The folding tow bar is one of the best features of a Good Trailer, especially if you’re using one of our concession or office trailers. Getting the tow bar up and out of the way gives you more work-space on-site while eliminating a common headache and safety hazard.
But using the folding tow bar is not as easy as simply walking past the bar and flipping it up as you move about the trailer. There are some steps you’ll have to take, because a tow-bar that flips up too easily would be a safety hazard on the road.
Fortunately, you’ll be able to take care of your tow bar pretty quickly once you get the hang of using it. Here’s what you need to know.
Table of Contents
What You Will Need
You will need to gather the following tools before you attempt to fold up the tow bar.
- 2 x 15/16” or 24mm wrenches
- Crescent or socket wrenches may also be used
- GoodMFG® recommends using ⅜” or ½” drive sockets
- Pliers
Optional:
- Safety Glasses
- Impact Drill (for socket users)
- Storage tray for part
Understanding the Parts of Your Tow Bar
Step-by-Step Instructions
As you begin following these instructions, you will start to detach some parts like pins, bolts, and eyelets. We recommend placing those items in a storage tray as you work. We also recommend removing as little from the tow bar as possible. Once you are done folding the tow bar, store any loose pieces in a safe place until you are ready to lower and lock the tow bar once more.
Warning: The tow bar weighs 40-45 pounds. Make sure you can safely lift this much weight before attempting to raise the tow bar, or ask another person to help you.
1. Park the trailer and uncouple from the tow vehicle.
- If the trailer is already lowered, you will need to raise the front of the trailer (by extending the forward piston) slightly, in order to remove the C-brackets during the next step.
2. Remove the two C-brackets
- You will need two wrenches/sockets. One to secure the Nyloc nut while the other turns the bolt
- Rotate the wrenches counter-clockwise in opposite directions to loosen the nuts.
- Remove the C-brackets from the tow bar.
- Reassemble each C-bracket assembly to avoid losing small parts
Once the nuts are removed, pull the bolts free. While you may be able to do this by hand, some find it useful to grip the bolts with a pair of heavy-duty, vise-grip, or channel-lock pliers.
Safety: Wear safety glasses, especially when using the impact drill.
3. Secure the 7-way plug to the tow bar with the attached clamp to avoid pinching or damaging the cable.
4. Lower the trailer all the way to the ground and make sure the forward piston’s foot is fully retracted.
5. Pull the detent pin at the base of the hydraulic piston.
- Fold the forward piston downward, then secure the forward piston with the detent pin. This prevents the forward piston from tipping back and contacting or damaging the trailer wall once the tow bar is folded.
6. Loosen tow bar eyelets.
7. Remove the square tube pins (the bars that slide in and out of the sides of your tow bar). If the square pins feel stuck, try lifting the tow bar slightly to relieve any pinching or pressure.
8. Unlock and pull the locking pins from the tow bar hinge, leaving the pivot pins in place.
- Note: These bolts can be installed facing either direction.
- If the pins slide outward: remove the eyelet that is blocking the bolt.
- If the pin slides inward: loosen the eyelet but leave it in place.
9. You may leave the jack attached to the tow bar in the folded position, or you may also pull it off and stow it if it is in the way.
10. Now that all locks and pins are removed, you may now raise the tow bar into the folded position
11. Lower the square pins back into their slots so that they now rest on the ground. The square pins will serve as “feet” that prevent the tow bar from lowering while it is in the upright position.
12. Remove or rotate the coupler assembly to prevent damage to the trailer’s forward wall panel.
- This step can be performed before the tow bar is folded, if desired.
To unfold the bar, remove the square pins and lower the tow bar. Replace the square pins and eyelets. If they are not perfectly aligned, you’ll need to raise the bar slightly. Fold the bar back into the towing position and replace the C-bolts. Tighten the eyelets until you feel resistance. Replace the cotter pins. Raise the forward piston and lock it with the detent pin. You may now attach the trailer to your towing vehicle.
Where to Get Help
Still struggling with your forward tow bar? Call our office at (360) 889-9789 to get help from one of our trailer experts.
Reserve Your Trailer With Folding Tow Bar Today
While it might seem like it takes a lot of steps to lower your folding tow bar, the truth is you only have to do it a few times before it will become second nature to you. Once you’ve gotten the hang of it, the process only takes a few minutes. While you may not want to fold the tow bar
every time you use the trailer, it will always be useful to do so when you intend to have your trailer in one place for any significant period of time.
Our production schedule fills up fast, so if you want to enjoy this convenient safety feature don’t hesitate to place your order ASAP! Once you’ve experienced the ease and convenience of a Good Trailer, you’ll never want to use any other trailer. Contact us today!
See also:
4 Ways the Good Trailer Foldable Tow Bar Will Improve Jobsite Safety
How to Use Your Hydraulic Drop Deck System
How to Create an Incredible Concession Trailer With Good MFG
