[vanasp]

The towbar with poor mounting brackets

I have a 2006 Pajero 3.2 LWB which came with a towbar fitted by the agents. I religiously checked the bolts before my trips as I tow an off road trailer with rooftop tent.

On returning from a trip to Mozambique we developed an annoying squeak every time we went over a bump and the trailer put pressure on the towbar. On returning home I checked to find out that it was not the suspension but the towbar. On checking I found there were no horizontal bolts holding on the towbar only vertical bolts. I only discovered this when I compared my towbar to that installed on my friend Pajero.

As can be seen from the attached pictures this caused the metal to crack around the mountings. Luckily I caught this in time and could replace the towbar with a better quality unit that had brackets to facilitate horizontal mounting bolts.

On checking other Pajero's I have found that many do not have the horizontal bolts installed even though the towbar has place for them. I can only think they are not installed as it is a bit of a job and one needs to loosen the rear aircon box to get the RHS bolt installed.

[Jimmym]

Hi. I have just sold my Disco and purchased a Pajero. I have been quite shocked to find out that there is a problem fitting a towbar that can both accommadate a caravan and my bicycle rack. I was told that an extention can be fitted but that that it cannot use it to pull a caravan. Now I see the quality of the fittings! This is not the only thing that I was <censored> by Mitsubishi on my Pajero. I am due to purchase a number of pickups for a large contract. I was sold on the Triton, but have changed my mind and will go for Ford Rangers 4x4 instead. When you find a good fitter and a worthwhile towbar, please let me know. I am still gobsmacked what I saw in the photos.

[Gemaskerde Tuinvurk]

Just checked mine and am quite relieved that a proper job was done - credit to Mitsu East rand who organised it!

The bracket that sits vertically is actually larger than your drawing, and has 2 bolts!

See below (angle not as good as yours).

[vanasp]

Hi Karl (Gemaskerde Tuinvurk) thanks for the picture as it shows the correct brackets as well as the bolts in place. Hope this will help Jimmym feel more at ease.

[vanasp]

This picture is of the RHS mounting bracket, which is easier to see the full bracket. The big difference between the new towbar and the old is the fact that the vertical steel plate goes past the chassis up to the higher mounting point, allowing for horizontal bolts. If you look at my original pictures you will see the vertical steel bracket is bend at 90 degrees for the 2 x bolts with a steel round bar welded into the bend.

[Jakes]

Just a reminder to check your towbar bolts,

After reading this post I also found that two bolts were not installed on my towbar. The brackets were in place but for some reason the fitter thought theres no need to fit all the bolts.

[vanasp]

Hi Jakes

I am glad this post made you check you towbar mountings and at least you found there was a problem. When I fitted my new towbar i really battled to get all the bolts installed but it was worth the aggravation as at least now I have a solid towbar and the stress is spread across many points.

Regards
Paul

[vanasp]

Hi Jakes

I am glad this post made you check you towbar mountings and at least you found there was a problem. When I fitted my new towbar i really battled to get all the bolts installed but it was worth the aggravation as at least now I have a solid towbar and the stress is spread across many points.

Regards
Paul

[Nick Gibson]

On the subject of tow bars, I have a removable type towbar with a 16mm pin and 4mm "R" clip holding the pin in place. I generally skin my knuckles when i remove the clip, it is that stiff/tight!

We went away for a weekend with some friends towing a venter type trailer. I am pedantic WRT checking ALL trailer hitches, security chains before a trip, I always check everything before we leave. We somehow lost the "R" clip on a 40km dust road from malagas to swellendam, luckily the detachable bar only fell off when we pulled away at a robot in Worcester I don't know how it lasted that long before pulling out! It must have been an absolute fluke that a stone hit it on the exact right angle to dislodge the "R" clip on the dust road, one in a million chance.

I have bought a M16 grade 8.8 high tensile bolt with nyloc nut and washers to replace the pin and "R" clip. I shudder to think what would have happened if the trailer left the vehicle at 120kph on the freeway into oncoming traffic I am not taking chances any more, small as they might be.

[vanasp]

Hi Nick

That was very unfortunate but also ver lucky that it was not worse.

My removable section is held in place with a nut and bolt as well and luckily has never come loose.

Regards

Paul