Every tow bar and supplemental brake gets a score from 0 to 100% built from five factors, which maps onto the 5-point rating shown on the site (a 0% score would be 1.5 stars; a perfect score, 5). Each factor is scored against fixed reference points, not against the other products in the list, so adding a new model never moves another model’s rating. Tow bars and brakes are grouped and scored on separate scales where they differ.
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Price | price of the tow bar or brake system | 25% |
| Capacity or braking | towing capacity for tow bars, proportional braking for brakes | 20% |
| Weight or install | bar weight for tow bars, portable or installed for brakes | 15% |
| Features | alignment, latches, storage, cables and lights (tow bars) or breakaway and a motorhome monitor (brakes) | 20% |
| Warranty | warranty length | 20% |
Where the numbers come from
Towing capacity, weight, braking type, features and warranty come from the maker’s product page, warranty statement or manual, or the maker’s own copy on a retail listing. Retailer weights that the maker doesn’t publish are not used. Prices are checked at Amazon, the maker’s own store and RV parts retailers, and the lowest price at a store the page links to is used.
The factors
Price is the current price, on a log scale, so halving the price always counts the same. For tow bars, $1,600 scores zero and $600 full marks. For brakes, $2,000 scores zero and $900 full marks.
Capacity or braking is the towed vehicle weight rating for tow bars: 5,000 lb scores zero and 12,000 lb full marks. For brakes it’s proportional braking: a system that brakes in proportion to the motorhome scores full marks, and one that applies a set or progressive force scores zero.
Weight or install is the bar’s weight for tow bars, since a lighter bar is easier to lift on and off: 55 lb scores zero and 30 lb full marks. For brakes it’s the install type: a system that stays installed in the car scores full marks, and a portable unit set up before each trip scores 50%.
Features for tow bars is 25% for self-aligning arms, 30% for non-binding latches that release under load, 20% for storing on the motorhome, 15% for included safety cables and 10% for lights built into the arms. For brakes it’s 50% for an included breakaway system and 50% for an included monitor or alert in the motorhome.
Warranty is the maker’s warranty: a limited lifetime warranty scores full marks. Otherwise, 1 year scores zero and 10 years full marks.
What isn’t scored
Receiver size, ball or receiver coupling, material, a brake built into the bar, which motorhome brakes a system works with, brake unit weight, battery charging and release date are listed but not scored.
Missing data
If a figure isn’t published, that factor gets the neutral middle score (50) and the product page marks it as estimated. Features score neutral only when none of them is published; a feature the maker doesn’t mention otherwise counts as absent. The exception is warranty: a maker that doesn’t publish one gets no warranty counted, so that factor scores zero, the same as the shortest warranty on the scale, and is marked estimated.
Ties and discontinued models
Products are ranked by score within each group. Discontinued models stay listed but rank below every current model and can be hidden with the “Hide discontinued” filter.