Thinking of a tow bar

[LloydB]

I’m considering adding a tow bar to my MG4 77kwh, mainly to tow the occasional small trailer for carrying timber and other items that might not fit in the boot. I doubt I would be towing for extended trips. I’m aware the car has a towing capacity of just 500kg.
Has anyone got any advice on the impact of having the tow bar itself on efficiency and range? I’m currently getting pretty good efficiency, including on longer trips on the highway and country roads (I’m in Australia and need to make trips for work of over 300km every month or two), but I don’t want to compromise that too much.
Thanks in advance.

 

[ReintjeWA]

Have you had a look here?

Thread 'Tow bar'

Oct 15, 2022

I note that MG says that the MG4 can tow up to 500kg, so I assume that there is a connector to the wiring loom for the trailer electrics. Does anyone know what towbars are available?

• Mike01Hu
• mg4
• Replies: 188
• Forum: MG4 Upgrades & Accessories

I think it's a hide away setup so doubt the towbar itself has much impact, maybe a bit of added weight.

 

[PVperson]

Hi Lloyd,

It actually fits quite well with some research that I'm doing, about a Etrailer, e.g. a powered one. you will notice a marked decrease in range, due to extra rolling resistance and drag. I'd be interested to know how much (in %, and effect on normally acheive miles/kWh) that you encouter towing the trailer, you can esimate it's weight, or put each wheel on a set of scales (if it's up to 250kg) and don't forget the jockey wheel or hitch (whilst level), then add the 3. This will also tell you the hitch loading, which'll help keep the car level.
The advantage of an Etrailer is it powers and brakes itself, so basically follows the car, without impacting range and handling.

Kind Regards,

Nigel Tegg BEng.

 

[Macadoodle]

.
Has anyone got any advice on the impact of having the tow bar itself on efficiency and range?

Been pondering this too, really missing having a tow bar. The Witter detachable ball one I spotted on ebay has a weight of 30kg apparently.

It necessitates permanently removing the car's behind bumper transverse crash beam and you only need to fit the heavy ball when actually towing of course.

Guessing you'll only be 20 Kilos worse off, doubt that'll make a noticeable difference.

 

[PVperson]

It weighs 30kg? What's the trailer loading limit? (towed weight, nose weight) Having removed the front bumper (a few times!) and replaced the front crash beam, I can say thats easy once the bumper's off, front on an MG5 is 4x 18mm hex bolts each side. If you're talking about fitting a towbar yourself, I guess you own a socket set.

 

[wattmatters]

Adding a tow bar per se does not impact economy, at least not in a noticeable manner.

Earlier this year I added a tow bar (drove to Sydney to have it fitted) and a few weeks later we moved home and I did a stack of towing our 6x4 trailer.

Below you can see the effect of doing towing itself but since then our economy has reverted to the same as it was at the same time of year last year.