I've got a medium towbar that I plan on carrying somewhere on my M109. It's singled-out and I'm thinking that I'll probably mount it on the outside of one of the framerails, towards the rear of the vehicle. I'm betting that most of you guys carry them in the bed, but I'd still be interested in seeing pictures of any type of permanent mounts.
Oh, and would it be OK to grind down the reinforcing collars so that I can fold the towbar up completely flat?
DO NOT DO IT ( grind down the reinforcing collars ) if you do it the tow bar will be unsafe to use !!!!! there are mounts that are for the tow bar that go on the bumper.
DO NOT DO IT ( grind down the reinforcing collars ) if you do it the tow bar will be unsafe to use !!!!! there are mounts that are for the tow bar that go on the bumper.
Yeah, I understand that the collars reinforce the towbar, but some towbars I've seen don't have those collars and they fold-flat. So what would be the harm in grinding the collars on mine? Honest question. I just don't see what the big deal is.
Thanks for the link KsM715. Reversing the short leg looks like a good alternative to grinding the collars.
It is absolutly safe to grind down the inner side of the collar so they fold down, They were/ are strong enough before the collors were put on and used for many decades, There is only one batch from one company that SOME of the towbars had bad welds, and that is up to discussion, To have the welded collar grinded down is in absolutly no way going to weaken an already strong enough tow bar,and obviously most of the collar will still be applied. it is way over kill and still will be If u do it, I have done it on one of mine and it does not fold all the way but sure is better, Now I personally prefer to separate them anyway, when storing or carrying, And i will say i can still throw that tow bar on my shoulder at 51 and proud of it, but I separate them any way, U can reverse the tow shackles so they go up and rest to tow bar on them and it looks alot neater than that. all has been done before,
Last edited by emr; 01-29-2010 at 22:24.
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ya it is but alot of guys do it even with winches and i havent heard any complaints. also you have a m109 that has alot of weight in the back balancing things out.a tow bar weighs what 200lbs .thats not gonna make a noticable difference
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m35a2c dump winch 15.5s
expandible camper trailer
m105 soon to be camper
97 ram 1500 4x4
ih2410b with 130hp mercedes turbo deisel
Eh, I'm not wild about that (mostly because of the weight on the front tires). I've heard that winches affect tire-life by a noticeable amount, so I'd like to avoid adding any more weight up there if I can help it.
well if you dont want to go in the front why not go between the bed rails above the frame and below the bed croos members?it would be hidden and wouldnt get packed full of mud like it would if you put it on the outside of the frame in the back
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m35a2c dump winch 15.5s
expandible camper trailer
m105 soon to be camper
97 ram 1500 4x4
ih2410b with 130hp mercedes turbo deisel
towbar mounts (storage)
