For short or rare tows of a small car on the smallest budget. Regular RV travelers should buy a self-aligning bar.
Amazon $140.04The CURT 19750 Universal Tow Bar is the better tow bar overall, rated 3.6 to 3.3. The CURT 19750 Universal Tow Bar leads on price and weight or install. The Roadmaster StowMaster 501 wins on features and capacity or braking. The CURT 19750 Universal Tow Bar costs $819.96 less ($140.04 vs $960).
For owners who want the bar to stay on the car and already have a crossbar baseplate. Others get more for the money elsewhere.
Amazon $960Prices were last checked November 3, 2026 and are subject to change; the price and availability shown by the retailer at the time of purchase apply.
Which should you buy?
- Choose the CURT 19750 Universal Tow Bar for price ($140.04 vs $960) and weight or install (31 lb vs 38 lb).
- Choose the Roadmaster StowMaster 501 for features (self-aligning arms vs none of the listed features) and capacity or braking (6,000 lb towing capacity vs 5,000 lb towing capacity).
Scores side by side
Each factor is scored 0-100 against the same fixed reference points for every tow bar tow bar; a clear win is highlighted. How we rank explains each one.
| Factor weight | CURT 19750 Universal Tow Bar | Roadmaster StowMaster 501 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.6/5 | 3.3/5 |
| Price 25% | 100 $140.04 | 52 $960 |
| Capacity or braking 20% | 0 5,000 lb towing capacity | 14 6,000 lb towing capacity |
| Weight or install 15% | 96 31 lb | 68 38 lb |
| Features 20% | 0 none of the listed features | 25 self-aligning arms |
| Warranty 20% | 100 limited lifetime warranty | 100 limited lifetime warranty |
Specifications
| CURT 19750 Universal Tow Bar | Roadmaster StowMaster 501 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tow bar | ||
| Type | Tow bar | Tow bar |
| Towing capacity | 5,000 lb | 6,000 lb |
| Hitch | 2 in ball coupler | 2 in ball coupler |
| Self-aligning arms | No | Yes |
| Non-binding latches | - | No |
| Stores on motorhome | - | No |
| Safety cables included | - | No |
| Lights in arms | - | No |
| Brake included | No | No |
| Build | ||
| Weight | 31 lb | 38 lb |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime | Limited lifetime |
