The impossible is possible. 996 towbar finished.
Discussion
Well it is done, actually has been done quite a while but I've been to busy to actually post.
As can be seen it fits all the design parameters perfectly, drops down underneath bumper, totally invisible when the ball is not fitted, requires no modifications to the exhaust/body/bumper.
I won't pretend it was easy, there were some teething issues, at the end of the day Mr Porsche never really planned anyone to fit a towbar, however it has come out really well, it uses all factory holes, keeps a brace bar in place across the rear legs just as original, providing an equal or higher level of strength in accident and torsional rigidity than the original brace/crash bar, the towball is totally removable, and a simple 10 second job to fit or remove, and it tows well (sorry I mean carries my cycle rack well).
One negative in my mind being a picky bugger is that the towing eye is now redundant, However obviously there is the towbar to use instead. I am just a perfectionist. Maybe the next one we'll try to incorporate it.
Took about a day to make the basic frame up, with another day fettling to get it perfect.
Pics.
As can be seen it fits all the design parameters perfectly, drops down underneath bumper, totally invisible when the ball is not fitted, requires no modifications to the exhaust/body/bumper.
I won't pretend it was easy, there were some teething issues, at the end of the day Mr Porsche never really planned anyone to fit a towbar, however it has come out really well, it uses all factory holes, keeps a brace bar in place across the rear legs just as original, providing an equal or higher level of strength in accident and torsional rigidity than the original brace/crash bar, the towball is totally removable, and a simple 10 second job to fit or remove, and it tows well (sorry I mean carries my cycle rack well).
One negative in my mind being a picky bugger is that the towing eye is now redundant, However obviously there is the towbar to use instead. I am just a perfectionist. Maybe the next one we'll try to incorporate it.
Took about a day to make the basic frame up, with another day fettling to get it perfect.
Pics.
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
Can we have a photo of the underneath please to see how it was done? Ta 
No you can't! 
I am afraid father is one of the dark side that tows the damned things. However as you can probably tell by his list of cars used for towing at least they do get a move on. Still doesn't excuse the fact though.
Never mind the wave runner it will be seeing my race car on trailer!
Fair enough..will look just dandy with a race car in tow.....
But no portable fibre glass tents please!!
I am afraid father is one of the dark side that tows the damned things. However as you can probably tell by his list of cars used for towing at least they do get a move on. Still doesn't excuse the fact though.
Never mind the wave runner it will be seeing my race car on trailer!
But no portable fibre glass tents please!!
wildoliver said:
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
Can we have a photo of the underneath please to see how it was done? Ta
No you can't! I am afraid father is one of the dark side that tows the damned things. However as you can probably tell by his list of cars used for towing at least they do get a move on. Still doesn't excuse the fact though.
Never mind the wave runner it will be seeing my race car on trailer!
Yeah you could always get towbars for the wet cars, I had a towbar on my 924, was always tricky on the aircooled though, although they are available for impact bumper cars. The killer with 911's are there are so many variants, this towbar would fit on any 996 and probably 997 chassis but might not clear the bumpers or exhausts on some of those cars, meaning a redesign, i think this is probably the main reason no-one makes one for them. However from the point of view of a handmade towbar it makes little difference.
Just interested in the engineering. Don't worry, there's no way on this planet i'll be copying your design! 
Don't fit it to the motor please. Just think about the torsional and longitudinal forces acting on the engine and gearbox mounts. Before you even start considering long term stress effects on the engine block. A chap on here recently had a block break up just because a mount had broken on him a few months ago and it had stressed an oil pipe in the block.
However a 964 wouldn't be too hard to make a towbar for, it would be easier if you had the cup pipe fitted as this would give more room. It would be tight to say the least to fit one with the standard back box.
However a 964 wouldn't be too hard to make a towbar for, it would be easier if you had the cup pipe fitted as this would give more room. It would be tight to say the least to fit one with the standard back box.
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