Disconnect alarms for tow bar arms

Right on mowermech! I would bet that more than 50% of tow bar disconnect incidents are operator error. Maybe on a Blue Ox the operator missed the hole for the pin. Maybe the latching pin was not closed. Locking pins eliminate that problem but if there is a fire and you have to disconnect quickly that becomes a problem. Once I insert my latch pins I grab the tow bar and give it a hard wiggle on each side. When I am all hooked up and ready to go I check every wiring connection and put my hand on all connect parts of the tow bar and give it a shake. If stopped at a shopping center I check the pins before we leave. If the toad is connected overnight we check the lights and all tow bar connections in the morning. Never take anything for granted.

Moisheh

mowermech wrote:
Yes, it can be done, and would likely be quite easy to design and build.
But, think about it for a minute.
Out of all the tow bars that are on the road all summer long (and year 'round, for that matter), how many disconnect incidents have you heard of? How many people have you heard of that inspected their rig before driving off and found that mischief had been done (pins removed, hair pins stolen, etc.)?
Given the apparent low rate of incidents, how long do you think it would take to sell enough to make the initial investment (invention, patent, manufacturing cost, etc.) back?
It behooves each of us to keep reminding people (yes, even ourselves!) to inspect their tow at every stop, before driving off. EVERY time!

I think that is the point. It is rare. I do inspect at every stop and now I will do a little tug and hands on along with the normal visual. I am probably providing a solution for which there is no problem. Thanks for humor I got me. Having the base plate installed on my new Smart Car It is my secon Smart. Towed the first for eight years and from time to time the Grand Cherokee.

mowermech wrote:
Yes, it can be done, and would likely be quite easy to design and build.
But, think about it for a minute.
Out of all the tow bars that are on the road all summer long (and year 'round, for that matter), how many disconnect incidents have you heard of? How many people have you heard of that inspected their rig before driving off and found that mischief had been done (pins removed, hair pins stolen, etc.)?
Given the apparent low rate of incidents, how long do you think it would take to sell enough to make the initial investment (invention, patent, manufacturing cost, etc.) back?
It behooves each of us to keep reminding people (yes, even ourselves!) to inspect their tow at every stop, before driving off. EVERY time!

Very well put.

Yes, it can be done, and would likely be quite easy to design and build.
But, think about it for a minute.
Out of all the tow bars that are on the road all summer long (and year 'round, for that matter), how many disconnect incidents have you heard of? How many people have you heard of that inspected their rig before driving off and found that mischief had been done (pins removed, hair pins stolen, etc.)?
Given the apparent low rate of incidents, how long do you think it would take to sell enough to make the initial investment (invention, patent, manufacturing cost, etc.) back?
It behooves each of us to keep reminding people (yes, even ourselves!) to inspect their tow at every stop, before driving off. EVERY time!

After it disconnects, it would be too late.

I have not seen them but I can't imagine this would be a hard thing to setup. Simply a disconnect alarm.

Since tow bars are metal on metal, you would think it would be easy to come up with a low voltage continuity (or lack of) alarm.