Tow bar for 1997 4wd astro

[GSouthee]

Hi over here in the UK I can only seem to find towbars for 2wd, what is the difference in the 4wd and 2 wd for fitting a towbar.

Cheers Guys

[Rod's Trucks]

I cannot see any reason for there being any difference. Even if it had something that went back well under the sub-frame, there is nothing significantly different that I am aware of.
Does anybody think there is a difference in the sub-frame?
Rod J

[augidog]

AWD should be transported on a ramp only, from what I've learned. I think there might be a way, by disconnecting something, but I don't know for sure.

as always..."corrections welcome."

[GSouthee]

Cheers Rod,

Augi I think you misinterpreted my query I want a tow bar to put a trailer on it.

Cheers G

[augidog]

oh, a "trailer hitch?" we had us a terminology barrier. what do you all call the device used to haul a car behind a motorhome?

as far as I know, there's no difference in hitches between RWD and AWD. could you link us to what you've found so far?

[Rod's Trucks]

I, too, was thinking of the device that attaches to the front of the van, so it could be towed by another vehicle.
That is MUCH different than the rear hitch that is used to tow a caravan, or utility trailer.
"Is the motor under the 'boot' or under the 'hood'?" It depends upon which continent you are on... <GRIN>
Rod J

[sixsix]

I, too, was thinking of the device that attaches to the front of the van, so it could be towed by another vehicle.
That is MUCH different than the rear hitch that is used to tow a caravan, or utility trailer.
"Is the motor under the 'boot' or under the 'hood'?" It depends upon which continent you are on... <GRIN>
Rod J

What...?

[sixsix]

I, too, was thinking of the device that attaches to the front of the van, so it could be towed by another vehicle.
That is MUCH different than the rear hitch that is used to tow a caravan, or utility trailer.
"Is the motor under the 'boot' or under the 'hood'?" It depends upon which continent you are on... <GRIN>
Rod J

I dunno...

[Old Barney]

I took a hidden hitch from a 95 awd and put it in a 2001 two wheel drive ok. It went ok except for the forward bold hole on left side I had to remove it all the way and run a tap through the front hole and had to waller out the front hole on the hitch a tad. Nothing but work. so I would try to run the bolt in each factory hole in the frame first Save some aggravation on a hot day. I believe I had to remove the bumper braces both sides install the hitch assembly. I can not remember but the Hidden Hitch had replaced the brackets??

[sixsix]

oh, a "trailer hitch?" we had us a terminology barrier. what do you all call the device used to haul a car behind a motorhome?

as far as I know, there's no difference in hitches between RWD and AWD. could you link us to what you've found so far?

What... ?

[augidog]

oh, a "trailer hitch?" we had us a terminology barrier. what do you all call the device used to haul a car behind a motorhome?

as far as I know, there's no difference in hitches between RWD and AWD. could you link us to what you've found so far?

What... ?

what, what?

[markmitch]

the trailer hitch is the same between 2 wheel drive and awd however the amount you can safely tow is less on AWD I was told by a garage that installs the trailer hitch on anything they can carry the hitch for that if a rear drive is rated at 5k then the AWD would be 1000 lbs less. He claimed its because the engine is turning both axles so has less power to pull? I am no expert so I suggest finding out the specs for your year and if its rear drive or AWD find out if there is a difference

[90safari]

I, too, was thinking of the device that attaches to the front of the van, so it could be towed by another vehicle.
That is MUCH different than the rear hitch that is used to tow a caravan, or utility trailer.
"Is the motor under the 'boot' or under the 'hood'?" It depends upon which continent you are on... <GRIN>
Rod J

What...?

On the other side of the pond, a hood is what we call a roof, and the boot is a trunk lid. They also use a torch (flash light) for seeing at night or in the dark. Just something I've learned from being on other forums.
I too was hoping he was looking for a trailer hitch, versus a tow bar. As far as I can remember, 2WD and AWD use the same hitch in the USA.

[Mmusicman]

--

Tow Bar:

Trailer Hitch:
(also Receiver Hitch)

Trailer hitch same for AWD and RWD

--

[MechBob]

A hood is a convertible top, in UK. A bonnet is what covers the engine.

[MechBob]

Some of this is from memory-- A "trailer hitch" is more properly termed a "receiver".There are different receivers, some are rated heavier capacity than others.GM recommendations are vague,as normal. Basically 5k for an awd,5500 for 2wd.But you should have the steeper gears for the heavier weight.You can look in any owners manual and find this.Trailer and hitch places recommend traile rbrakes, sway control and load distributing hitch for anything over 2k weight. Also, some receivers will not work with a full size spare.

[dcsleeper]

speaking of which...
I've seen it mentioned a few times here about "the right hitch" Which one is that?

[GSouthee]

Right here we go.

UK speak.

Tow bar fits to vehicle and tow ball fits to tow bar and are is to tow a trailer.

Hood goes over the driver as in a convertible car. Also is a form of headgear.

Bonnet is out front were the engine lives (unless it *** ended ie Porsche) then its in the boot. A Bonnet is also an old ladies hat.

A Trunk is found on an elephant.

Any way all the tow bar suppliers over here state on their ads not 4wd, when I spoke to a couple they did not know why!!!!! arrrrgh.

I have found a supplier not to far from where I live so going down there and see if they can show me why it will not fit.

Cheers for info guys. Now you must try harder to speak the Queens English don't you know. Ta ta for now, toot sweet.

G

[markmitch]

That's funny stuff right there, no offense but the Queen is a figure head and has little to do with the government-learned this from some SAS guys I trained with during my Army days. Also a fag here is slang for homosexual but over there its a cigarette. Mate=friend here a mate is your wife or girlfriend. For some here the term tea time is time to smoke weed same as 420. I for one do not now nor have I ever thought of royalty to be anything more then a word just like democrat or republican, means absolutely nothing to me. No offense meant.

[MechBob]

The UK has to use/follow EU towing regulations. New hitch designs have to be tested,and, as the majority of the Astros that went over there were 2wd, probably never got done, and never will be.They use strange hitches,and tend to prefer a bolted on ball unit.However, as his van is a pre 98, I see no reason he could not order a standard 2" receiver from ebay/USA, and have it shipped there,less than 200 bucks.And, according to their rules, would be legal.