tow bar snapped on bmw e53 53reg fixed from P F JONES

[mikejcb]

Hi Richard apologies as that was just what a mobile fitter told me as the last x5 before this one had one on and I was going to change pin hitch on trailer to ball but the fitter said no there no strong enough, but Im no expert on that sorry, but Richard they don't do a fixed flange as I asked P F JONES, , buy back to my problem if they have the same insert which I am assuming they have , the problem still lyes with them. Richard if it goes again do you think it might be worth getting a fabricator to make identical inserts with double the thickness PS I will certainly let you know witters response, Thanks mate

[X5Sport]

I think until it's known what the failure mode and cause is then you're as stuck as the rest of us.

Might be an idea to get the trailer weighed when fully loaded, and in particular the nose weight, as even a small variation of your digger position on the trailer dould have unforeseen and unwanted effects.

It certainly needs elimination as a potential cause.  If you find that the uncoupled nose weight can go too high then it would probably be worth having a mark on the trailer showing the maximum forward position for the digger?

Now it's a waiting game.

As an aside I did notice that the Westphalia bars use a milled 'C' section and closed square tube for the chassis parts rather than the plain bar that Witter use.  That may just be what is needed to get to 3.5T rating though.

Richard

[mikejcb]

[quote="X5Sport"]
I think until it's known what the failure mode and cause is then you're as stuck as the rest of us.

Might be an idea to get the trailer weighed when fully loaded, and in particular the nose weight, as even a small variation of your digger position on the trailer dould have unforeseen and unwanted effects.

It certainly needs elimination as a potential cause.  If you find that the uncoupled nose weight can go too high then it would probably be worth having a mark on the trailer showing the maximum forward position for the digger?

Now it's a waiting game.


As an aside I did notice that the Westphalia bars use a milled 'C' section and closed square tube for the chassis parts rather than the plain bar that Witter use.  That may just be what is needed to get to 3.5T rating though.

Richard
[/quote]
SUPERB Richard couldn't have put it better, and thanks as I can see you have put a lot of thought into the problem, good ideas the first one being move the digger back, good thought but I cant as tailgate hits the back of the machine so it is back as far as it can go, I could put the blade at the back but I usually put the blade on the buckets as a stop just incase I brake very hard or had a bang, I cant put the buckets any where else neither, but I have towed this set up every day for 14 years and never had a prob, its down to them 2 bars just not strong enough, as to the Westphalia yes ive seen there 2 bars and u shaped like boxed BUT they are straight and thats why the detachable swan neck is so high if u get what I mean, as the fixed flange would be to low and that's why they use the 2 bars that come up on an angel so its not to low, may be if there better I need to get one of them and change eye hitch on trailer, to ball. do you think I could just get 2 new arms made double the thickness Richard as that's what witter should do for safety reasons

[TimX5]

[quote="mikejcb"]

[/quote]

Shit that's got me worried now coz it's the same as mine.

[mikejcb]

what are you towing with yours Tim

[TimX5]

[quote="mikejcb"]
what are you towing with yours Tim
[/quote]

[mikejcb]

Your fine no weight in that nice long a frame, but lovely set up mate  :xmasgrin:

[TimX5]

[quote="mikejcb"]
Your fine no weight in that nice long a frame, but lovely set up mate  :xmasgrin:
[/quote]

Max weight is 1550 kg so I'm well under and thanks for your kind comments.

[Steamyrotter]

[quote="mikejcb"]if it goes again do you think it might be worth getting a fabricator to make identical inserts with double the thickness PS I will certainly let you know witters response, Thanks mate
[/quote]

Not trying to put a spanner in the works but a general thought...
The towbars made for these are type approved (whether they are good or bad for individual circumstances etc)

if you made anything that modifies the original type approval design, could that affect the view of the insurers??
(ie it is no longer a type approved bar!!)


I am going to have to look at mine now as I tow a twin axle van, and also a horse box (not at the same time..)
more worried about anything going awry when the horse is coupled up.

[TimX5]

[quote="Steamyrotter"]
[quote="mikejcb"]if it goes again do you think it might be worth getting a fabricator to make identical inserts with double the thickness PS I will certainly let you know witters response, Thanks mate
[/quote]

Not trying to put a spanner in the works but a general thought...
The towbars made for these are type approved (whether they are good or bad for individual circumstances etc)

if you made anything that modifies the original type approval design, could that affect the view of the insurers??
(ie it is no longer a type approved bar!!)


I am going to have to look at mine now as I tow a twin axle van, and also a horse box (not at the same time..)
more worried about anything going awry when the horse is coupled up.
[/quote]

Gonna have a good look at mine now , never have I heard of any make of towbar breaking , they must be tested way over there max towing limit .

[mikejcb]

Sorry guys still no reply from Gary one of the owners of P F JONES. ive let them know how I feel getting ignored, so hopefully they will call tomorrow as I should NOT have to wait for witters response to get my refund. ill let everyone know the outcome

[mikejcb]

Hi Richard and all, ive had another tow bar snapped yes 3rd one so I took it to witter and spoke to a boss lad called Andy, he has been fantastic, he promised to fix it BUT when he stripped it down he found that the support bar which goes from left to right like the tow bar had NOT been reffited by the person who fitted the bar previous to me buying it, so pleaseeeeeeeeee note anyone fitting a bar to a bmw x5 you must not throw the support bar away. im getting a new bar fitted my self with a support bar at my cost then fingers crossed it will not break again , I will keep all informed thanks a lot Richard, Mike

[X5Sport]

Holy Sh!t.  That's a serious error with nightmarish consequences!  I'm glad you have finally got to the bottom of this as it was a real puzzle as to how the right bar was snapping so easily even though no 'overload' situation existed.

Richard

[mikejcb]

I Know Richard, ive had WORDS today. witter p f jones and now chester tow bars. 
WARNING WARNING WARNING  those People who have copied the fitting intructions shown on here , you are driving an uninsured death trap DUE TO THESE COMPANYS NOTTTTTTTTT stating  in THERE fitting instructions that the rear support panel should be KEPT ON with your new tow bar, is there any solicitors out there that could advise me if witter should pay for the damages caused to my vehicle due to NOT stating that the old support panel should be left on. Richard please check that yours is still on buddy

[X5Sport]

I had both mine fitted at build (much cheaper than dealer fitting!) and they are the Westphalia swan neck, not fixed like yours.  The OEM use a system that replaces the factory bumper/shell bracing with a new version that also has the tow bar attachments.  No loss of strength, or collision protection either.

Richard