Towbar a jacking point?

NC_Steve · 25-01-2005, 03:04 PM

I got new tyres fitted today and was surprised to see them jacking the back of my car up by the towbar

used: Does that sound right as I though the common practice was jacking it up by the diff if you wanted to raise the whole backend with one jack?

Kryton · 25-01-2005, 03:14 PM

well if you think about it, it isnt really going to wreck anything is it? towbars are made to have a lot of weight put on them and in most cases more than the actual car weighs.
the only down side i can see is that it is higher up and would take more for the jack to actually reach that height.

trueblue · 25-01-2005, 03:17 PM

just woundering where ya got it done?

svo347 · 25-01-2005, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davway

well if you think about it, it isnt really going to wreck anything is it? towbars are made to have a lot of weight put on them and in most cases more than the actual car weighs.

Maybe true mate but the weight is supported closer to the centre of the load due to where the mounting bolts are.
the weight is applying pressure downwards, not upwards.
I have jacked mine up from the same position, & you can actually see the box section has started to disform/twist slightly.

LUXO_8 · 25-01-2005, 09:02 PM

ive jacked the NC up under the weight distribution bar (the one that mounts up behind the diff) as i couldnt actually get to the diff to jack it up (car is lowered)

i havent had any problems doing it like that (i will actually be doin it tomorrow to do my brakes)

ive never and wouldnt jack it up close to the towbar tongue end

NC_Steve · 26-01-2005, 12:49 AM

They done it the same way MADNC is describing. Now that I know it can be done I think I will jack it up from there from now on too.

JADED6 · 26-01-2005, 02:34 AM

Might try that with the factory scissor jack... Not.
I think for balance reasons it'd be a bit dodgy.

Thanatos · 26-01-2005, 08:38 AM

If it was me, I probably wouldn't trust it...

It just doesn't seem quite "right". lol

Under the diff is the way to go! ;)

Walkinshaw · 26-01-2005, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thanatos

Under the diff is the way to go! ;)

i cant get a jack in there. I use to jack my ea from the tounge, JUST enough to get another floor jack under the car and under the diff. 50-100mm was all that was neaded

The Goodz · 26-01-2005, 07:23 PM

Actually when you put a caravan or a trailer on a towbar, the weight on the actual towbar is only around 100-200kg, the real weight comes when the car is moving, but then the weight is pulling back on the towbar, not lifting it or lowering it. So I would say perhaps it's not the best point.

Alex

pepsimax · 26-01-2005, 07:25 PM

should never be jacked up useing the tow bar it's not meant for that,,bloody hell the damage could be unreal..thats why a car has jacking points or they have a hoist to do it,,never seen a car jacked up by the tow bar before,,

CHARGER · 26-01-2005, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pepsimax

should never be jacked up useing the tow bar it's not meant for that,,bloody hell the damage could be unreal..thats why a car has jacking points or they have a hoist to do it,,never seen a car jacked up by the tow bar before,,

What makes you say the damage could be unreal?, towbar is firmly attached to the chassis of the car and I couldnt see a single problem jacking it there other than the balance factor from side to side and the fact the handbrake wouldnt do shit so you would want to choc the front wheels pretty damn good if your lifting both rear wheels off the ground. But structuraly jacking it on the towbar wouldnt be a problem at all.

pepsimax · 26-01-2005, 10:50 PM

you answered your own question,,i've seen the end result of a vehicle being jacked up useing the tow bar,,it's not a pretty sight and if some one is under it it's even worse,,should never be done on any vehicle..and no one will ever convince me other wise

svo347 · 26-01-2005, 11:44 PM

Have you guys really seen the surface area of the towbar where it joins to the undercarriage..
Go have a look hopefully one day you might actually realise Hmmmm not a good idea!!!

Stevo · 26-01-2005, 11:44 PM

i wont be trying it

LTDHO · 27-01-2005, 07:40 AM

I wouldn't say it's the safest way to jack up a car. I only jack it up from there enough to get the jack to the diff. The tow bar it desgned to handle weight from on top and latteral movement. Not from underneath.

If this is done at a shop I would not go back!

sr180 · 27-01-2005, 12:24 PM

NO. DONT DO IT. The towbar is designed primarily for heavy forwards - backwards loads. NOT heavy up and down loads. If your trailer is pushing more the 50 or so kilo's of force downwards on your towbar then your trailer is not loaded correctly. A towbar is generally designed for 200kg or so of downwards force...

Use a decent jack point -- say the diff....

niko · 27-01-2005, 12:32 PM

is your car on its ***? if so they prolly lazy and couldnt be bothered chuking under your diff, where its the ideal spot for lifting both sides

LUXO_8 · 27-01-2005, 06:55 PM

niko. it is impossible to get to my diff.

same with NC Steves car, its bout the same as mine.

/me will invest in a long high lift jack me thinks