Hook on pickup truck and in the AZAR4

How to choose a hook for pickup?

Choosing the right hook for pickup – as in the other types of cars – depends mainly on the model and brand of the vehicle, as well as your expectations about the functions of the hook. In the case of the most popular pick-ups in Poland we can choose between two types of tow bars:

• – With a vertical or horizontal release system – convenient to use, fit and remove. In many premium models the ball mounting is additionally secured by a knob with a key.

• – With a system of twist-off ball – more economical and safer version, but also problematic to install.

The differences between these hooks are more in terms of their construction and lashing system. However, nowadays they do not differ significantly in terms of towing capacity or ball pressure. The standard towing capacity of pickup truck hooks fluctuates between 2700 and 3000 kg. Hook types that are capable of towing trailers weighing more than 3 tonnes are much less common. If you use a hook for your pickup for private purposes, you don’t have to worry about it, and the most important things to think about are comfort of use and price.

Here are some useful tips you need to know before you decide to fit a towbar to your pickup:

1. Generally, it is best to have a company that specialises in fitting towbars .Whenever a towbar is fitted, the maximum allowable towed trailer load and ball pressure apply. These values must be strictly observed.

2. Fitting a hitch to a pickup truck may require not only removing the bumper and lamps, but sometimes also cutting the bumper – so it’s worth choosing versions (if available of course) that require minimal interference.

3. Always make sure that there is a nameplate with an approval certificate on the hook to the pickup.

4. The installation of a hook bar must be verified at a Vehicle Inspection Station and an indication of the correctness of the installation must be made in the vehicle registration certificate at the Motor Vehicle Department of the relevant office.

Is it possible to mount a hook towbar on the AZAR4?

There’s no denying that the AZAR4 is an unusual type of camper. And it is this atypicality that makes it easy not only to mount the hook, but also to choose the one suitable for the particular pick-up model. This is facilitated above all by the high suspension of the camper and its easy mounting and dismounting on the pick-up truck’s back. These two features mean that it can also be used freely on pickups equipped with a hook.

Hooks with adjustable height are also available on the market. This is still a relative rarity, but if it is possible, it is worth thinking about it. It makes it possible to mount the hook lower and to attach the trailer in such a way that the camper does not catch on the drawbar of the trailer. In this case, using the hook and AZAR4 at the same time will be absolutely no problem.

Do you have any questions? Write to us and our team of specialists will answer your questions.