Thread: bent drawbar

I had a towbar (off vehicle) straightened after the repairer checked with Hayman Reese for the correct process.
No heat was used - cold process to preserve the strength.
No extra add-ons afterwards.

I guess it depends on how bad the bend is. It it possible to cut out the bent bit and sleeve the gap with a larger dimension piece?

Originally Posted by Single-phase

I had a towbar (off vehicle) straightened after the repairer checked with Hayman Reese for the correct process.
No heat was used - cold process to preserve the strength.
No extra add-ons afterwards.

I guess it depends on how bad the bend is. It it possible to cut out the bent bit and sleeve the gap with a larger dimension piece?

yeah its actually the bar of the trailer not the tow bar on the actuall car
but yeah i think ill try cold bending it first im thinkn of putting the bend up against a real sturdy pole something thats concreted in or something and getting my chain block and try pulling it out its a 1 ton chain block so im hoping it gets the job done
cheers for the reply mate

HI kwappa,
I fixed the Bent Drawbar on My Nephews Boat Trailer last Year. The Method I used was to Fabricate into a 'T' Shape a Piece of 3/4" Solid Round Bar onto a Piece of Pipe to Match the Spigot on My 16 Ton Pipe Bender (Solid Square Bar could be used as well). From Memory the Drawbar Dimensions were 75mm deep x 50mm Wide. The Pipe Bender with the Fabricated Tool was simply put onto the Drawbar and the Drawbar Straightened out beautifully. If You use this Method and You use Round Bar for the Tool. Make sure that You put a piece of Flat Bar (8mm at least) between the Tool and the Drawbar otherwise the Drawbar will Kink in that spot where the Tool Contacts the Drawbar.
After Straightening the Drawbar I welded two Pieces of 75mm x 6mm Flatbar x 150mm on either side of the Bend. It took us about an Hour to do the Job.

Originally Posted by steran50

HI kwappa,
I fixed the Bent Drawbar on My Nephews Boat Trailer last Year. The Method I used was to Fabricate into a 'T' Shape a Piece of 3/4" Solid Round Bar onto a Piece of Pipe to Match the Spigot on My 16 Ton Pipe Bender (Solid Square Bar could be used as well). From Memory the Drawbar Dimensions were 75mm deep x 50mm Wide. The Pipe Bender with the Fabricated Tool was simply put onto the Drawbar and the Drawbar Straightened out beautifully. If You use this Method and You use Round Bar for the Tool. Make sure that You put a piece of Flat Bar (8mm at least) between the Tool and the Drawbar otherwise the Drawbar will Kink in that spot where the Tool Contacts the Drawbar.
After Straightening the Drawbar I welded two Pieces of 75mm x 6mm Flatbar x 150mm on either side of the Bend. It took us about an Hour to do the Job.

yeah sounds good mate wish i had a pipe bender
do you think a 1 ton chain block will do the job ?

How big is the Bend?

Is there something opposite the Bend to push off?

I dont think a Chain block of 1 tonne would be sufficent without heat.

If you have something opposite that you can push off you might be better trying a hydraulic bottle jack,there not that expensive and hydraulics will give you more control.

Otherwise take the time and remove the damaged section and replace with new.

How did it get bent?

Originally Posted by pipeclay

How big is the Bend?

Is there something opposite the Bend to push off?

I dont think a Chain block of 1 tonne would be sufficent without heat.

If you have something opposite that you can push off you might be better trying a hydraulic bottle jack,there not that expensive and hydraulics will give you more control.

Otherwise take the time and remove the damaged section and replace with new.

How did it get bent?

not sure how it got bent mate got it second hand but didnt want it to bend any more whilst towing like braking and over speed humps etc
i did however go get a 12 ton pipe bender ( a long time overdue ) so it was a good excuse to go get one
it done the job very well and now i just need to wait for the weather to get a bit better to get my welding stuff out and brace her up a bit
should be fine then
thanx for all the replies guys helped heaps

HI kwappa,
I side with Pipeclay in that I don't believe that a 1 Ton Block and Tackle would be able to do it with sufficient Heat. Its Good to hear that You have got it Straight now. The Pipe bender does a good Job doesn't it ?. Another way that it could have been done is to put the Trailer on its side and wrap Chain around the Drawbar and place a Hydraulic Jack between the Chain and Drawbar and just Jack the Bend out.

Originally Posted by steran50

HI kwappa,
I side with Pipeclay in that I don't believe that a 1 Ton Block and Tackle would be able to do it with sufficient Heat. Its Good to hear that You have got it Straight now. The Pipe bender does a good Job doesn't it ?. Another way that it could have been done is to put the Trailer on its side and wrap Chain around the Drawbar and place a Hydraulic Jack between the Chain and Drawbar and just Jack the Bend out.

yeah i was thinkn about that but couldnt take the boat off cos i didnt wana snap off the transducer and bilge pick up
but anyway yeah as i said it was a good excuse to buy the bender ive always wanted
thanks heaps for the replies guys helped alot
cheers

just to let you know guys tested out the trailer today and it was tops after i straightened her out and braced it up didnt move a mm
very happy cheers guys