With greater demands placed on rear tow bar functionality and overall vehicle integration, ARB sought to develop an entirely new rear step tow bar to address consumer expectations.
Unique to the Summit rear bar is the through-tub-chassis mounting system, where the bar passes directly through the lower section of the vehicle tub and is affixed perpendicular to the chassis rail, offering strength. Matched with 2.5mm press formed steel wing panels, the Summit rear bar can brush off significant side impacts. Should damage be incurred, the wing panels can be individually replaced.
Built around a 60.3mm x 2.6mm tubular steel sub-frame finished in a textured black powder coat, the Summit rear bar heavily utilises press formed steel sheeting to form the rear diffuser section, providing an integrated and OE appearance to the vehicle. A 3.5t class 4, 50mm tow hitch is standard, and accepts receiver-mounted recovery points. Additionally, large safety chain attachment points are situated below the hitch.
To accommodate differences in vehicle equipment and trim specification, two variants of the Summit rear bar have been developed to suit models with and without rear parking sensors. Four Hi-Lift jack points are incorporated right into the design, with two points located on the outer wings and two on each of the rear corner sections.
The spring assisted cover panel conceals provisions for trailer wiring, ARB air compressor, ARB trailer camera wiring and a 50 amp Anderson plug. An anodised aluminium tread plate with non-slip corrugations provides a high traction surface when standing on the rear bar. A moulded bezel supports the licence plate, while a high output Narva LED light is recessed into the top tread plate for additional protection.
The Summit Rear Step Tow Bar was initially launched for the Ford Ranger PX (2011 on). Further vehicle applications will follow.