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Tow Bar Tow Bar Cook Book (complete 34 page how-to book)
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Description of the Project: This set of plans describes how to make a Tow Bar for towing one vehicle behind another. Tow Bar Plans This set of Tow Bar plans is a very complete 34 page book that describes in detail every step of the manufacturing proccess, as well as giving complete working drawings, material lists, tools required, supplier lists and much, much more. Also included throughout the book are lessons on various aspects of metalwork, including drawing conventions, tolerances, and how to read welding symbols. Click on the image to the right to see the first few pages of the plans including the table of contents.
Click here for a list of tools required for the Tow Bar plans.
About the Author Forward
I built this tow bar so I could move my converted 4X4 Toyota Celiac from place to place. I made it from scrap I have been tripping over for years. This project is not very difficult but some of the drawings may look a bit intimidating. They’re not really that bad if you take the time to study them and understand them. The templates supplied as an option are real time savers. The drawings (also an option) are supplied in PDF format that you can take to any office services store (like Kinkos ®) for printing or you can purchase full sized prints. The pivot bracket (page 12) is of a generic configuration. It fits my modified Toyota (Figure 1) really well because I modified the car to make things easy for myself. It is unlikely it will fit every application. You will probably have to make a slightly different bracket. You must attach whatever bracket you use to a suitable structural member of the vehicle to be towed or attach a suitable bar to the towed vehicle. Bumpers on modern vehicles are not structural members. Do not attempt to attach this device to the vehicle bumper. Many GM cars have significant structure under the front bumper cover. In some GM applications, you can mount the pivot brackets through the outer cover on to the structure behind. A prudent person would investigate the application thoroughly before attempting to use this device. For some applications, you may have to attach additional bracketry. If you’re an experienced craftsman and if you have the right tools, you can probably make it over the weekend. If you’re a novice, it may require a bit more time but there’s really no particular rush. Take your time and have fun. If you have any questions, I’m happy to help. Do not be concerned about writing or sending an e-mail (dslee@together.net). I’m happy to hear from anyone making my projects. I made this tow bar 5 years ago. I’ve towed numerous vehicles since from an ‘86 Toyota ½-ton pick up to an ’88 Sunbird stock car without a hint of a problem. The pick-up was towed 86 miles partially over back, country roads (paved and un-paved) and partially at 65 MPH over a New Hampshire Interstate. Nothing bent or showed any signs of failure. I’m a mechanical engineer, Ben Franklin Institute,
class of 1965. I’ve worked in Aerospace, Shipbuilding, Robotics
and Telecommunications. My dream is to be chief fabricator for a
NASCAR Cup team.
- David Lee
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