Towbar

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

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Markas
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Towbar

Post by Markas » Mon May 14, 2018 10:15 pm

Evening all!
My Bongo had a towbar fitted by a previous owner - from the look of it it's never been used. I've read somewhere, possibly on this forum, horror stories of towbars stressing the rear of the chassis leading to fractures of the welds.
Mine is a Tow Trust towbar. Can someone more technically minded than me cast an eye over the drawing and installation instructions in this link and tell me if this is one of the sort that will ultimately lead to chassis damage or not if I dare to use it!
Mark
1999 Bongo 2.0L, Northstar Outback rear conversion
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g8dhe
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Re: Towbar

Post by g8dhe » Tue May 15, 2018 9:10 am

Unfortunately that is the type that suffers the problem, it relies on the spot welds alone on the nearside mounting :-( The current towbar with the same number has had the design altered and now includes an additional support bar to the main chassis.
Geoff
2001 Aero V6, AFT, full side conversion.
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Re: Towbar

Post by Bob » Tue May 15, 2018 12:40 pm

I've an idea it's not a big job to reinforce the welding. [-o<
Take a torch, toilet roll, and tea bags.

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g8dhe
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Re: Towbar

Post by g8dhe » Tue May 15, 2018 12:51 pm

My garage welded in a support and bolted it to the main chassis after having a chat with them and showing them how the other designs worked, it was quite a cheap option to go down.
Geoff
2001 Aero V6, AFT, full side conversion.
Markas
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Re: Towbar

Post by Markas » Tue May 15, 2018 9:20 pm

g8dhe wrote: Tue May 15, 2018 9:10 am Unfortunately that is the type that suffers the problem, it relies on the spot welds alone on the nearside mounting :-( The current towbar with the same number has had the design altered and now includes an additional support bar to the main chassis.
As I've never towed anything with it and don't have any particular plan to do so, it's not a problem. Is the additional support bar in the revised design a bolt-on part or is it welded to the main towbar structure? Just wondered as if it's a bolt-on bit I might be able to order it separately direct from the manufacturer.
Also makes me feel a bit better about declining to offer having a go at pulling a stuck Ducato Moho off Chester Racecourse over Easter, citing the fact I didn't want to destroy my chassis!
Mark
1999 Bongo 2.0L, Northstar Outback rear conversion
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g8dhe
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Re: Towbar

Post by g8dhe » Wed May 16, 2018 7:35 am

Its bolt on look at the newer factsheet from their site.
Geoff
2001 Aero V6, AFT, full side conversion.
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Doone
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Re: Towbar

Post by Doone » Wed May 16, 2018 2:16 pm

It's bolt on and can be ordered seperately. You need to also ask for the bolts and spacers. It's best to phone them.
Allans Garage retired. Try PGS (Plymouth Garage Services) or Mayflower Auto Services Plymouth
Markas
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Re: Towbar

Post by Markas » Thu May 17, 2018 7:43 pm

g8dhe wrote: Wed May 16, 2018 7:35 am Its bolt on look at the newer factsheet from their site.
That's excellent news! :D
Mark
1999 Bongo 2.0L, Northstar Outback rear conversion
Markas
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Re: Towbar

Post by Markas » Thu May 17, 2018 7:44 pm

Doone wrote: Wed May 16, 2018 2:16 pm It's bolt on and can be ordered seperately. You need to also ask for the bolts and spacers. It's best to phone them.
Cheers Doone, I'll give them a call :D You never know when it would be useful to be able to tow something without ripping the a**e out your Bongo!!
Mark
1999 Bongo 2.0L, Northstar Outback rear conversion
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