Ringfeder Towbars & Truck Couplings Melbourne
Custom Ringfeder towbar design, fabrication, installation and VASS certification for heavy commercial trucks.
TTF Industries designs and fabricates custom rear crossmembers and truck towbar assemblies to suit Ringfeder automatic trailer couplings. Our towbar installations are developed for heavy rigid trucks towing dog trailers, road-train dollies and other suitable drawbar trailer combinations.
Based in Epping, Melbourne, TTF offers an integrated service covering 3D CAD design, fabrication, installation and applicable engineering certification. Each installation is developed around the truck chassis, trailer coupling, rear body layout and intended operating requirements.
What Is a Ringfeder Coupling?
Heavy Truck Towbars – 10t, 26t, 34t & 45t Applications
- Tipper trucks towing dog trailers
- Heavy rigid trucks towing drawbar trailers
- Road-train and dolly towing applications
- Construction, bulk-haulage and other commercial truck combinations
Ringfeder Coupling & Towbar Options
Custom Ringfeder Towbars & Rear Crossmembers
Unlike a universal bolt-on accessory, a heavy truck Ringfeder towbar often requires a vehicle-specific mounting arrangement. TTF designs custom steel rear crossmembers and supports to accommodate the selected coupling, chassis dimensions, rear overhang, tow height and available clearances.
Where a truck has a tipper body, tray, beavertail, tail lift or chassis extension, we can coordinate the towbar with the rear-end structure to achieve a practical installation.
Towbar Design, Fabrication & Installation
- 3D CAD modelling of the towbar, mounting structure and coupling position
- Custom rear crossmember, mounting bracket and reinforcement fabrication
- Truck chassis attachment and rear overhang assessment
- Structural calculations or finite element analysis where required
- Provision for appropriate trailer electrical and pneumatic connection mounting
- Coordination with truck bodies, chassis extensions and rear-access requirements
Ringfeder Towing Capacity, D-Value & Compatibility
A Ringfeder coupling is selected using the ratings and application conditions for the exact model, including D-value and, where applicable, Dc, S and V ratings. These values are not interchangeable with a simple trailer-mass rating.
The final allowable towing combination also depends on the truck’s GCM and manufacturer limits, the coupling and drawbar-eye compatibility, the fabricated towbar structure, chassis mounting arrangement and applicable vehicle standards. TTF reviews these factors when developing a suitable installation.
Engineering, ADR Compliance & VASS Certification
TTF provides engineering support for custom Ringfeder towbar installations, including compliance assessment against applicable ADR 62/02 and VSB6 P1 requirements. Depending on the modification, this can include structural calculations, FEA, chassis attachment verification and VASS certification.
Our drive-in, drive-out service can bring design, fabrication, installation and required certification together under one roof.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Ringfeder towbar?
A Ringfeder towbar is a truck towbar or rear crossmember assembly designed to mount a compatible Ringfeder trailer coupling. The complete installation must suit the truck chassis, coupling rating and intended trailer combination.
What trailers commonly use Ringfeder couplings?
Ringfeder automatic pin-type couplings are commonly used on heavy commercial trucks towing dog trailers, road-train dollies and other compatible drawbar trailers.
Is a Ringfeder coupling the same as a pintle hook?
No. A conventional Ringfeder automatic coupling uses a vertical locking pin and guiding funnel, while a pintle hook uses a curved hook and locking latch. Pintle hooks are common on plant and machinery trailers; Ringfeder couplings are common in dog-trailer and road-train applications. The drawbar-eye requirements differ.
Do Ringfeder couplings carry vertical load?
Yes, depending on the coupling model and its rated application. Hinged-drawbar dog trailers generally impose relatively low static vertical coupling loads, but certain Ringfeder couplings can accommodate higher vertical loads within their specified S and V ratings.
What towing capacity can a Ringfeder towbar have?
The permitted towing capacity depends on the specific Ringfeder coupling ratings, the complete towbar and chassis installation, and the truck’s approved towing and GCM limits. The coupling’s D-value is not itself a trailer-mass rating.
Can a Ringfeder towbar be fitted to my existing truck?
Often, yes. TTF can assess the available rear chassis structure, tow height, body clearances and intended trailer arrangement to determine a suitable custom mounting solution.
Can Ringfeder couplings be air operated?
Certain models offer air-assisted opening for easier uncoupling. The opening mechanism is separate from the trailer air-brake system, and its installation must follow the selected coupling manufacturer’s instructions.
Do custom Ringfeder towbars require VASS certification?
Custom heavy-truck Ringfeder towbar installations generally require engineering assessment and VASS certification where applicable under VSB6 P1. TTF can provide a complete drive-in, drive-out service covering design, fabrication, installation and certification.
Related service: Custom Truck Towbars
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0422 095 990