Harbor Freight Adjustable Tow Bar Install - Towing my EF Civic B20B Track Car
Вставка
- Опубліковано 5 сер 2017
- I finally got a chance to utilize the tow bar mounts that came with my 88 CRX Si. They work perfect and I can now use this to pick up and EF shells, or if I just need to move a vehicle across town. I got the tow bar for only $56, paid $40 for the 2 safety chains, and $22 for the extra support beam. My total spent was $118 which after using this 2 times is already making my money back from having to rent a tow dolly or call a tow truck. Money well spent!!
I'm using my 1994 Toyota Pickup 2wd with the 4 cylinder 22RE engine to pull any 88-91 Civics/CRXs.
Help Support my channel, purchase decals here - garagebuilthondas.bigcartel.com
Send me stuff here!
Jon Widmer
PO Box 13594
El Paso, TX 79913
/ jon_widmer
Thanks for watching. - Авто та транспорт
Safety chains need to be crossed when towing in case that tongue pops off it won't hit the ground
+Robby Valdez Thanks for that!!
Garage Built Hondas 👍🏽
I kept meaning to google how the chains are installed but have never remembered and that makes 100% perfect sense!
Garage Built Hondas Yes sir😉
I got them on a car I bought (my yellow crx). Someone found a set online. If I can find it I'll link it.
Thanks a lot Body. I have one for 10 years now and never use it. Did not know how. Thanks to you I think I can use it the right way.
Really appreciate it.
Thank you Sir. I appreciate your time. This tow bar really opens up a lot of idea.
You're welcome
Gotta get me a setup like this soon. Seems simple enough and not so expensive . Cool vid. thanks
It's already made me my money back using it only 3 times. Definitely a great investment!
Nice taste in cars! I have the same cars. I'm planning to tow my buddies ef hatch and that's how I found your video. Thanks for the info.now i know it can be done.
Thanks! 👍
G'day mate... nice! I'm beginning to see your like me lol...got 'em...but only because you built 'em...respect. Cool tool for towing , I agree on xtra supports... giddyup son!, one love
Really good tutorial, thanks.
This was really informative. I flat tow my maxima SE.
👍
Thanks for the video I was curious about that exact brand super ups on the video
William Fullman Thanks buddy!
Thank you buddy.... it really HELPS....
You're welcome
so one recommendation is get a class rated tow hitch installed to truck that bumpers probably only rated for just over a thousand pounds if I remember correctly CRX weigh significantly more it might not break right off but you'll start seeing bending and flexing in your bumper other than that great video keep it up
Nice video. Just got this tow bar. Get yourself a drop hitch to get the bar a little closer to level.
👍
Great instructional video 👍👍
Thank you
Sweet video nice truck now I'm shopping for one of those trucks as a toy
It was a good truck, never had an issue.
hell yeah Jon awesome Video no more struggling without ac lol keep up the good work
You know this heat man!
Garage Built Hondas Hell yeah struggle is Life
Thank you.... It really helps
👍
nice harbor freight tow bar towing chains ok
Thanks man I really appreciate your video
Hope it helps
good video. Nice mini truck
Thanks!
Thank you for sharing
👍
Nice kicks!!
Lmao!
dope truck dude
Thanks Legacy!
Cool video thanks bud.
👍
if u left the plates off and loosened the nuts that adjust the bar u can leave them loose when u back up to it so it can pivot the hitch and attach it to the ball. then just pull forwad to get the car aligned then tighten nuts down
Thanks for the tip, I like that idea. It got easier since the first install. I think just getting the hang of it, but when I re-attached the car to get it home, it was so quick lining it up that time so I think I got the hang of it now!
Good 👍 video brother thanks 🙏
👍
Sick video bro.... Now i now how to get a car to my spot with my pick up... Got same one as you...
Perfect! I just finished using the tow bar again last week on a 140 mile trip back home. I've used it 4 times now and it has made it's money back after the first use considering how much it would have been for those 4 tows.
i need to get one of these
+No Limit Racing 👍👌
I like that you have a bumper hitch. That's what I have and I was curious if it would work
👍
Bet your favorite part of this is not being at 4k rpms the whole way to the track! Plus the AC, you're set man. Less stress on the civic and just in case anything happens ( knock on wood) you'll have a way home. Can't wait to get out there again!
You remember very well, and you hit it right on the head. Plus the exhaust noise is enough to make my ears ring!
Sweet deal brother. The price wasnt bad for what you're going to use it for. I bet its gonna make goin to ASR a breeze now. Very efficient part for your puposes.
Anthony, it worked so well last Saturday!! I loved it! Track videos up next!
Helllllll yeah man. Been waiting for some more of those! Always enjoy your track vids. They always inspire me to get off my ass and work towards my goals. Maybe one day i can work my way onto a track near me. I did have a question about having the tow hitch on. Were there any worries about any rocks being kicked up onto your radiator without your front clip on? I was thinking maybe some type of skid/cover plate made out of sheet metal or something just to throw on there during tow
Good job thanks
👍😁
Yo that tacoma is BADASS.
+Rass Buddaye thanks man!
Garage Built Yotas
I like it!
Thanks!!
thank you for the video... I've been trying to figure out how to use my HF tow bar since I got it. The manual references buying another part (the mounting bracket) that they do not sell. So I'm guessing if you don't have a bracket the tow bar is a waste of money.
Search around online. They make brackets for many vehicles. You could also find a welder/fabricator and ask them to build some for you.
2:26 "Perfect where I drilled them" Well I guess not, since you had to grind down the backing plate to get it to fit. I expected trouble when you didn't try to put the new hole in line with the existing two. Measure twice, cut once--and if it's too much to measure twice, at least measure once! Still the best video I've seen of the HF tow bar, if only because it shows the actual hardware of the mounting knuckle.
Lol, worked out just fine. A little grinding never hurt.
Get a Blue Ox tow bar. Light and extremely fast to hook the car up. I towed my 2005 honda civic over 15k miles behind my rv. Great set up.
👍
Blue Ox $$$$$
Ahh I see how it was done now. I've been wanting to adapt a tow bar to my car as well in case I need to use my Toyota as a back up tow truck, but I was thinking of making a bracket system bolt into where the OEM bumper support bolts in, would be a hell of a lot easier than getting down and taking out all those bolts for the subframe mounted brackets. Just some food for thought as a potential change to your setup later on.
+90ED6LSV seriously! I had thought about making some brackets but never got to it,then got these on the crx. I definitely wouldn't mind something less arduous for future use. Honestly when I used it last week at the track it was only tiresome because at the end of the day I was best from the racing & sun! If I had a cordless impact I'd be set. I need to buy one, just haven't done so.
Yup I know exactly what you mean lol. We recently did some major revisions to our car trailer, which included ditching our 80lb each steel ramps for hinged reinforced aluminum ramps. At the end of a track day it was such a pain in the ass to haul out/in these ramps to load the car up. The little quality of life improvements make a big difference haha
No kidding buddy!! We'll see how this goes. I might just use this as a backup and drive to the track. If I need, I'll hitch a ride home and bring the truck out and tow the sum'bitch home! haha
First "Smart" move to make with these is to bin off every supplied nut & replace them all with nyloc locknuts. It cost next to nothing and eliminates half the problems people run into. :-) The factory nuts WILL vibrate loose when towing.
Keep up to great work on the videos
Thank you!
That's a clean ass little tacoma...👌👌👌👌
Thanks!
Excellent video! I guess it is not possible to tow (using this towbar) without removing the vehicle's front bumper? The Harbor Freight device is almost an order of magnitude cheaper than the Roadmaster towbar (~$ 900+ with taxes!). It is no joke however to drill through 3/8th in thick steel!
Doesn't seem like it. Unless you fab up some sort of mount coming through the grill? Seems more difficulty though and it's very easy to remove the bumper.
Been having for awhile. Haven't used yet
👍
Nice video.
Thanks
I love your videos! I watch regularly. And often see find myself sent to another one of your older videos when I’m looking at things to buy lol.
Is there any necessary steering lock for the towed vehicle?
That may be a stupid question. I imagine it doesn’t need anything just curious I’m new to towing.
Thanks, I appreciate the support!!
The key is left in the ignition with the steering wheel left to spin freely.
Garage Built Hondas and it will follow the tow vehicle? I can’t help but imagine the front wheels cutting one way and and locking.
@@ShiftersAndLifters It follows the tow vehicle
Nice
Ah man you need a tow hitch bar in the rear of the Toyota
Where you have it hook up is gonna go flying.
I have that same one...it's paid for it self already not needing anyone else to tow a car home
Seriously, I just made half of the money back using it one day. When I used to tow my civic to the track renting the dolly was $60. I like the fact that I can tow random shells home now and even help my friends with their EF's.
yeah man that's what I use mine for the best part about it is that you don't need anyone else to help cuz there's alot of times you don't always have help
great video, Thank you for sharing
You're welcome!
nice harbor freight tow bar towing ok ef civic track car race racing
Chingon thanks
This is awesome video Sir. I really want to do this. I dig your modified A frame idea. How was your truck handling when you came to a stop. Does it stress your truck frame?
I had zero issues. It worked well for as long as I owned the truck.
I wish you would show them rims on your truck they look great
Check them out! ua-cam.com/video/Ugxl7QIeHyo/v-deo.html
Hey. You have a Toyota pickup too! Haha. I'm going to get one of these for my Toyota so I can tow my Volkswagen.
Nice!
I wish i could find a older tacoma 2rz or 3rz thats not rusty and beat up, i def need one i think it would fit my lifestyle better!
Are the older vehicles rusty in FL also?
Awesome and i was wonder ing if my same yota only mine is a 89 w/22re can pull my crx. Good stuff as always.
Easily!!
@@GarageBuiltHondas sweet im golden then im like down the street from willow springs.
Car not street legal?
@@GarageBuiltHondas its cali bro lol nothing is street legal she has been put down for potential race duty. Ill still drive it to the track
While you can't afford the front wheel they install in trailers, to lift the front up place a wood stick that lift it enough while you're backing up to hook your trailer.
Your not supposed to back up with a tow you could break stuff
@@JUST1N888 What do you mean? If you have to back up just be careful, go easy, and have someone to spot you or get out of your vehicle, see the area and progressively back up, repeat. Repeat means "as you back up a little, get out of the vehicle, check the area for obstacles, back up more, check the area out of the vehicle until you achieve getting into the spot or area you desire". Do you understand?
@@rodolfoplasencia4953 when backing up you are using the tow bar as leverage against the tow bar bracketts and they will brake . also you are not supposed lock the wheel . Be careful cause if stuff like this breaks it can kill people !!!
you should've used a drop hitch
❤❤ cool...
Thank you for your tip. Over the weekend I went and bought one at harbor freight I believe it was $79 and put it on and it goes great and I have an 88 Ford festiva and it's got the flat bumper in the front and I didn't even have to take the facade off it was able to bolt on and I'm really happy with it I've already yesterday drove it around and looks fine so instead of spending like $1,500 on the I one from camping world. I can take my little car anywhere. It a stick
Take care thank you.🔧👍🧛
👍
What is the proper distance for mounting bracket with out the vehicle swaying left to rite
I wanted to do this but I have some massive hills between me and the track(2hrs drive). 1300kg unbraked could be deadly. Oh well!
How big is the vehicle that's towing that weight?
Wow! Didn't read your bumper tow rating did ya?
But a blue ox tow bar, each side bar has a release that allows the bars to be lengthened. Release, hook to tow vehicle, back up to latch arms..... Alot less monkeying around..... But you get what you pay for
This particular kind of truck is setup to be able to pull this car and weight. U-haul confirmed if for me 7 years ago when I first rented a tow dolly to pull one of these cars 500 miles. They actually won't let you rent a tow dolly without confirmation of both vehicles.
This bar has worked perfect for the 88-91 Civic/crx chassis and is only want I'm using it for. It has been used about 10 times since this video has been released and no issues. I'm good.
A couple if questions, would mounting the HF tow bar to where the bumper brackets goes possible? I can fab up a small adaptor if needed, the second question is, do you strap down the steering wheel or just leave it loose? I plan tow a small car from Dallas TX to southern CA with one of these
Absolutely, I don't see why not. As long as you build something that is secure it should work fine.
The steering wheel is left loose with the key in the ignition so it turns freely as the towing vehicle does.
When you did this I’m guessing your Honda a manual did you put it in Neutral or did you put it in 1st gear ? I need to do the same but hear many different things
It's a manual transmission. You leave it in neutral when towing. Max speed is 55mph safely.
You might want to leave the engine idling during your tow. Otherwise your transaxle output shaft bearings/bushings wouldn't get lubrication.
How would that help?
@@pyromaniac354 It'll keep your output shaft bearings from premature wear. My auto tech school instructor mentioned this very scenario in a lecture. I bought a 40' school bus last October and towed my car behind on my 950 mile return trip home. I left the car engine idling almost all the way. I'd say for at least 800 miles. It cost me $10 in gas for the car. Until I need to tow a lot, this is probably the way I'll deal with the issue. I'm considering adding-on an electric circulation pump and tapping into the transaxle's lubrication circuit if I end-up towing a fair amount. I don't know if such a pump is available on the market, but I would find a way to do it myself (DIM).
@@KellyBtech not necessary on a manual transmission.
@@jaydak99 Good point, but I fell out of love with them in my 20's. I don't like replacing clutches, master and slave cylinders as well as the constant clutching in rush-hour traffic. If I were in the old country (northern MN) I wouldn't mind as much, but I commute through Seattle for a total of 86 miles/day. Sometimes traffic crawls all the way home.
Where do I get the brackets that go to the frame the tow bar bracket s
I bougt the tow bar and used. It for a trip of 1500 miles. Pulled great was going. 70mph
Love to hear it!
Did you have to buy extra brackets? If so, from where?
You'll need a way to mount it to you vehicle you're towing somehow. My brackets were specific to my car.
@@GarageBuiltHondas I have a 96 Camaro - stick shift - what do you think?
What do you mean, what do I think about what?
You think this would probably pull a 1977 dodge d100 single cab ?
I'm a complete noob when it comes to towing. You think I could do this to tow my dc2 with my 2018 2.4l n/a CRV fwd?
Yes. Although I don't believe the CRV has a towing weight of more than 1k lbs. You'll need to check. I've seen plenty of people do it, but it may not be recommended by Honda or you may out excessively wear on your transmission.
hi. where did u get the support bracket that connects to the tow bar. I have know where on my camera to mount my tow bar. thanks
Mine came with my car. Google towing brackets and the model of your car. You may have some hits doing that.
How does the vehicle being towed "steer"? I can't imagine it would be very easily to turn on its own
It turns like nothing. Very easy to use.
Silly question but does the steering wheel of the towed vehicle move freely or do someone need to steer it while turning
+Pedro Carvajal You'll put the key in the ignition to leave it free. The wheels will naturally turn as it's pulled around corners.
when u tow a car is the towed car front wheel will keep straight wtout someone inside the car. thanks
No. The keys are in the ignition so the tires turn naturally.
I was wondering what it’s like to toe with one of these like what is a good speed you can tow I’m thinking about bringing a car from California to Florida with this?
You can only travel 55-60 tops. If you're towing vehicle can pull a trailer, you're better off. This will extend your trip dramatically.
Sweet set up 90s car pulled by 90s truck lol jdm as fuk as the kids say
lol!
The front wheels stay locked from swinging to the sides on neutral?
No. The key is in the ignition so they turn as the towing vehicle turns.
I don't know that Harbor Freight sell something like this, I have seen it with Etrailer though. My question is that is this installation for just one vehicle or it can be changed to other vehicles if so needed.
It can work on all vehicles. You just need to make or buy specific mounts for your vehicle.
I hope you didn't damage the transmission.
Still works to this day, and driven hard at the track.
Do you disconnect the CV's from the transmission or anything? How does it handle turns, or do you unlock the steering column?
+Muffin Racing Nothing is disconnected at all. Car just needs to be in neutral and the key in the ignition so the wheels may turn with the vehicle towing it.
Garage Built Hondas what about the driveshaft?
+SantaOMG The car is left in neutral. It's a FWD car I'm pulling. Not sure on an AWD, you may have to disconnect the driveshaft.
Manual or automatic 2wd or 4wd neutral is neutral. Turn on key to put the vehicle in neutral leave in the on position to keep the steering column unlocked. If you are going far and worried about draining the battery unhook the negative cable but add magnetic tow lights that connect to the trucks wire harness.
I should specify that 4wd usually needs to have the transfer case also put in neutral and you also need a vehicle that has a trans pump yo keep it lubricated.
I don't have the tow bar brackets, as shown in that video,, do I have to have them brackets in order to tow a vehicle?
You'll need a way to mount it to your car securely.
hello, excellent video. what distance is left between the cars?
Maybe 4 feet.
I think a drop hitch would work better for alignment.
Possibly. I've had no issues up until now. I've used it maybe 15 times to tow vehicles, the longest being a 440 trip back home.
Where can I find that bracket?
I have the towing bar mechanism I just need the brackets to tow a sedan.
And you don’t need a driver to steer the the towing car right?
Not sure. Mine came on a car I bought.
No.
One thing you didn't mention ,
Before you start towing ,
Obviously you put it on neutral ,
But what about the key ignition?
do you half way turn the key , just to activate the power steering ?
or you just leave it alone don't turn the ignition at all , just the car on neutral will be enough ?
The key needs to be at position 1 where the steering wheel is unlocked and the car left in neutral.
Garage Built Hondas
Thank you .. 👍
Hi not sure if you still respond to old videos but I'm trying to tow my dodge dart behind my rv but am having a hard time figuring out how to get it installed
Which part?
Do you have to remove trans pin or would it be ok as long as you keep it under 50? About 110 mi. Trip
Trans pin?
Stupid question but you're supposed to put the car in neutral right and do you unlock your steeringwheel or leave it locked
No stupid questions at all. 👍. Neutral and unlocked.
Thanx for the info. I just bought the same bar through Amazon and planning on installing soon. Got a question - the instructions specifically warn NOT to weld the brackets onto the towed vehicle - only bolt. 8 had planned on doing both. Any thoughts on why they don't want them welded?
Thx again.
Maybe just not welded only is what they meant, maybe welds just aren't strong enough over time and would potentially crack.
@@GarageBuiltHondas thx!! Good luck
Sounds like a generic manufacturers warning since all cars have different bumper bracket steel thicknesses. Some are pretty thin and welding directly to it would be tricky unless you have commercial level welding experience. If the brackets were thick steel, I wouldn't hesitate to weld even with my limited experience.
Does the wagon require the same tow brackets? Have you ever installed a hitch on a wagon?
Yes, and no.
Say I wanna tow any kind of vehicle could I just use a D ring instead of adapting a tow bar for the car
I don't necessarily think it'd be safe unless it specifically says that it can be used for that kind of application.
a little off topic, but do you have a preference for the b20b in this or the b16a1 in your si? I'm trying to decide between the two. It would be a DD if that matters. thanks For all the great vids!
The b20 has torque for days. Hitting vtec is a lot of fun though. I think my b20 would win in a race, even with the LS transmission. But as a daily? I think both are fun, the b16 just costs a lot more comparatively. You could easily get 2 b20's for the price of a b16a. If I had to choose for a daily, I'd pick the b20 and use the extra cash for parts like a nice header.
Garage Built Hondas thanks!
Nice tow bar setup. Just wondering does the civics steering wheel turn while being towed?
Yes, you leave the key in the ignition so it doesn't lock. They turn naturally with the truck as you turn.
Garage Built Hondas Ahh thanks I was wondering about that.👍🏻
Looking to do this for my miata to flat tow from FL to GA (it’s stick) you think it’ll be okay? Car is lighter than most. Could I go 60-70 in it?
Yes.
No. Is unsafe at that speed.
This might sound like a dumb question but how do you tow a vehicle with the steering column locked, or do you have to unlock it... seems like it wouldn't make turns very well
You leave it unlocked and the wheels turn naturally following the tow vehicle.
@@GarageBuiltHondas yeah I was basically asking how to leave it unlocked with the vehicle off, so it doesn't drain the battery. I figured it out though from another vehicle, how to put the key in the ignition and turn it just enough to release the column lock but not enough to switch on the electrical system. Never paid attention to that before, thought there were only 2 positions on the ignition, ON and START.
Well, now you know. 👍
How fast can you drive with a tow bar. Can you take it to 60mph freeway speed if I tow a Honda sedan or Toyota sedan??
60 tops. And yes.
a question to tow the car do you have to put it in neutral or how do you move it?
Neutral with the keys in the ignition leaving the wheel unlocked.
Would it be better if you turn the vehicle on and leave it in neutra when toming long distances?
It has to be in neutral, and not necessary to have it on.
I’m curious how the car turns? Do you have to put a seatbelt through the steering wheel so it doesn’t move?
You leave the keys in so the steering wheel naturally turns with the towing vehicles.
Is there anywhere to buy the tow bar mounts that bolt to the subframe like yours? I have a 1989 Toyota Supra. Thanks!
Google it. There are companies that make them. I don't know how specific it will be though.
get a hitch for the truck for the tongue can be level
👍