UK Towing Rig...Need help with my balls over here please!

[Manxie]

Howdy everyone,

Some help would be greatly appreciated.

Just getting a tow bar fitted to our 2012 VW Touareg. Whilst we won't be "touring" it, we need a towing set up so we can move our 1973 Airstream Trade Wind from A to B occasionally.

First and foremost, it's my understanding that a 2-5/16 Inch tow ball will be needed as that should be standard by 1973 on the Trade Wind. Is that correct?

The tow bar will have the standard "flange" style fitting which is common in the UK (see example attachment pics)

So with a compatible 2-5/16 Inch tow ball, which you can buy here in the UK, how am i going to fit that to the flange? (see example attachment from a website in the UK)

I ask this because i can't seem to find a 2-5/16 Inch tow ball fitting that would just bolt right onto the flange plate.

Lastly, any advice on the hitch height? Would it be necessary to have some form of height adjuster & plate attachment? (again, see example image)

Any suggestions, additional tips and advice over here in the UK would be most welcome.

Thanks all. Love these forums!

[azflycaster]

2 5/16 is correct for that year. I found this which might work fo you...
https://www.just-tow.co.uk/product/a...l-and-adaptor/

[Manxie]

Originally Posted by azflycaster

2 5/16 is correct for that year. I found this which might work fo you...
https://www.just-tow.co.uk/product/a...l-and-adaptor/

Ah thanks Richard, that's a good find and looks like it will do the job (image attached too)

It's showing out of stock but have contacted them.

Any further advice and tips most welcome

[Manxie]

Giving this thread of mine a bump in case anyone else can help!

[AlbertF]

Airstream has used the 2-5/16" coupler size across the board for well over 50 years. It's the maximum size for ball-type couplers in North America. Options for smaller trailers are 1-⅞" and 2" - a shade more than the 50 mm you are accustomed to.

If I couldn't find such an adaptor "off the shelf", I would find a welding shop willing to fabricate one. In this way, you would also be able to fit the adaptor to the correct height - about 18" from the ground to the top of the ball. Of course, in the UK you might run into a regulatory obstacle, something we don't worry about as much in North America.

The nose weight of the Tradewind is moderate, and the Touareg shouldn't have an issue with it, at least for relatively low-speed towing.

Do you have an electric brake controller? Or has the Tradewind been modified with EU-spec axles and brakes?

[jcl]

Westfalia manufactures tow bars, and list all types of tow ball adaptors, including ones that look like the product shown above. You would need to confirm dimensions. Another option is a similar flange mounted coupler that is a pintle hitch with a ball. These are designed for HGVs. You could simply remove the pintle latch portion.

I would check if your local trailer supply shop can order from Westfalia, or contact Westfalia and ask.