|
Welcome to the Australian Ford Forums forum. You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and inserts advertising. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members, respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features without post based advertising banners. Registration is simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today! If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us. Please Note: All new registrations go through a manual approval queue to keep spammers out. This is checked twice each day so there will be a delay before your registration is activated. |
|
The Pub For General Automotive Related Talk |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
05-10-2007, 09:49 AM | #31 | |||
Miami Pilot
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: ACT
Posts: 21,704
|
Quote:
Most police officers would just warn you unless it's your second warning, or unless the rego number is obscured, or if you were involved in an accident and they could see that the towbar tongue specifically caused damage to a person.
__________________
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Hammer: FG GTE | 376rwkw | 1/4 mile 11.793 @ 119.75mph 1.733 60' (4408lb) 1 of 60 FG MK1 335 GTEs (1 of 118 FG Mk 1 & 2 335 GTEs). Mods: Tune, HSD/ShockWorks, black GT335 19” staggered replicas with 245 & 275/35/19 Michelin Pilot sport 5s Daily: BF2 Fairmont Ghia I6 ZF, machine face GT335 19” staggered Replicas with 245s and 275s, Bilsteins & Kings FPV 335 build stats: <click here> Ford Performance Club ACT |
|||
05-10-2007, 10:13 AM | #32 | |||
Regular Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Mackay
Posts: 465
|
Quote:
for that thousandth of a second while the car has only hit the tongue and nothing else the energy would be concentrated on the towbar and not directly the car. Then as the tongue protrudes through the front bar and radiator of the car that has hit it the force would then begin to evenly apply to the rest of the car. In that split second you would have the tongue/towbar taking the full force of the impact. This increase of force in that tiny time difference i would say would be negligble especially when you weigh up the loss of of engery due to movement in the pin that holds the tongue... So overall.... i would have to agree....diddly squat difference thats my 2 cents |
|||
05-10-2007, 12:08 PM | #33 | ||
Not so low, not so slow.
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Broady
Posts: 532
|
when my old XF was rear ended, the newly fitted tow bat took the force of impact fro m the rear pannels and transfered it to the chassis. The only problem then is that the weak points in a car then start to show up..
it kinked at the sill belo the B pillar and the roof dimpled on the b and c pillars. they dont remove stresses, they just transfer them to different locations. |
||
05-10-2007, 12:47 PM | #34 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Sydney
Posts: 699
|
Re the energy transfer, it probably all comes down to all the circumstances, what type of car hits you, the design of your tow bar etc, the design and energy absorbtion qualities of your bumper etc. I am no engineer so I can't vouch for what I was told. In any event the neck injury would have happened, the only issue was if it could have been reduced by not having the tongue on. The particular design of the tow bar in question was that without the tongue, there was actually a fair bit of soft plastic and metal before any real vehicle structure/substantive tow structure was reached. This was reported on by an investigator for an insurance defence lawyer saying that the presence of the towbar tongue was a contributing factor to the severity of the injury. Ultimately the case was settled without any need to have our own expert conter that suggestion, or have a judge rule on the merits of the argument.
Ultimately though I am now willing do do all I can now to minimise injury, regardless of how miniscule that effect may be. It also takes away an scumbag insurance defence (if the worst happens) that you contributed to the severity of any injury by leaving a towbar tongue in place whilst not necessary. |
||
05-10-2007, 01:03 PM | #35 | ||
soon to be a McDonald :D
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: hoppers crossing
Posts: 894
|
WTF!!!!
I know my dad got asked about how long his had been on his old EF and if it was dont by ford he didnt know,so he just got warned.But wats the harm in them anyways,unless u hit some with one them your screwed.How is it any different to having you car lowered.If its dont to a legal height then wats the problem,i just dont see why cops wat to pull people up on that for.Bit of a joke i think.
__________________
Walking billboard Kia Rio |
||
05-10-2007, 02:19 PM | #36 | ||
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Adelaide,SA
Posts: 293
|
nope no fines ever, was rear-ended in a petrol station the old couple wanted to be where i was and couldnt wait, but instead they had a nice imprint in their front bumper,So i leave it on for the sole purpose that if someone wants to rear end me then they can but its going to hurt, plus you will never know when your going to need it
__________________
2008 BF F6 Typhoon, 19" dark argents B**** with Boost |
||
05-10-2007, 05:16 PM | #37 | |||
Not so low, not so slow.
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Broady
Posts: 532
|
Quote:
you will probably find the neck injury was caused by the sudden bovement, and having her head in a turned position would have just added to it. I have spinal alignment issues needing constant chiropractic care and have experienced impacts with a turned head and straight head. turned its harder for the muscles to support and the movment that follows can be damaging. looking straight ahead, the muschels should be able to support better.. but that doesnt matter. Im sorry to hear of your partners injury. Hopefully it can be worked with and made managable. |
|||
05-10-2007, 09:25 PM | #38 | |||
.................
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Geelong atm..
Posts: 718
|
Quote:
ive never been booked for it.but i am polite to the police anyway. why give them reasons to look closely at the car?
__________________
Still about lol... 02 (VX) Holden Commodore Equipe series 2 S/wagon. Manual, Lsd, Catback, Svsi lpg. still a nice reliable upgrade from the old magna.. |
|||
06-10-2007, 01:08 PM | #39 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Bunbury WA
Posts: 464
|
theres another side to the story that doesn't seem to have been mentioned...
my towbar is secured with a pin - fairly easily removed so i always leave it off unless i'm (rarely) towing something. main reason being when reverse parking into a tight spot between 2 other cars the lack of a towbar can be the difference between fitting in a spot and having to look for a bigger one. also i would imagine that if someone underestimated the space needed and hit the car behind (no i haven't done this), a light bump with the bumper would be unlikely to cause any damage to either car, but a towbar hit would probably be a different story. |
||
06-10-2007, 06:46 PM | #40 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Sydney
Posts: 699
|
Quote:
It really was a combination of many things - all at the wrong time. Simply something to think about. It may never be able to be proven that the towbar tongue made it worse, certainly would not have helped. Makes insurance issues harder too - thats a pain enough in the neck ('scuse pun) as it is. All in all, whilst it was pretty unlucky, and looks likely to be a life long minor hassle (no more waterskiing, snow skiing, taxis or buses - they can't drive smoothly, etc for wife), there are plenty more people out there that would love to have 'only' that issue. I am also pretty keen on a new car for the missus that has those active headrest things. Even considered a Volvo for the WIPS whiplash protection system - but got over that idea pretty quick though. |
|||
07-10-2007, 02:27 AM | #41 | ||
LPS
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Geelong
Posts: 1,601
|
I got over bashing my shin into the gooseneck within the first week of owning my BA so it stays in the shed and only gets put on for the odd occasion I need to tow.
As it is, the mount for the gooseneck protrudes slightly and is enough to let you know you have backed into the wall at Crown Casino without doing damage to the rear bar. |
||
07-10-2007, 07:59 AM | #42 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Did you have an extra bowl of STUPID this Morning
Posts: 39
|
A few have mentioned on here about being "rear-ended" , a safety tip
IF you are in the "Right Lane" waiting to turn Right , which way are your front wheels pointing ? I reckon they should be "Straight"... If you've got them turned right and get "rear-ended" , you'll end up heading into "oncoming traffic". While you're waiting , have your wheels Straight , better ending up 100 metres down the road than in the front of the other cars , Surprising how many people don't know and sit with their wheels turned .... carnutt
__________________
" Life is like a ROLL of Toilet Paper , The MORE you use it , the LESS there is LEFT " Oi , Watch it . Or I'll Rip Your BLUDDY Arm's Orf
|
||
07-10-2007, 08:28 AM | #43 | ||
Blue Power enhanced
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Frankston Heights
Posts: 843
|
HaHa years and years ago i use to use my towbar on the old XD for reverse parking ( against a wall ) in shopping car parks. wait for the donk and chuck her in park.
__________________
QIKSUV vic plates for sale also selling my C.A.P.A tune box |
||
07-10-2007, 07:29 PM | #44 | ||
Force Fed Fords
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Victoria
Posts: 5,556
|
I am pretty sure it is technically unroadworthy for a vehicle in Victoria to have an attached tow bar if it is not towing something as it would count as a sharp protruding object; but as for enforcement of it I have yet to hear of someone getting fined or defected.
__________________
2021 Focus ST-3 Mountune Enhanced |
||
07-10-2007, 10:45 PM | #45 | |||
.................
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Geelong atm..
Posts: 718
|
Quote:
mum's toyota - towbar sisters sigma - towbar. doesn't have the car anymore sisters fairmont - towbar my ea s-pack - towbar my old ea gl - towbar. sold it... i updated to the s-pack dads ea - towbar my old telstar - towbar. sold it, i didn't need the daily for work anymore sisters chrysler centura - towbar all these passed with the tounge and ball fitted! and this is in the last 5 years so it kinda depends on who is doing the rwc. and what mood the copper is in if they are looking at the car.
__________________
Still about lol... 02 (VX) Holden Commodore Equipe series 2 S/wagon. Manual, Lsd, Catback, Svsi lpg. still a nice reliable upgrade from the old magna.. |
|||
08-10-2007, 04:00 PM | #46 | |||
'03 BA XT
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Berwick, VIC
Posts: 526
|
Just to illustrate what happens when you get rear ended and you have tow bar fitted:
Just compare the damage, I reckon I'd be much better if I had the tongue and ball fitted at that time.
__________________
Melbourne family photographer -Discount for AFF members (PM me first) : Beautiful Photography Blog 2003 BA XT IMPCO SVI - TYPHOON CAI +XR6T snorkel - K&N Panel Filter - DBA Slotties - Tint 1998 Toyota Landcruiser Prado www.bseries.com.au/alecrain Quote:
|
|||
08-10-2007, 05:40 PM | #47 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Bunbury WA
Posts: 464
|
the higher likelihood of damage without a towbar may also be a reason to leave the towbar off.
my rear bumper is in need of a respray so i'd be quite happy for someone else's insurance company to pay for it i had someone reverse into me once in my old EF, and their towbar put a 1 sq cm hole in my front bumper - was right next to the number plate - barely visible. they were uninsured but since it was entirely their fault my insurance co just went after them for the money and didn't cost me a cent but got me a whole new bumper. It was in need of a respray anyway and without a towbar there would probably have been no damage. so there's for and against arguments in there, depending on whether your car needs painting... |
||
08-10-2007, 05:57 PM | #48 | ||
Regular Schmuck
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,640
|
Never had a problem with my towbar, apart from a few battlescars on my shins... :(
|
||
16-10-2007, 07:24 PM | #49 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: NSW
Posts: 2,000
|
Quote:
So yes wheels straight. |
|||
17-10-2007, 02:39 PM | #50 | ||
Starter Motor
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 12
|
i havent been fined but my mate said he's gotten in trouble for having a towbar. he's a p plater
|
||
17-10-2007, 07:19 PM | #51 | ||
FG XR6T trayback
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: N-W NSW
Posts: 1,314
|
Got a tow-ball defect about 8 yrs ago in a VR ute. The Lic plate is off to the side on the ute, not behind the towbar, but that made no difference to this smart cop. He said the lic plate must be visible from any angle. Go figure.
|
||
11-01-2008, 11:33 PM | #52 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Craigieburn
Posts: 54
|
the only time iv egot pulled over is becuase on the xc's with the after market towbars the bal obstructs the numbers partially and what i said to the cop ill say here , "yeah becuase if i go past a speed camera it cant get my rego right " and he didnt say a word , although he was good he didnt pin me.
|
||
12-01-2008, 06:52 PM | #53 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Brisvegus
Posts: 435
|
I leave mine on for idiots that can't stop in time....How many fishing rod holders do you see on bull bars? they are only legal if being used i.e with rods in them otherwise they have to be at the back of the bull bar. I'm sure if muscle cars had them then we would all get pinged
|
||
12-01-2008, 07:01 PM | #54 | ||
Regulator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 4,168
|
Never had any problems with having mine on.
Infact many police cars down here in Melbourne have them on, so it can't be too illegal?
__________________
Regards Bobby Current Cars: 2000 AU2 Fairmont (2019-current) 2003 BA1 Falcon Divvy Van (2017-current) 2009 VW Mk6 Golf 118TSi (2020-current) Previous Cars: 2003 MCX10R Avalon VXi (2017-2020) 1995 EF1 Falcon GLi (2016-2019) 1997 XH2 Falcon Van OPT20 (2016-2019) 2006 BF Fairlane Ghia (2013-2018) 2001 AU3 Futura (2010-2013) 1996 EL Fairmont (2008-2010) 2004 BA XR6 (2005-2008) 2001 AU2 Forte (2005-2006) 1988 EA Fairmont Ghia (2003-2005) 1984 AR Telstar TX5 Ghia (2001-2005) |
||
12-01-2008, 07:26 PM | #55 | ||
LOW AND SLOW
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Geelong.
Posts: 2,644
|
I started this thread back in October due to another thread about Harold Scruby wanting to ban them as they were apparently dangerous to pedestrians. Im happy for it to continue but if the mods feel the need to close it, im happy with that too. Cheers, Adam.
|
||
13-01-2008, 01:17 AM | #56 | |||
Regular Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Sydney
Posts: 439
|
Quote:
good on ya buddy. |
|||
13-01-2008, 04:44 AM | #57 | ||
Powered by Ford
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Where the beers cold
Posts: 2,349
|
Driving mums Vk Commodore about 10 years ago i was pulled over for the tow ball obscuring the licence plate, was fined $70 & lost 1 point, i asked the cop nicely for how about a warning and i'll take it off as soon as i get home, he just smiled and started to fill in the forms for the fine : and it went through 2 RW's like that, that we know of.
|
||