Towbars can be used for a number of purposes other than just towing. For example, towbars can be used for pulling trailers, carrying bike racks and protecting the rear of the vehicle. When choosing a towbar you should have an idea of what you will be requiring of it and get a towbar sufficiently rated to cover these possibilities. When considering a towbar, you should also be aware of both the trailer weight and the ball weight. That is, how much weight does the towbar have to pull along the ground and how much load will be exerted downwards on to the tow ball and towbar.

Bike racks: Many people fit towbars to enable them to carry bike racks and there is a common misconception that this is an easy job for a towbar. However, you should bear in mind that in this towbar application the entire weight is being carried by the towbar; whereas a trailer distributes most of its weight through its wheels. Also the more bikes you add onto the towbar, the further this weight is acting from the towbar mounting bolts and the greater the leverage of this load. Therefore carrying bikes is a significant job for a towbar and a common sense evaluation is needed to decide on the number of bikes to be carried and the rating of the towbar chosen.

Trailers: Towbars are also frequently used to tow trailers. Towing with a towbar but without a Hayman Reese Weight Distribution System can cause unnerving trailer sway, reduced steering and braking responsiveness, less traction and misaligned head lamps. Overtime, using the towbar in this way, you may also notice a reduction in fuel economy and in increased tyre wear. When using a Weight Distribution System, the ball weight  of the towbar remains the same, however the load is evenly distributed through the vehicle's chassis to all four wheels. It is important that the capacity of the Weight Distribution System is correctly chosen and that the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations are always followed.