Can you use a Towbar Tongue upside down

Submitted: Thursday, Apr 03, 2008 at 23:31

ThreadID: 56263 Views:36036 Replies:12 FollowUps:11

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Oldman

ust wandering

Is it possible/recommended to use the tow bar tongue upside down.

The current one I have drops down a few inches.

Just wandering if I could turn it up side down - are they designed to do that?

Reason: my camper slopes down a bit and I reckon if I could do that then ir would be just about right.

Oldman

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Reply By: Andrew from Vivid Adventures - Thursday, Apr 03, 2008 at 23:35

Thursday, Apr 03, 2008 at 23:35

I've done 50,000km towing with mine that way...

AnswerID: 296521

Reply By: chardthechippy - Thursday, Apr 03, 2008 at 23:53

Thursday, Apr 03, 2008 at 23:53

If its anything like my Hayman Reese, I wouldn`t know which is the right way up anyway.
Before I lifted the LC it was level with the top of the square, now its 3" higher it is level with the bottom.
Cheers Chard.

AnswerID: 296524

Reply By: Oldman - Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 00:07

Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 00:07

On the tongue - one side has a label the the other doesn't.

Oldman

AnswerID: 296527

Reply By: Member - Borgy.. (SA) - Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 00:45

Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 00:45

G'day Oldman

No doubt someone will come on here and tell you its dangerous and illegal and something else....i have mine turned upside down , exactly for the same reason you say you want to turn yours upside down , been doing it ever since i got my ute with no problems, so if i were you mate, i would just go ahead and do it.

Cheers.........Dave

AnswerID: 296530

Reply By: Ray - Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 03:51

Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 03:51

As long as you don't try to use it side ways it will be O.K.

AnswerID: 296544

Follow Up By: MEMBER - Darian (SA) - Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 09:42

Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 09:42

Sideways has been ok for me, but I've had to turn left all the time....I'm thinking of changing it :-o)

FollowupID: 562639

Follow Up By: Oldman - Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 17:38

Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 17:38

Ray,
That would work though with a Tregg hitch

The other good thing is then I woul not have any problems from the pin opening the door.

Great idea Ray.

Oldman

:)

FollowupID: 562712

Reply By: techo2oz - Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 06:25

Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 06:25

Had mine with tongue upturned to raise the trailer height for the past 10 years. No problems.

I have now put raised springs under the old girl and have had to turn the tongue the other way. The only thing I have noticed is that over the years there has been some miniscule wear on the pin. When I am next at a caravan outlet I will get a replacement.

Mine is Hayman Reese, although I have a mate with a different make of towbar and his has an offset hole which prevents him from turning his the other way.

Cheers

Peter

AnswerID: 296546

Reply By: aka_db - Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 07:28

Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 07:28

Hey Oldman,

I just had a new towbar fitted to my Hilux and it clearly shows on the towbar and tongue (stickers) that it can be used either way. Also has two length positions on the tongue, only difference is slight downgrade of tow ball weight if I use the longer setting.

Cheers, db...

AnswerID: 296551

Reply By: Nick R (VIC) - Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 07:55

Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 07:55

as said, you can, but wouldn't another 3-6 inches of lift do the same?

Nick

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AnswerID: 296557

Follow Up By: Oldman - Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 17:42

Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 17:42

Am considering it but that is a bit more expensive than turning the tongue upside down.

But still would rather do as you say.

Oldman

FollowupID: 562714

Reply By: Wayne (NSW) - Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 08:13

Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 08:13

Oldman,

Hint, If you do turn the tow tongue up the other way, make sure the ball is also turned. :-))

Wayne

AnswerID: 296560

Follow Up By: Krakka - Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 10:14

Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 10:14

LOL hahahaha

FollowupID: 562643

Follow Up By: Member - Littleborgy (SA) - Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 10:22

Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 10:22

Wayne, why do that? just turn the hitch the other way round on the trailer. LOL

Cheers, Brad

FollowupID: 562644

Follow Up By: Oldman - Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 17:43

Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 17:43

Wayne
Tried that but it hurt to much

Oldman

:)

FollowupID: 562715

Reply By: Member - Olcoolone (S.A) - Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 08:59

Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 08:59

Oldman I would not do it, it could be illegal........only kidding.

As an engineering point of view what the tounge is made from and the welding would well and truely exceed the weight of what ever you are towing.

To bend 12 mm plate we use a 120 ton press.

Regards Richard

AnswerID: 296568

Reply By: Member -Signman - Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 09:41

Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 09:41

On my HaymanReece type- it show Max. Towing Load..
With the 'bend' down at 2270kg..
With the bend up at 1600kg..
Dunno what that means- just thought you may be interested !!

AnswerID: 296583

Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 13:22

Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 13:22

I take it you are referring to the hitch on your Troopie.

PeterD

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FollowupID: 562673

Follow Up By: Member -Signman - Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 13:25

Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 13:25

Yes Peter- on the Troopy-
But put it up to show there is a bit of a difference in the orientation.

FollowupID: 562674

Follow Up By: stefan P (Penrith NSW) - Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 16:10

Friday, Apr 04, 2008 at 16:10

I always thought you could do more with the 'bend up' :):):) but hey thats just me....and I have seen no stickers to tell me otherwise!!!! LOL

Cheers Stefan

FollowupID: 562696