylinder.
Rice. 8.18. URAL-4320 centralized tire pressure control system:
Let's figure it out, what is a towbar and what is it for?
Or, as it is also called in accordance with GOST, the towing hitch (Hitch) is designed for towing small caravans and light trailers... The maximum weight of towed structures that the hitch can withstand is 3500 kg. Towbars at the manufacturer's factories undergo complete tests and mandatory certification. All towing hitch devices are attached to the rear, lower part car body... The delivery set of all goods is supplied with assembly and fasteners. Many manufacturers also complete the sale of a towbar with a wiring kit. The towing hitch (Hitch) consists of a "Body" and a hook. The "body" is usually attached to the side members of the vehicle. Great importance is attached to the quality of painting the towbar for foreign cars, since due to weather conditions and road reagents, over time, poor-quality painting will provoke rust and damage to the appearance of the towbar. Poorly painted towing hitch devices have to be tinted about once or twice a season, which creates additional inconveniences, so it is better to buy a high-quality towbar for a foreign car from the very beginning. Hooks on towing devices are welded in and removable. The price, your safety, the safety of loved ones and the safety of those around you depend on the quality of the towbar.
Buy a towbar in the online store Mnogofarkopov
You can order from us or buy and install a towbar in Moscow at an affordable price original and not original for all cars in the world. Mnogofarkopov sells towbars for foreign cars for all popular and unpopular car models. Here you can compare your favorite models and understand their differences. The main difference between towbars from different manufacturers for the same model is:
- price;
- hook type;
- the total mass of the trailer.
When choosing a towing device, special attention should be paid to these characteristics. Since overpaying for a removable hook, and the cost of a towbar with a removable hook differs more from the cost of a towing hitch (Hitch) with a welded one, it makes no sense if you plan to use it all year round. If the use and installation of the towbar is temporary or several times a year, then it makes sense to look at the option with a removable hook. You should also decide on the approximate weight that you want to transport, in order to secure transportation and simply not pull out mounted tow bar due to overload. All products presented on Mnogofarkopov have manufacturer's certificates and meet all the requirements safe operation. We provide the best prices to order towbars all over Russia - try it and see for yourself. Haven't found the towbar model you need? Call our specialists or write to us by e-mail. We will select any towbar model for you! Our sale of towbars will sooner or later be needed by many, so we recommend that you be puzzled with the purchase and installation in advance. Also, if you are looking for crankcase protection, then our experts are happy to help you.
A towbar is a towing hitch (Hitch) that allows you to attach a trailer to the car for transporting goods, transporting snowmobiles, boats, ATVs.
Tow bar design
Devices can differ in terms of attachment to the vehicle and load capacity. It consists of an attachment platform and a hook with a ball. The ball diameter is always 50 mm. The fastening is as follows: the clamping device on the trailer is put on the ball and secured with a special lock.
Types of towbars by type of attachment
According to the type of fastening, the towing hitch is divided into three types:
- removable;
- conditionally removable;
- stationary (non-removable).
The species names speak for themselves. The removable design is attached to the platform using a snap-on mechanism and implies the ability to install or remove the mount with the ball at any time.
The removable mechanisms can also be attached and detached from the platform. But for this, bolts and keys are used for them. That is, it will take a little more time and effort to manipulate this type of ball.
In stationary versions, the hook is attached to the platform by welding and cannot be removed.
When installing the traction device, it may be necessary to remove the bumper during installation and even a cutout in the bumper. It depends on the design features machine and towbar and is necessary for the hook to take the desired position. If the work is done in accordance with the instructions, then on appearance car such a cutout will not affect in any way.
Types of towbars by load
The main criterion for the safe use of the towbar is compliance with the maximum permissible load trailer. According to the type of tractive effort, all towbars are divided into three classes:
- Small. Designed to carry a maximum of 1.5 tons.
- Average. Suitable for crossovers and SUVs middle class... It allows you to transport cargo up to 2.5 tons.
- Big ones. This is already a device for frame SUVs and minivans. It will allow the trailer to be loaded up to 3.5 tons.
Towbar with electrics
When installing the towbar, it is also necessary to connect an electrician to it so that the driver can duplicate the brake lights, dimensions and turn signals on the trailer. This can be done directly from the taillight wires or using a matching unit, the so-called Smart-connect.
Electrics with a matching unit are universal and suitable for all models of modern machines.
