Towbar vs Rear Bar: Towing and Rear Protection Explained

Going out on a weekend adventure in the varied terrains of Australia generally requires some equipment. Be it the Victorian High Country or the sandy terrain of Fraser Island, you need to get your car ready for the challenge. 

There is one question that we keep receiving from the four-wheel drive fans. This relates to the rear of the car. In this context, there is no escape from deciding whether to go for a basic option or a beefier one. 

While comparing the towbar vs rear bar, the hitching option is not the only factor to consider. You have to evaluate your usage pattern, destination, and the importance you attach to maintaining the condition of the panels.

Understanding the Humble Towbar

A towbar is usually the very first accessory that many motorists think of when looking to add an additional element to their vehicles. Today’s Utes and SUVs are fitted with either a stock towbar or an aftermarket model, which is usually designed to do just one job, and that is towing a trailer. 

Towbars are usually light in weight and positioned under the vehicle’s chassis. However, if adventure calls for exploring off-road terrain, then the limitations of a typical towbar begin to make themselves known quite quickly. 

The biggest drawback here is the fact that a towbar is very often low-lying, which means its impact on the departure angle of a vehicle. As such, any time you are trying to exit an obstacle such as a rocky creek bottom, the towbar ends up scraping and getting caught by whatever rock it hits.

The Case for the Rear Protection Bar

The move up to an industrial rear bar completely alters things. In terms of what a rear bar entails, you are talking about a tough steel bumper with a tow hitch. This differs from a tow bar since a tow bar is merely an additional functional device, whereas a rear bar gives protection to the rear section of your 4×4. 

This is a device that protects not only your bumper but also your quarter panels on both sides of your car from getting knocked around by boulders, stumps, and even embankments. The rear bar is the top option when it comes to rear protection & towing. 

It is basically a way of keeping your towing function while also providing your car’s backside with tremendous strength. You can trust that these bars, made of heavy-duty powder-coated steel, can handle any abuse you can throw at them.

Navigating the Comparison of a Rear Bar vs Towbar

In order to choose between the rear bar vs towbar depending on your needs, you should think about what you are using your 4×4 for. In case you have a “pavement princess” whose experience of driving on off-road tracks is limited to only once or twice a year on a flat gravel road, you probably do not need anything but an ordinary towbar. 

You will be able to keep the vehicle lightweight while keeping expenses low at the same time. But for those who spend their Friday evenings packing their fridge and spending their weekends airing down at the trailhead, the rear bar becomes absolutely necessary. 

Unlike the towbar, which is placed lower than the rear bar, this type of accessory provides a better departure angle. At the same time, a rear bar offers more versatility because it can become the foundation for installing other accessories such as swing-away tyre carriers or jerry can holders.

The Reality of Rear Protection Towing

One of the common concerns people have about opting for the rear bar is that they will somehow sacrifice their capacity to tow heavy vehicles. The fact is that a correctly made rear protection bar from an established manufacturer such as one based in Australia will allow the vehicle to keep its maximum tow rating. 

Rear protection towing is the solution for all those who wish to enjoy the benefits of both options. They will be able to ensure the safety of their car’s bodywork from any trail damage but still retain their towable hitch capable of carrying camper trailers or caravans. 

Moreover, the rear bar mounting brackets are usually stronger than those for a regular towbar, hence allowing the distribution of the load along more chassis parts. A great advantage when driving on corrugated roads in the outback.

Recoveries and the Towbar Recovery Hitch

Among the riskiest activities when operating off-road is the execution of a recovery attempt by means of using an ordinary tow ball. Tow balls are engineered to support vertical and lateral loads but not kinetic energies generated by a snatch recovery. 

In such cases, one will require using a towbar recovery hitch. In case the towbar installed is the ordinary type with a square receiver of 50mm, it becomes imperative to remove the towball tongue and install the recovery hitch. The hitch is slid in the square receiver, providing a rated attachment point for a snatch strap and shackles. 

This becomes crucial safety equipment that transforms an ordinary towing device into a recovery hitch. In case one attempts to use the tow ball as a point of attachment, then the steel tow ball becomes a potential projectile hazard.

Why You Should Invest in Rated Recovery Hitches

In case of an emergency out in the field, it is essential to have dependable equipment to fall back on. There is absolutely no room for compromise when it comes to using rated recovery hitches.

This type of hitch has been proven through testing and certification to cope with all the tonnes of load that need to be pulled in order to get your bogged-down vehicle out of the mud or sand.

Regardless whether you are using a standard towbar or a fancy rear protection bar, you should ensure that there is a recovery point at that connection place, which is rated for the job. The majority of rear bars have recovery points already welded into the frame of the bar itself. In case it does not, then the receiver itself will do the job for you.

Departure Angles and Practical Off-Roading

One of the biggest considerations between a towbar vs rear bar is geometry. Even just a few millimetres make all the difference in negotiating tricky terrain. Conventional tow bars have been known to work like ploughs in some cases, getting hung up on the ground and causing damage either to the tow bar mounting points or even to the chassis itself. 

Rear bars are generally designed to be more closely aligned with the shape of the vehicle and will most likely sit higher than the factory-installed bumpers. This makes for a larger departure angle, meaning less chance of scraping against rocks while descending a steep grade.

The Weight Factor in Your 4×4 Build

It is necessary to be honest about the added weight you are putting onto your truck. A standard towbar is quite light and generally weighs between 20kg and 40kg. A solid steel rear protection bar is likely to weigh well over 60 kg and even add up when you get swing-away arms for fitting spare tyres and fuel tanks. 

When looking at rear bar vs towbar options, this weight is something that needs to be accounted for in terms of your truck’s Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM). You can upgrade GVM to enhance your vehicle’s performance and safety. If you are pushing the limits on your GVM anyway due to your canopy, storage drawers, and long-range tank, you need to factor in the added weight of the rear bar. But most people will agree it is well worth it.

Aesthetics and Long Term Value

In all honesty, a 4×4 just does not seem complete without a rear bar fitted. Not only will the look of your vehicle benefit from the addition of the rear bar, but your vehicle will also have some practical benefits from the installation of such a piece. 

A rear bar will provide added protection to your car’s body from being marked with what is commonly known as “bush pinstriping” and chipped paint from the rocks and stones that get kicked up from your tyres on gravel paths. 

After using a vehicle in such terrain without a rear protection & towing kit properly installed, you may find that your vehicle will be quite worn after some time.

Customisation and Versatility

It would be very difficult to find any comparison between the adaptability of a rear bar and that of a standard towbar. Almost all rear bars are modular, allowing you to select your configuration according to your convenience. 

It is possible to use only the rear bar and tow hitch initially and then enhance its capacity by adding an arm to mount a spare tyre. This becomes very useful when you take extended tours in remote regions such as the Anne Beadell Highway.

Additional items such as a jerrycan holder may also be added later as required. The ability to evolve according to your requirements provides a greater advantage to the rear bar in this context. In essence, rear protection towing is all about configuring a system that suits your style of travel and provides an ultimate upgrade to your off-roading.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still use my reverse sensors with a rear protection bar?

It is a common occurrence nowadays that most of these modern-day rear bars come with pre-drilled holes for installing your reverse sensors as well as your reversing camera. Although your reverse sensors will definitely require some calibration to suit their new position, you will not have to do away with any of these important safety gadgets just to get yourself a rear bar.

Is it legal to use a towbar recovery hitch on Australian roads?

It is also advisable that one not drive with a recovery hitch fitted on their vehicle if it covers or blocks their number plates or projects too much from the receiver. However, it is entirely lawful and recommended for one to use such a towbar recovery hitch as a means of recovery in case of towing while out there doing off-road recoveries. It is only required that the hitch be detached upon driving again on bitumen roads.

Do I need to upgrade my suspension if I install a rear bar?

A rear bar being heavier than a factory bumper means that it causes the back of your car to droop. In case there is an additional load such as a spare tyre attached to the rear bar, then the problem becomes worse. It is generally advised to consider fitting either a constant-load leaf or coil spring kit to keep the car’s performance in its natural condition. This ensures that your rear protection & towing setup does not negatively impact your driving experience.

What is the difference between a generic hitch and rated recovery hitches?

Generic recovery hitches will have all the appearances, but since they have not been subjected to the extensive tests needed, they lack any kind of load rating. Rated recovery hitches will definitely have a Working Load Limit (WLL) or breaking strain indication. The load rating will indicate just how much force a particular hitch can handle. It is extremely dangerous to use unrated recovery equipment under tension.

Gear Up with Sharp 4×4 Australia

In conclusion, whether one should choose a towbar vs rear bar depends on how important they consider protection and versatility when out on Australian expeditions. To be sure that one’s rig is shielded from the elements, a rear bar would provide the necessary protection.

At Sharp 4×4 Australia, we eat, sleep, and breathe the outdoors, and we know precisely what it entails to equip one’s ride with all the necessary accessories. Whether it be the simplest towbar recovery hitch to keep one safe or an entire rear bar system for their next expedition, we have the know-how to take care of your needs.

Do not find yourself in the situation where you have crumpled your quarter panel. Come in and see what we can do to protect your 4×4 investment. Come visit us at Sharp 4×4 Australia today and see our line of heavy-duty rear bars and rated recovery hitches.