Tow Bar & Hitch Specialists

A standard fixed tow bar fitted to a passenger vehicle costs $600–$1,400 supplied and fitted. Heavy-duty tow bars for 4WDs and utes range $900–$2,200. Add $300–$700 for an electric brake controller and Anderson plug wiring if you tow a caravan over 750 kg.

Yes — any trailer or caravan over 750 kg ATM in Australia legally requires electric brakes, which need a brake controller wired in the tow vehicle. Proportional controllers (e.g. Redarc Tow-Pro Elite, Hayman Reese GuardIAN) are the modern standard.

A 50mm ball is the standard Australian on-road coupling. A DO35 (or Cruisemaster, McHitch Off-Road) is an articulating off-road hitch that allows the van to twist and roll independently of the tow vehicle on rough tracks. Off-road vans need an off-road hitch — a 50mm ball will fatigue and fail on corrugations.

Every tow bar is rated for two values: maximum braked towing capacity (the trailer weight) and maximum tow-ball download (the vertical weight on the ball). Both are stamped on the tow bar plate. Always check both against your van's ATM and ball weight before towing.