223 Towbar

[Emzedder]

Hi peeps
First post here but I don't suppose it'll be my last
I've searched the forums in vain for any reference to a towbar to fit the Lomax 223.
Can anyone give me any ideas ?
Is there a standard fitting one for the 2CV or do we have to fabricate our own ?
Regarding fabrication, I once helped my elder brother fit a towbar to a Bond Ranger !
( a curious Hillman Imp engined 3 wheeled beast, awesome torque & some fantastic wheelies )
However he is sadly no longer with us & I fear I will probably have to enlist the help of someone with a bit more welding expertise when 'lockdown' ends.
I'm seriously considering a 'multi-purpose' trailer (made from alloy box section) which will 'treble' as a bike trailer, a box trailer & an ultra lightwieght teardrop caravan.
Don't laugh I might surprise you all
Anyway hope someone out there has an answer for me, even some photos of one already fitted to give me an idea of the basics.
Let's hope we are unlocked soon & we can get out n about again.
Thanks in advance, I know from the posts I've read that you're a friendly helpful bunch

[QFAD]

Hi Emzedder,

I have never heard of an off the shelf tow bar kit for a 223, it has been done by Claus, see the light weight caravan posts in the Tech forum posting.
I suggest you message him to see how he fabricated his tow hitch.

I have had some preliminary thoughts and when upgrading QFADs rear suspension, bolted in two 5mm thick plate L angle sections from the rear axle mounts (with longer high tensile bolts of course!) up to the boot floor. The floor has been reinforced with stainless steel plates to spread the load. The L plates have each been drilled with two 10 mm holes ready for a tow hitch extension if I fit one. I have also trimmed the chassis rails to be flush with the vertical upright of the L plates.

I would imagine further mods would be needed, but at the moment I'm still pondering easy access to the rear wheel in the event of a puncture.... the tow hitch would either have to be a single arm design, or have a section which unbolts to gain access to the wheel, or again have a kind of cantilever design running from the chassis up to the boot floor line and then down again to the correct height behind the wheel. I bolt everything to together first, ensure it fits and then get the assembly welded.

Lots to think about.

[Claus]

Hello Emzedder,

something like this ?



Regards

Claus

[Jack602]

There are details of a Lomax tow bar on the German three wheeler website https://threewheeler.de.tl/Anh.ae.ngerk ... x-k2-.htmb

Jack
Pembleton SuperSport

[Claus]

Thats my other homepage

[cmwbob]

Hi Emzedder,
Wow you brought back memories with your reference to the Bond.
I had one of those wheelie beasts which as you can imagine was exceptional as it was running the 998cc climax performance version of the imp engine. Being rear engine, rear drive, power slides were a doddle.

Bob

[Emzedder]

Thanks for the replies
QFAD, I appreciate your input regarding preparaty mods & I'll be making use of the suggestions in due course.
Thanks for the photo Claus, I did see your 'rig' in the caravan thread but was hoping for maybe some pics of the 'underside' where the towing frame attatches to the chassis. The link to your (Claus's) website works but it's all in German so impossible to navigate for my poor old Yorkshire brain
Sadly Frank's link does not work either so I'm not sure if it's my aincient iPad or the link ?
I was quite hopeful when I saw that reply as it looked like just what I was looking for, maybe Claus can provide a link to the relevant section which does work ?
As for my reminicing about the Bond, Bob, your 998 sounds like the conversion I was contemplating with the "bunch of bananas' & twin Strombergs
I was always impressed with the handling of the Bond, with the radial tyres the curious front end which was a mixture of motorcycle steering head & hub centre steering, it would allegedly out corner a Mini & out accelerate an E type Jag
The former I can attest to but never had the opportunity to try the latter as the E type owners of my day moved in very different circles from our humble environs.
So to return to the main topic, if anyone can provide photos, drawings or descriptions of possible routes to creating & attaching a towbar to a 223 I would be most appreciative.
Again grateful thanks for the swift response, I'm sure we'll all get to know each other at some point in the 'unlocked' future Ciao4now
Steve

[Jack602]

Here is the photo of Claus' Lomax tow bar, taken from his German language Three Wheeler website, for those unable to access the site.

Jack
Pembleton SuperSport

[Emzedder]

Thanks Jack, that's perfect, just what I needed
It gives a good idea of the scale & proportions which I'm sure will be of great benefit to everyone.
We must give a huge thanks to Claus for his expertise & engineering skills, which has made this possible.
Since my last post here I've had communication from Claus who has very kindly provided me with technical drawings with the relevant specs & dimensions, he has also informed me that the towbar has TUV approval for 250kg, which gives additional peace of mind.
So between the two of you I think you've given me all I need for the time being.
I'll be sure to repay the pair of you "in kind" one day when we're all allowed out to play again.
Meanwhile, hope your all finding something to occupy yourselves with as we await the 'starters flag' on what will hopefully be a super summer of outings

Ciao4now
Steve

[QFAD]

Hi guys,

Good discussion, and as usual load of really useful info comes to light.

I'm impressed Claus has achieved TUV approval for his design and a safe towing weight of 250kg (braked).

However I'm intrigued as to how the tow hitch shown attaches to the chassis, noting the 223 single arm curves inwards from its pivot point outside of the chassis rail?

Obviously Claus's design has over come this issue, so please can I request additional pictures showing the design in place - I'm asking on the forum rather than directly to Claus or Steve so the info is then available to all.

All the best,

Steve