Lockon tow bar

blogzy, Jul 16, 7:15pm
Lockon tow bar. Anyone had experience with these towbars. I presume they are ok ?
trouser, Jul 16, 8:03pm
Really good quality. Very satisfied with mine.
dolsen, Jul 16, 9:49pm
Seem ok, buy them on the grab-one deals that are frequently available.
Only downside it the ridiculously low tow ball / tongue weight compared to the limits.
My one is 750kg unbraked, 2000kg braked, but, only 70kg tow ball / tongue weight. Most of their ones I've seen are similar.
For 10% weight, should be at least 200kg capable.
bigfatmat1, Jul 16, 10:31pm
fitted literally thousands of tow bars over the years never seen one that could support 200kg. That's alot of downward pressure at the rear of car. Highest I have ever seen is 120kg on a 4wd with a 3.5t rating
s_nz, Jul 17, 3:49am
They are quite common. As an example the Mitsubishi out-lander diesel dealership towbar is rated for 200kg of down-force, Misti Pajero sport is rated for 310kg, subaru outback 180kg. Most of the utes dealership fitted tow bars are rated for 300 or 350kg.

Of course you get a heap of sag in the tail if you load them to the limit. Beefier rear suspension is popular for people who do a lot of heavy towing.

Generally cars targeted at the euro market have lower downforce ratings. A mazda cx-5 diesel has a 2000kg tow rating and a 85kg down-force rating. Most euro brands have downforce ratings around 100kg.
blogzy, Jul 17, 6:33am
Had a look on grab one but nothing there. Do they come up often ?
franc123, Jul 17, 6:57am
What sort of vehicle is it going on? If it's a fairly common one and its NZ new you may be able to get a good second hand one, and even better, a proper manufacturer approved bar and the electrics to go with it. Pickapart is also a good source of used bars if you dont mind pulling it off a wreck.
blogzy, Jul 17, 7:01am
I have not been able to find a used. Anyone know if PROBARS are ok.
It's for my Lexus LS430. I can fit myself. Done plenty also.
bigfatmat1, Jul 17, 7:08am
lock on would prob sell you one without fitting if you want to fit yourself
dolsen, Jul 19, 12:48am
Yeah, they come up quite often. In Wellington at least, they flick between a car valet service, and a towbar.

Not sure where you are in the country, but, here's the latest one in Wellington. They frequently come up.

https://new.grabone.co.nz/automotive/automotive-servicing/p/towbar-express-wellington-8

Was looking at buying a second hand one on trademe. Someone else asked about it as well, and, the seller said $500, and then got upset calling the other person a timewaster when he said it was too much. When you can have a brand new one, fitted, with lifetime warranty for $299, why would you bother with a second hand one, that you have to fit yourself, with no warranty unless it was sub $150?

All this assumes that you can wait.
dolsen, Dec 22, 2:18am
If you are only fitting aftermarket towbars, you were probably fitting all from the same manufacturer (or two) with the same limitation. Almost all of the genuine manufacturer ones have significantly higher tongue load ratings and typically will allow for 10% of the rated max load.

cheers.