DE19726788A1 - Tow bar for road vehicles - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a tow bar for road vehicles with fastening points arranged at both ends for detachable fastening on the one hand to a towing vehicle and on the other hand on a towed vehicle.

Such tow bars are available in different designs known. Compared to a tow rope, they have the advantage that they form a relatively rigid connection in the direction of travel, so that when braking the towing vehicle, the towed vehicle can't drive up. This relieves the handlebars of the towed Vehicle. Nevertheless, he has to pay close attention to this follow the towing vehicle, especially changes of direction run precisely and without collision.

It is known that many drivers of motor vehicles are afraid of one have such a towing ride especially if their vehicle has a power steering system that is lacking during a towing process own drive usually no longer works. Especially in cases where individuals share such with each other Carry out towing, but also when towing which the towing motor vehicle, for example, by  Roadside assistance or automobile club employees there are always accidents and additional accidents Vehicle damage.

DE-8 32 713 is a combined tow bar and Drawbar for trucks and trailers known, in which two the legs forming the drawbar are hinged together and be fixed relative to each other in the position of use. This drawbar-like drawbar is for towing Cars not provided. The junction of the Both legs of this drawbar correspond to the attachment the only place intended for connection to the towing vehicle is. Thus, not only this must be in the area of the towing vehicle Attachment point, but also the mutual connection of the pivoted leg housed and mastered constructively will.

From DE-OS 23 60 489 a device for towing a possibly also known driverless vehicle, in which also two tow bars symmetrical from a common connection element run at an angle to two fastening points, where on the connecting element also the attachment point for the towing vehicle is to be provided, which in turn is appropriate elaborate construction especially of this joint with the Attachment point required. The vehicle to be towed must be one stable bumper and have a distance between yourself and this, since the device is to be attached to it.

A comparable arrangement is known from US Pat. No. 5,516,140. Two elaborate coupling pieces are symmetrical rods arranged relative to one another and pivotable relative to one another connected to one another when not in use can be spread on the towing vehicle, so that they then one Form an angle of 180 ° with each other. This construction also does a multi-part connection on the one hand of the individual fastening  place in the joint area of the two rods and on the other hand also of the two rods themselves.

These solutions with a total of three attachment points require that on the towing vehicle arranged at the center of the trailer hitch tion is provided while on the vehicle to be towed a towing eye on both sides of the center with the same distance or hitch for attacking the attachment points the towing devices are available. However, since this is in the Practice is usually not the case and most currently road vehicles in use, especially modern ones Passenger cars, usually one outside of the Center towing eye on the rear of the vehicle and / or on the Show vehicle front and none for the attack of towing bumpers have suitable bumpers, these are known Towing devices when towing cars by other cars not useable.

Therefore, passenger cars are still using either a rope that is difficult to manage for both parties or a single tow bar of the type mentioned towed, which makes it necessary that also be towed in the vehicle is present in the vehicle, who is also the driver Must have the ability to handle such a towing trip. In cases where the handlebars are towed Vehicle is not capable of such a journey trust, the towing must either be omitted or it must be second auxiliary person or the person to be towed Vehicle must be loaded onto an appropriate breakdown vehicle.

The invention is therefore based on the object of a device to create the type mentioned with which a vehicle too can be towed without a vehicle driver, the device constructive and easy to use and should anywhere along the side of the center of the rear of the vehicle  or vehicle front of both towing and towing should be able to attack the vehicle. Doing with these "any position" is the one often specified by the manufacturer Towing eye on the one hand and, if necessary, a suitable place the chassis on the other hand meant.

The solution to this problem is essentially that the tow bar at a distance from its attachment points Additional rod is pivotally attached by means of a joint that at its free end facing away from the joint also one Attachment point for detachable attachment to one of the vehicles Has.

In this way there is a tow bar as a device for towing, which has a total of three attachment points, so that towing a vehicle without a handlebar is possible, whereby however, this towing device is designed asymmetrically overall is so that, for example, the individual attachment point without problems on one that is not in the middle of one of the vehicles Towing eyes can be attached. Even the attachment of the Additional rod is independent of the attachment of the actual tow bar as it is in an appropriate position can be pivoted so that it is constructive and easy to operate forth can be designed easily, especially since the articulation or Joint between the towing bar and the additional bar is independent of an attachment point and is accordingly simple can be trained.

The invention makes use of the knowledge that such "Three-point" attachment not - as previously assumed - symmetrical must be, but that a stable connection between towing and towed vehicle arises even if the Tow bar and its additional bar asymmetrical to each other are arranged because nevertheless between the towing bar, additional bar and the two attachment points for connecting to the attachment  place the towing vehicle in Use position a stable triangle, which after the Connecting the vehicles to one another by means of the invention Tow bar also remains rigid.

This means that vehicles with any towing eyes can be arranged be connected to each other and above all it is also possible to attack with two attachment points on a towing vehicle and the single or third attachment point on the towed Vehicle, especially on one outside of its center to be attached to the towing eye. This allows Breakdown vehicles or tow trucks, for example from beforehand with two off-center attachment points, e.g. B. towing eyes or hooks on their rear - if necessary in addition to one central attachment point in the form of an eyelet and / or a hook - be equipped so that they have conventional passenger cars with only tow a towing eye located outside the center can without a vehicle driver in the towed vehicle is needed. Because the additional rod is at a distance from the individual Attachment point of the towing bar attacks this, can this distance can be chosen and designed so that a problem-free Attachment to such a towing eye provided as standard can be done because the connection between towing bar and additional rod in the area of this individual fastening point no space needed.

However, the towing bar according to the invention can also are used if the vehicle to be towed two Towing eyes or towbars by the individual Attachment point to be attached to the towing vehicle can. But has the vehicle to be towed only an off-center Towing eye, can be towed by means of the second one Attachment point attacking the vehicle and possibly one Auxiliary sling or the like also an attack on a suitable Place of the landing gear, as has been done in such previously  Cases happen in which the vehicle to be towed does not Has towing eye.

Another advantage of this invention is that the Tow bar also conventional as a straight tow bar can be used. The strength and number of towing eyes are depending on the vehicle. Individual weak towing eyes can be attached with a straight, conventional towing bar will. Vehicles with two towing eyes are cheap the invention comes into play because the towing bar with the Additional rod is put together and arranged so that it is a For example, it forms a triangle that is open to the rear, vehicle to be towed can be closed. This configuration tion can be driven without a person in the towed vehicle.

Vehicles with a towing eye can also be attached to the "triangle" be attached to the invention. But this is now the towing vehicle closed down. The trailing of the towed vehicle in the same track can be adjusted by adjusting the angle of the triangle of the angle between the towing bar and the additional bar to be achieved. Again, you can do this without a handlebar in the towed vehicle be driven.

A particularly useful embodiment of the invention, the Handling and, above all, also the adaptation to under different vehicles and trailer points or trailer conditions relieved, may be that at least the additional rod adjustable in length, especially telescopically extended or shortenable and fixable in such a changed length is. This allows different vehicle dimensions or also wanted different distances between the two vehicles are considered and adjusted to each other. Most of all an arrangement of the attachment points of the additional rod and possible at the corresponding end of the towing bar in such a way that the two vehicles are roughly in the same lane to one another,  when all three attachment points are fixed on them.

A further embodiment of the invention can consist in that the additional rod or at least part of it detachable and replaceable and / or in a position parallel to the towing bar or pivotable and fixable in the extension of the towing bar is. If the additional bar is detachably fastened, the towing bar can especially easy to use as a conventional towing bar will. In addition, however, is the combination of the Tow bar with additional lengths of different lengths possible, to take into account different towing conditions. For example, it may be necessary to use the tow bar and additional rod and a vehicle formed triangle larger and with a more acute angle between the towing bar and the additional bar design when the individual attachment point on the towing vehicle and the other two attachment points on the towed vehicle should attack while, conversely, a closer distance may be desirable between the two vehicles, so that one less acute angle between the two rods may be desired.

Another adaptation to different conditions and vehicles can be that the tow bar itself in length adjustable, in particular is telescopically adjustable. This allows it in combination with a possibly also adjustable in length or interchangeable additional bar almost any "triangles" to form between towing vehicle and towed vehicle and different dimensions of the attachment points on these vehicles to be taken into account in a suitable manner so that even when cornering no collisions can occur, even if in the towed Vehicle is not a driver.

At the attachment points on the one hand the tow bar and on the other hand, the additional rod can in particular be detachable Connection means or couplings can be arranged, by means of which the towing bar and the additional bar on the vehicles can be detached  are attachable. This allows retrofitting in the area of Attachment points so that easy adjustment to under different conditions on the vehicles is possible, for example also attach to the chassis of one of the vehicles at least one of the attachment points is required. A Breakdown vehicle can, for example, with different Couplings equipped for a tow bar according to the invention be able to attach different vehicles as best as possible and being able to tow.

This also allows further training in that one of the Lanyard on the towing bar is detachable and at the Place the additional rod that is releasably attached to the towing bar in turn - in an extension of the towing bar - can be detachably coupled is. The releasability of one of the attachment points Lanyard on the towing bar and detachable attachment the additional bar thereby allow a towing bar to be larger Assemble length if necessary.

The versatility of the tow bar and the different Attachment options between the two vehicles were already mentioned. So it can be the single attachment point of the Tow bar on the towing vehicle and / or the towed vehicle be releasably attachable and accordingly the other two attachment points on the towed Vehicle and / or the towing vehicle can be coupled. This means that practically all vehicles on the market can be used connect with each other for towing, center or off-center towing eyes or towbars and also accordingly stable chassis parts, if necessary under additional use of these auxiliary devices, can be exploited.

Further expedient and advantageous embodiments of the Invention Appropriate tow bar are included in further claims.  

Claim 8 contains for example an arrangement and Ausgestal device in which the towing bar or the additional bar unites Have a U-shaped cross-section and in the folded position the other part at least partially to save space can pick up and reach around. The articulated Connection between towing bar and additional bar at ent speaking design of the joint area that at a Swiveling into a position in which the towing bar and the Include additional rod at an angle of 180 °, one accordingly long single tow bar each with the opposite Fastening points arranged at the ends for a conventional Towing trip is formed. At the same time, however, is one Swivel position possible, with which towing bar and additional bar can form a triangle with a vehicle and when not in use, in which there is an angle between the towing bar and the additional bar is present from 0 °, the entire arrangement can be very space-saving be stored.

Claim 10 contains the design option for towing rod to a kit, in which above all several additions rods, but also possibly several towing rods and thus Composable connecting means or couplings may be included can to meet different requirements when towing Vehicles depending on the vehicle type, weight, expected forces and attachment options can be taken into account. A such kit is mainly for breakdown services or also Towing company suitable.

Claims 11 and 12 contain design options of the Tow bar and the auxiliary bar in a way that the Attachment of the lanyards on the one hand facilitates and on the other hand a high bending stiffness of the individual parts and thus a high stability of the entire towing bar or Towing device result.  

Overall, there is a tow bar that has a variety of Offers customization options so that vehicles are towed in which no vehicle driver is necessary. Most of all, can they are assembled in such a way that they go back and forth to a vehicle forms a triangle with it. But it can also be used as single tow bar can be used if the arrangement as "Triangle" is not possible or one of the towing eyes or the like does not appear strong enough on one of the vehicles, the side forces that occur especially when cornering to be able to transfer.

Below are exemplary embodiments of the invention based on the Drawing described in more detail. It shows in partly schematic Presentation:

Fig. 1 is a view provide a tow bar in a conventional composition in which a tow rod and an auxiliary rod rod each continuing to a tow having situated at both ends of attachment is assembled,

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a towing bar, at which an additional rod goes off at a distance from a fastening point, the individual fastening point on the towing vehicle engaging at the rear, so that the other two fastening points with the vehicle to be towed, not shown Form a triangle,

Fig. 3 is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 2, in which the towing bar engages off-center on the towing vehicle and on the vehicle to be towed, not shown, and the additional rod with its fastening point is at a distance from the individual fastening point and an angle from the towing rod also engages the towing towing vehicle so that the towing bar, the additional bar and the towing vehicle form a triangle,

Fig. 4 is a kit from which a tow bar with additional bar and the fastening points having connection means in different ways can be to sammengesetzt,

Fig. 5 are assembled side view of a tow bar, wherein individual parts of the kit of FIG. 4 with a conventional tow bar with fastening points at both ends thereof,

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a schematic rear of a towing vehicle and a similarly schematic front end of a vehicle to be towed, with a single attachment point at the rear of the towing vehicle having three attachment points or attachment points and the other attachment point of the tow bar and the attachment point on the vehicle to be towed the additional rod, forming a triangle with this vehicle to be towed, attack and the tow rod and additional rod are selected from the kit according to FIG. 1 and are assembled in a suitable length,

Fig. 7 is a representation corresponding to FIG. 6, but in which the "triangle" is formed between the towing vehicle, the towing bar and the additional bar and the individual fastening point on which the vehicle is to be towed, with a shorter towing bar and a longer one 4 are selected and assembled from the parts of the kit according to FIG. 4,

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a modified embodiment of a tow bar with hinged acting on it auxiliary rod, the articulation point is designed so that the two parts is exceeded in that area or surround,

Fig. 9 is a side view of the towing bar according to Fig. 8 and

Fig. 10 is an end view showing that the towing rod is designed as a square tube and the additional rod as a U-profile and are dimensioned such that in the folded position the additional rod takes up or engages around the towing rod.

Obtained in the following description of the exemplary embodiments Parts with the same function have the same reference numbers, even if they are designed or dimensioned differently.

To one in FIGS. 2 and 3 on the one hand and in FIGS. 6 and 7 on the other hand in each case with the whole designated 1 tow device for road vehicles 2 and 3 , usually passenger cars, especially a tow bar 4 with at both ends arranged attachment points 5 and 6 , with which this towing bar 4 can be releasably attached on the one hand to a towing vehicle 2 and on the other hand to a vehicle 3 to be towed. Here, to illustrate the already mentioned Figures 2 and 3 as well as 6 and 7 that where the two vehicles directly joined in the use position tow rod 2 and 3 4 at a distance from the fastening points -. And thereby at a shorter distance to a single attachment point 5 - a supplementary rod 7 is pivotally fastened by means of a joint 8 , which at its free end facing away from the joint 8 also has a fastening point 9 for releasable fastening to one of the vehicles 2 or 3 . It should be mentioned at this point that the fastening means at these fastening points 5 , 6 and 9 can, if necessary and if necessary, be designed differently in that they can have hooks and / or eyelets or plug pins or the like. The principle is important that the additional rod 7 is pivotally attached to a towing bar 4 , so that it forms a triangle together with the vehicle attacking it, which according to. Fig. 2 and 3 on the one hand or Fig. 6 and 7 on the other hand can also be designed differently, this z. B. depends on whether the individual attachment point 5 attacks the towing vehicle 2 or the towed vehicle 3 and accordingly the two further attachment points 6 and 9 on the towed vehicle 3 ( FIG. 6) or the towing vehicle 2 ( FIG. 7) be attached.

It is also indicated in the drawings that the additional rod 7 is adjustable in length, telescopically extendable or shortenable in the exemplary embodiment and can be fixed in the length set in each case, an outer telescopic tube 7 a engaging in it engaging telescopic rod 7 b and these two Parts can be adjusted relative to each other and can be fixed by means of cross bolts.

The joint 8 can be designed so that the additional rod 7 releasably and interchangeably engages the towing rod 4 , so that additional rods 7 of different lengths can be used. In addition, the towing bar 4 can also be used in this way in a conventional form without an additional bar.

For example, Fig. 7 the tow bar 4 itself adjustable in length, in particular be telescopically adjustable.

At the attachment points 5 , 6 and 9 - releasable in the exemplary embodiment - connecting means or couplings can be arranged, which according to FIGS. 1 to 3 as hooks 10 according to FIGS. 4 and 5 but also, if necessary, on one side also as plug pins 11 for interacting with one corresponding eyelet can be designed. There are thus various possibilities for releasably attaching the towing bar 4 with the additional bar 7 to the vehicles 2 and 3 .

Since the connecting means can be detachably fastened at the connecting points 5 and 6 of the towing rod 4 , the additional rod 7 can optionally also be releasably coupled in the extension of the towing rod 4 at the location of one of these connecting means, as indicated in FIG. 1, wherein an intermediate tube 12 is provided for mutual attachment. This makes it possible to assemble the towing bar 4 with the additional bar 7 to form a relatively long conventional towing bar, if this is necessary in individual emergencies due to the eyes or hooks on the vehicles 2 and 3 .

In any case, 2 and 3 with reference to FIG. One hand and the Figs. 6 and 7 on the other hand, evident that the individual attachment point 5 of the tow bar 4 to the towing vehicle 2 (FIG. 2 and FIG. 6) or the towed vehicle 3 ( 3 and 7) Fig. releasably attachable and accordingly, the other two mounting points 6 and 9 on the towed vehicle 3 (Fig. 2 and 6) or the towing vehicle 2 (FIG. 3 and 7) can be coupled. In each of these cases, there is a stable triangle between the towing bar 4 , the additional bar 7 and the respective vehicle 2 or 3 , which makes it possible to tow the vehicle 3 to be towed even without a person operating the steering wheel, since due to this connection it tows the towing person Vehicle 2 can also follow tracks substantially in the event of changes in direction.

The individual drawings illustrate that the loading points 5 , 6 and 9 are each oriented to each other as the corresponding attachment points on vehicles 2 and 3 require, although vehicles 2 and 3 are still arranged in a row when driving straight ahead, even if the trailer frames are located outside the center.

In order to be able to carry out this adaptation to different vehicle types and dimensions without problems, that is, to be able to adapt the towing rod to the respective individual case in the best possible way, a kit of individual parts can be provided according to FIG. 4, which enables corresponding individual mutual attachments. FIG. 4 shows, for example, a fastening point 5 to be connected with a push-through bolt, as it can engage in the center of the towing vehicle 2 in FIG. 2. In addition, individual parts of an additional bar 7 are each shown in three views, while underneath a towing bar 4 can be seen in three views each, which is used, for example, in the arrangement according to FIG. 6. In this case, a lateral projection 4 a is provided on the towing rod 4 for the articulated connection with the additional rod 7 . Finally, FIG. 4 also indicates connecting means or couplings in the form of a hook 10 and a push-through bolt 11 , which can be detachably connected to the towing rod 4 and / or the additional rod 7 . A corresponding assembled arrangement is shown in FIG. 5, where the towing bar 4 and a connecting means with a push-through bolt 11 on the one hand and an additional bar 7 with a hook 10 on the other hand are coupled, in this case analogous to FIG. 1 to a conventional, generally straightforward towing bar . Thus, in FIG. 5 illustrates that the kit. 7 not according to FIG only to a "triangle" in accordance also be assembled into a total of conventional straight tow bar Figs. 2 and 3 or 6 and 7, but what the versatility of the Use of this kit or this towing device clarified.

In this way, the towing device 1 is particularly suitable for breakdown assistants who have to tow a wide variety of vehicles.

This works particularly well if the towing breakdown vehicle not only has two off-center attachment points 13 , but also a central attachment point 14 , so that the configurations indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3 and 6 and 7 can be implemented without problems.

To the kit of Fig. 4 and 5 it should be mentioned that the individual parts shown therein may also be respectively provided in different dimensions. For example, several tow rods 4 of different lengths or adjustable, on the one hand, and additional rods 7, on the other hand, belong together as a kit and can be combined with one another. In this case, they can be designed for this mutual combination in their cross-sections corresponding to one another and at their connection points designed as a joint 8 so as to be interchangeable. When comparing FIGS. 6 and 7, it can be seen that different towing rods 4 can be provided in each case and the additional rods 7 can also be designed at least partially, for example with regard to the coupling center, at their fastening points 9 . All of this is made possible by the fact that these connecting means or coupling parts according to FIG. 4 are designed differently and can be releasably connected to the rods 4 and 7 , wherein as connecting means, as already mentioned, hooks 10 , push-through bolts 11 and / or eyelets can be provided, which are provided on bolt-like, fork-shaped or tubular connecting parts 15 for plugging together and releasably connecting or screwing with the actual towing bar 4 and / or the additional bar 7 .

For such a multi-part kit with possibly differently sized towing rods 4 and additional rods 7 , but also for the already mentioned adjustability of the length of the towing rod 4 and / or the additional rod 7 , it is advantageous if they each have a tubular casing, for example the pipe 7 a, at which the connecting means having the fastening points can be detachably inserted or can be attached across the pipe end and if, in addition, extension pieces, e.g. B. rods 7 b are provided for engaging in the pipes or for reaching over the pipes. All of this can expand the versatility of the combination options of the kit to a towing device 1 , so that it can be connected to differently designed vehicles 2 and 3 , either as a single towing bar according to FIG. 1 or 5 or especially for a handlebarless towing of the vehicle to be towed 3 in the form of a "triangle" according to FIGS. 2, 3, 6 or 7.

Since, as a rule, the towing vehicle 2 has the more strongly dimensioned attachment points 14 , it is preferable that the individual attachment point 5 of the towing device 1 is attached to the towing or towing vehicle 2 , as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6. Around this single attachment point 5 in connection with the attachment point 14 , corresponding swiveling movements take place when changes in direction occur, while the paired attachment points 6 and 9 do not permit such a relative movement. Thus, the individual attachment point 5 must transmit appropriate forces, which can be taken into account accordingly on the towing vehicle 2 during its manufacture or retrofitting.

While the above-described kit already practically comprises or means several embodiments of the towing device 1, FIGS . 8 to 10 show a further exemplary embodiment of a towing bar 4 according to the invention with an additional bar 7 . It can be seen that the additional rod 7 has a U-shaped cross section, the towing rod 4 overlaps in the region of its joint 8 with its legs or engaging extensions 16 and, when not in use, can be folded against the towing rod 4, which is designed in particular as a square or square tube, and at least it partially, in accordance with FIG. 10 in the exemplary embodiment, also completely accommodates and encompasses it. It is obvious that this results in a very space-saving storage of the tow bar.

The arrangement could also be reversed, ie the towing rod 4 could have a U-shaped cross-section over at least part of its length, the cross-section of the U-crosspiece being approximately vertical in the position of use and that of the U-leg extending approximately horizontally, as is the case here in the illustrated Ausführungsbei game of FIG. 10 is provided for the additional rod 7 and the auxiliary rod could engage at a distance from the attachment point 5 of the tow bar 4 with its hingedly attachable end in the U-shaped cross-section of the tow bar 4 to be fixed there in an articulated and when not in use in the U cross section between the U legs can be at least partially or completely folded.

Here, in Figs. 8 and 9 and in particular in Fig. Yet indicated 8 by the circle K in that the additional rod 7 enclosing out of their engaging in the tow bar or FIG. 10 inoperative position through approximately 180 ° in a towing bar itself Extending position is pivotable and can be fixed in this position, so that even in this case, an approximately straight towing bar analogous to that shown in FIG. 1 or 5 can be formed if only one attachment point or attachment device 13 or 14 is attacked on the two vehicles should. It is therefore a favorable design of the towing device 1 with a total of three fastening points 5 , 6 and 9 to be able to use it as a conventional towing bar if the arrangement which is advantageous per se should not be possible as a "triangle".

The towing device 1 provides a towing bar 4 which has fastening points 5 and 6 at its two ends for the detachable connection of two road vehicles 2 and 3 , in particular cars. In this case, an auxiliary rod 7 by means of a hinge 8 pivotally attached to the tow bar 4 at a distance from the individual attachment point 5, which also includes a fastening point 9 has at its free end for releasable attachment to one of the vehicles so that a total of a "single-ended" arrangement of the three attachment points 5 , 6 and 9 results in a simpler design on the one hand of the attachment points and on the other hand the connection to the additional rod 7 , thus giving us an overall relatively light and easy-to-use towing rod 4 .

Claims (12)

1. Tow bar ( 4 ) for road vehicles ( 2 , 3 ) with fastening points arranged at both ends ( 5 , 6 ) for releasable fastening on the one hand to a towing vehicle ( 2 ) and on the other hand to a towed vehicle ( 3 ), characterized in that an additional rod ( 7 ) is pivotably attached to the towing rod ( 4 ) at a distance from the fastening points by means of a joint ( 8 ), which also has a fastening point ( 9 ) on its free end facing away from the joint ( 8 ) for releasable fastening to one of the vehicles Has. 2. Tow bar according to claim 1, characterized in that at least the additional rod ( 7 ) is adjustable in length, in particular telescopically extendable or shortenable and fixable. 3. Tow bar according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that that the additional rod, or at least part of it, releasable and interchangeable and / or in a position parallel to the towing rod or in extension of the towing bar and is definable. 4. Tow bar according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the tow bar ( 4 ) itself adjustable in length, in particular is telescopically adjustable. 5. Tow bar according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that in particular releasable connecting means or couplings are arranged at the fastening points by means of which the towing bar ( 4 ) is releasably attachable to the vehicles. 6. Tow bar according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that one of the connecting means on the towing bar ( 4 ) is releasable and in its place the detachable on the towing bar ( 4 ) engaging additional rod ( 7 ) in turn - in extension of the towing rod ( 4 ) - can be detachably coupled. 7. Tow bar according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the individual fastening point ( 5 ) of the towing rod ( 4 ) on the towing vehicle ( 2 ) or the towed vehicle ( 3 ) is releasably attachable and accordingly the two other fastening points ( 6 , 9 ) can be coupled to the towed vehicle ( 3 ) or the towed vehicle ( 2 ). 8. Tow bar according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it has a U-shaped cross-section over at least part of its length, that in the position of use, the cross-section of the U-crossbar is approximately vertical and that of the U-legs is approximately horizontal and that the additional rod engages at a distance from the fastening point ( 5 ) with its articulately attachable end in the U-cross-section, is articulated there and is at least partially foldable between the U-legs when not in use in the U-cross-section, or that the additional rod ( 7 ) has a U-shaped cross-section, the towing bar ( 4 ) in the area of its joint ( 8 ) with its legs or engaging extensions ( 16 ) overlaps and when not in use against the towing bar ( 4 ), which is designed in particular as a square or square tube, and can be folded at least partially absorbs or encompasses itself. 9. Tow bar according to claim 8, characterized in that the additional rod ( 7 ) from its engaging in the towing rod or encompassing rest position is pivotable and fixable by about 180 ° in a position extending the towing rod itself. 10. Tow bar according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that several differently long or adjustable tow bars on the one hand and additional bars ( 7 ) on the other hand can be combined as a kit and in their cross sections corresponding to each other and at their joints ( 8 ) designed to match each other are trained. 11. Tow bar according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the tow bar and / or the additional rod has a tubular casing ( 7 a), on which the connecting means having the fastening points can be detachably inserted or the pipe end can be attached and that preferably extension pieces ( 7 b) are provided for engaging in the pipes or for reaching over the pipes. 12. Tow bar according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that hooks ( 10 ) and / or eyelets are provided as the connecting means, which on plug-like, fork-shaped or tubular connecting parts ( 15 ) for plugging together and releasable connection or for screwing with the actual Chen towing rod ( 4 ) and / or the additional rod ( 7 ) are provided.