TheSamba.com :: View topic - anyone use a harbor freight tow bar for a baja?

Thu Aug 18, 2011 2:52 pm

http://www.harborfreight.com/5000-lb-capacity-adjustable-tow-bar-94696.html

I've picked it up in the store and it seems beefier than the usual vw towbar which I bent, my fault, not the bar's.

Anyway has anyone used one? I like that its collapsible and can be stored in the bug if I want.

Thu Aug 18, 2011 2:59 pm

I guess you could attach it to a strong bumper, or fabbed up cage. I would check out the thickness, and quality of the unit before I commited to it. The front beam is hard to beat for attaching a tow bar.

Thu Aug 18, 2011 3:03 pm

yeh all i can think of for the front beam would be something starting with a ubolt to hold the bracket on. A little more trouble up front but after that should be as simple as any vw tow bar to hook up.

I don't know if the tube bumper I have is up to the job, its just a generic baja bumper that probably sold for 40 bucks.

Thu Aug 18, 2011 3:13 pm

I use those tow bars on rails and buggies. The ones I have are rated for 5000 lbs and I have used them on 500-2500 lb vehicles. They are stronger than typical VW tow bars, but the mounting point is usually the failed location when applied wrong. A beam front is easier to mount than my a-arms - I use the lower shock mounts to build out the tow bar mounts. Try to spread the bar as far to the corners as you can without getting wheel interference - Straight towing is no problem and offers little stress except for braking. But when you are turning, there are big forces on the inside of the turn.

Thu Aug 18, 2011 3:17 pm

shok wrote: yeh all i can think of for the front beam would be something starting with a ubolt to hold the bracket on. A little more trouble up front but after that should be as simple as any vw tow bar to hook up.

I don't know if the tube bumper I have is up to the job, its just a generic baja bumper that probably sold for 40 bucks.
Use 3/8" plate that will sandwich your beam and held in place with four grade 8 bolts on each side. You can then bolt the tow mount to these plates and not have to weld your beam.

Sat Aug 20, 2011 2:47 am

I have both and while the VW towbar is one solid piece, so nothing to really twist up wrong, the HF one is way thicker, can be used on many other things and easier to store. If I ever worry about it, I'll add some plates near the mount piece that bolts to the bumper. It has pins so the tabs can be left on the car, too, or even make a custom bumper piece that stays on your bug. I'm not nuts about HF electrical tools or precision tools, but big heavy chunks of metal from them work well. Oh yeah, their drill bits are junk, too.