Tow bar on a 599 | FerrariChat

Tow bar on a 599

Discussion in '612/599' started by BJJ, Jan 12, 2016.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. BJJ

    BJJ Formula 3
    BANNED

    Feb 25, 2014
    1,301
    #1 BJJ, Jan 12, 2016
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2016
    I live in a rather rural environment and actually all cars in the neighborhood have a tow bar and various trailers for the transportation of wood, potatoes, pigs, hen and so on.

    Since I have replaced the Mercedes GLK by the 599 my trailer is left resting, because my search for a 599 with tow bar was without success. After the purchase I contacted the main dealer in Berlin, but they turned me down with the statement that it is not possible to fit a tow bar. I suspect that they did not take me serious. But as a practical guy I know, that any "not possible" is actually incorrect and almost everything can be made to work.

    Does anyone here have experience with fitting a tow bar? It would need to pull a 2000 kg trailer. If so, what make is recommended? And where shall the fixing points be welded into the body? I can do the welding myself, both steel and aluminium, since I have a programmable tungsten arc welder. The electric stuff is straightforward, I suppose. Any reset of the suspension recommended?

    Cheers, Bernhard




    P.S.: I enjoyed the snow chain thread :D
     
  2. BJJ

    BJJ Formula 3
    BANNED

    Feb 25, 2014
    1,301
    #2 BJJ, Jan 12, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  3. odf911

    odf911 Formula Junior

    Nov 30, 2013
    520
    London UK (Chelsea)
    Full Name:
    Olivier
    I suggest you Buy a 4x4 ...
     
  4. BJJ

    BJJ Formula 3
    BANNED

    Feb 25, 2014
    1,301
    You think that this is really needed? The other cars around here with tow bar are mainly 2WD and the engine power of the 599 should be more than sufficient. If so, will perhaps the Murci front drive transmission part fit the 599 or may that be adapted more or less easily? It is contemporary, at least.
     
  5. DXB599

    DXB599 Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Is this an early April Fool's Day thread?
     
  6. Wheels1

    Wheels1 F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 23, 2007
    3,520
    UK
    Full Name:
    Grant
    Bernhard.
    Do you know if a 599 is even rated for towing? I would think not, so I am not sure how you would explain to the police that you are towing under the permitted weight for the vehicle. Maybe it says on the certificate of conformity?
     
  7. [gTr]

    [gTr] Formula 3

    Mar 11, 2008
    1,024
    Hamburg, Germany
    I would assume that a tow bar would upset the airflow in the back as it would require you to cut into the rear diffuser. The cost of a diffuser alone should be sufficient to sponsor a cheap 4x4.
    :)
     
  8. BJJ

    BJJ Formula 3
    BANNED

    Feb 25, 2014
    1,301
    That seems to be a good argument. I would need to think about a hideaway tow bar.Then the cut out part of the diffusor might be made to fit the hole and restore the airflow when the tow bar is moved in.

    During trailering the airflow issue should be less relevant, alone since the trailor will anyway put additional weight onto the rear axle, thus allowing high speeds even with disturbed air flow.

    Cheers, Bernhard
     
  9. [gTr]

    [gTr] Formula 3

    Mar 11, 2008
    1,024
    Hamburg, Germany
    I suggest you call this guy's mechanic that I know of in London. His name is James Bond and I believe his chief mechanic is called Q. They specialize in all this cut and hide stuff.
     
  10. BJJ

    BJJ Formula 3
    BANNED

    Feb 25, 2014
    1,301
    #10 BJJ, Jan 12, 2016
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2016
  11. Caeruleus11

    Caeruleus11 F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 11, 2013
    10,860
    I really don't think this is a good idea. Maybe you can prove me wrong, and then I would be very happy to learn something new. But unlike the Lamborghini in the picture, the 599's all aluminum frame I don't think is really built for such a use and I suspect you could do some big damage to it. I also think that could apply to the driveline components and perhaps even the suspension... I agree with the other poster that for the purpose of towing perhaps an alternate vehicle would be less expensive especially if you factor in the cost of possibly damaging the 599.
     
  12. gt1995

    gt1995 Formula Junior

    Sep 3, 2011
    491
    Rockville, MD
  13. BJJ

    BJJ Formula 3
    BANNED

    Feb 25, 2014
    1,301
    #13 BJJ, Jan 12, 2016
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2016
    Hey, that really is great! I can easily modify the drawbar of my trailer to extend over the roof. Ideally the roof device is attached to the car using suction caps, so quickly mounted and removed again when not needed. No welding or hole drilling or the like. Would have to think about the electrics, though ....

    A further advantange is that I do not need to reverse with a trailer attached. In the past I frequently hit the side pillars of the entrance to the estate, when trying to reverse in. :D

    P.S.: That gives me an even further idea. The roof hooking device that you have suggested might be made to just as well take a set of wings and four Pratt & Whitneys. Similar to this:

    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GwLZgX1cUA[/ame]
     
  14. Cyphur01

    Cyphur01 Rookie

    Jan 23, 2012
    36
    Keller, TX
    Full Name:
    Nick Johnson
    #14 Cyphur01, Jan 12, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  15. BJJ

    BJJ Formula 3
    BANNED

    Feb 25, 2014
    1,301
    See, it is possible :D.

    I will make a go and present a photo of the result, which I predict will be very satisfying. As you know, pictures do not lie and tell more than 1000 words (learned that from eBay adverts) :D
     
  16. donv

    donv Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 5, 2002
    23,988
    Portland, Oregon
    Full Name:
    Don
    Let us know how the clutch fares!

    Also, have you considered a roof rack?
     
  17. BJJ

    BJJ Formula 3
    BANNED

    Feb 25, 2014
    1,301
    #18 BJJ, Jan 13, 2016
    Last edited: Jan 13, 2016
    Not really. The hens would not be amused to sit on the roof. They surely prefer the trailer they are used to. Not to speak of the pigs, which clearly are too heavy for being placed on the roof (in Germany the total roof load on a personal car shall not exceed 75 kg).
     
  18. odf911

    odf911 Formula Junior

    Nov 30, 2013
    520
    London UK (Chelsea)
    Full Name:
    Olivier
    what about sheeps or goats?
     
  19. donv

    donv Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 5, 2002
    23,988
    Portland, Oregon
    Full Name:
    Don
    #20 donv, Jan 13, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  20. BJJ

    BJJ Formula 3
    BANNED

    Feb 25, 2014
    1,301
    I do not understand this question, I do not have any sheep or goats.
     
  21. TheCook

    TheCook Formula Junior

    Oct 16, 2015
    304
    Buckinghamshire
    Full Name:
    Ian
    #22 TheCook, Jan 14, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  22. BJJ

    BJJ Formula 3
    BANNED

    Feb 25, 2014
    1,301
    #23 BJJ, Jan 14, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Incomplete sheep do not count.


    This image seems to be relevant for both threads, this one (so far referring to goats on the roof) and the snow chain thread (resp. their absence) :D
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  23. Skidkid

    Skidkid F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 25, 2005
    8,683
    Campbell, CA
    Full Name:
    John Zornes
    Love the quilted sheeps complete with piping.
     
  24. Ferrari 360 CS

    Ferrari 360 CS F1 Veteran

    Dec 4, 2004
    6,707
    Cape Town,SA
    Full Name:
    Jacques
    Surely one of the most bizarre threads I have yet read on F chat.
     

Share This Page