friction type tow hitches

23:18 Dec 29, 2009 

You're welcome, Michael! Happy New Year to all involved!

21:44 Dec 29, 2009 

Hi Teresa,

I think you got it spot on - together with Jack and juvera. Should have posted this one first in the English section. Must be a friction device or a stabiliser or a "safety coupling" like you said.
Thanks ever so much for this very helpful input. Now I've just got to work out to whom I'll give the points. Toss a coin? Anyway - thanks and Happy New Year!!! Michael

22:14 Dec 28, 2009 

Here's another pertinent link
http://www.pkw-anhaenger.com/anhaengerkupplungen.php

However, I still think that a friction-type tow hitch is a simple device as I described it, where the pressure between the mating parts creates some friction (still allowing the tongue to pivot, but not just "resting" under the trailer's weight as in some heavy trailer hitch systems) and NOT a separate device, as Jack seems to suggest (and it won't prevent the trailer from separating - that's what the chain is for in the US and the Abreissseil in Germany - not that it helps much, and you really don't want a heavy trailer connected too well, since it could create problems for the towing vehicle)

The Sicherheitskupplung mit Spurstabilisierung in the above link is probably a way more sophisticated system...if you have the time, I'd ask the client (in the interest of truth in advertising)

21:53 Dec 28, 2009 

Thanks, Michael - I meant the brand of the carrier. Is the multi-height tow bar part of the carrier? Then I suspect it might be the horizontal part that goes into the receiver, only a custom version that allows devices to be hitched to the tow vehicle.
It just doesn't sound like a stabilizer bar or device

Of course the system I described would tend to fishtail less than a completely movable (floating) connection. But if you want to negotiate curves with a trailer, it's got to be able to articulate.
Good luck!
Wait; I read it again - all it says is that if you want to attach both (bike carrier and trailer), you can't use a trailer with a friction type hitch - so you can't use the type of hitch I explained earlier. This part has nothing to do with the bike carrier.
See http://www.anhaenger-berger.de/index.php?seite=service for German terminology (Kugelkopf-Kupplung (mit Schlingerstop - but that's probably a proprietary name)
Wo sind die Anhaenger-Eigner, wenn man sie braucht?

20:57 Dec 28, 2009 

Hi Teresa, tks. for your ideas on the subject. The car is a Land Rover Discovery 2010. Doubt that this'll help. I think that Jack got close with his answer. Must have something to do with a tow hitch that prevents the trailer from fishtailing. In German we call that "Spurstabilisierung". If this is something you attach to the ball (or the hitch) then maybe it is not possible to attach the bike carrier at the same time. Maybe. Thanks a lot for your help. Michael

19:16 Dec 28, 2009 

Sorry, your text is not very clear (e.g., the tow bar/ball story - s.o. already asked); here's how such a "tow hitch" (that's the part on the trailer [or whatever] that gets hitched to the car!) works. The tip of the trailer tongue contains a mechanism (pointing downwards = part that meets the ball) that is tightened with a small lever on the top of the hitch. (Pictures of such couplers at http://www.easternmarine.com/em_store/couplers/) This is pretty much the standard set-up for US vehicles (most of which have them; except for very small cars), and there is no "friction device" as such.

Another possibility for the "multi-hitch tow bar" is that it's one of those adapters that allow moving the ball up and down a vertical bar on the stinger (that's the part that goes into the receiver on the towing vehicle). It's is often used here on lifted pickups to make them fit (in height) for standard trailers. (click on Adjustabel Hitches on http://www.trailerhitchsource.com/)

However, I am not sure how all that or some of it fits your description. It would help to know the brand/vehicles it fits/etc.