Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

Frans, where did it break?? I know that the Duys is prone to shearing at the mouth of the fixed tube where the removable section is inserted, but yours seem to have broken off somewere?

Evening

The bar sheared on the welded section of the tube where it is attached to the cross bar (if this makes any sense). There was no reinforcing in the form of gusset plates for lateral or vertical stress only a standard cross joint with welding on all sides. We all know (should) that welding although stronger than the metal itself compromises the immediate area around the weld thus the requirement for gusset plates. I am not an engineer and do not claim to be an expert but common sense and experience must mean something.

We made an emergency repair at Tshabong (lost a whole day) by adding a piece of angle iron on the upper end which probably would have outlived the life of the vehicle if we had kept it (the towbar). This actually provided a vertical & horizontal gusset which was previously non-existent.

Regards

Frans

PS: Everytime I walk past a PJ I examine the towbar and recall my experience - we were very fortunate as can also be said for CATS

Hi everyone,

Back Saturday from 2week trip to Pomene Mozz. My Duys towbar started tearing on both left and right hand side L shaped brackets that is bolted to the chassis. Upon inspection in Pomene we notised that the 2x lefthand bolts that go up the side into the vehicle are both missing as well. I suspect the fitter of the towbar never installed them at all, as it is highly unlikely that both would "rattle" out and get lost. By the way my Conqueror was not over laden on the nose as I was able to hitch the trailer by picking it up and hooking it over the towbar. I'm very particular on balancing my cargo when travelling.
I'm going to phone the dealer where the vehicle was bought new and will find out whom they used to have the towbar fitted. (I see a fight coming )

Will keep you guys updated.

I still have my Duys, but I'm getting a bit worried now.

So what's a good towbar to fit to a Gen3 for off-road towing?

Johan

LowRange wrote:I still have my Duys, but I'm getting a bit worried now.

So what's a good towbar to fit to a Gen3 for off-road towing?

Johan

I believe the best one is made by Frontrunner. It is somewhat low but that helps to protect the fulnerable rear bumper in off-road situations. Of course it MUST be fitted with ALL the bolts, IIRC there are 4 on each side ie eight in total. The top ones going in from the side is bit dificult to fit especially on the right rear on the GLS Pajero due to the rear aircon unit, but it is imperative that these ones gets fitted so do take the time to get under the vehicle when you have this fitted and check that there are 4 bolts on each side when collecting!!!!! The frontrunner one is also at least double the thickness of anything else that I have seen on the market and have SABS approval.

CATS