The Complete History of Towbars: Brands That Shaped the Towing Industry

The History of Towbars and the Pioneers Who Shaped the Industry

Towbars have become an essential component for millions of vehicles around the world, enabling safe towing of trailers, caravans, and equipment. But how did this crucial automotive accessory come to be, and who were the manufacturers that shaped its development?

When you connect a caravan, trailer, or bike rack to your car, you’re tapping into a story rooted in creativity and craftsmanship. From humble beginnings in a 1930s German forge to the sleek, vehicle-specific systems of today, here’s the fascinating evolution of towbars through the eyes of six legendary manufacturers: Bosal, Brink, Oris, GDW, Westfalia, and Steinhof.

The Spark That Started It All: Franz Knöbel, 1932

Long before towbars became vehicle-specific accessories, they existed as crude hook or eye couplings. That changed when German engineer Franz Knöbel—from the Knöbel family’s Westfalia-Werke—designed a ball-head trailer hitch in 1932, officially patenting it two years later, on March 14, 1934  inspired (reportedly) by a chicken-bone socket beneath a farm table, Knöbel’s ball-and-socket design transformed towing overnight—universal, versatile, and rock-solid. That moment marks the birth of the modern towbar .

1. Westfalia – From Forge to Global Fame

• 1844: Johann B. Knöbel opens a forge in Rheda-Wiedenbrück en.
• 1922: Franz registers the company as Westfalia.
• 1932: Franz invents and patents the breakthrough ball hitch; Westfalia proudly claims the title “Original Towbar Inventor Since 1932” 
• 1966: Launches Western Europe’s first detachable towbar.
• 1987: Introduces the fully automatic A40V coupling.
• 2002: Debuts factory-built electric retractable system.
• 2016–2023: Joins Horizon Global and the First Brands Group, continuing its legacy

With over 1 million towbars produced annually and more than 1,700 vehicle-specific fittings, Westfalia’s story is one of engineer-driven innovation.

Brink – Forged by Passion

• 1903: Reint Brink establishes a blacksmith’s shop in Assen, Netherlands .
• 1960s: Expands to trailer production, then towbars under “RBS”—later renamed Brink .
• Introduces advanced retractable systems (MX/MXe) across Europe.
• 2006: Acquires French firm SFEA (Atlux), joining the Thule Group.
• 2014: Returns to private ownership, expanding operations including in South Africa .

From humble beginnings to global influence, Brink has shaped towing innovation for over a century.

Bosal – A Century of Dutch Design

• 1923: Karel Bos founds B + Al in Alkmaar (Bos + Alkmaar) 
• Evolves from exhaust systems to accessories like towbars and bike carriers.
• 1965: Launches aftermarket towbar production in South Africa .
• 1985: Debuts the world’s first detachable towbar
• 2025: Celebrates its 100-year milestone, earning a “Royal” royal designation in the Netherlands .

Bosal blends enduring Dutch design with global presence—especially in South Africa.

Oris (ACPS Automotive) – Engineering Elegance

• 1955: Otto Riehle launches ORIS in Stuttgart .
• By the 1970s, introduces the first horizontally removable towbars .
• 1999–2000: Jörg Riehle takes over; ORIS debuts the world’s first swivelling towbar .
• 2009: Unveils the first fully electric swivelling towbar .
• 2023–2025: Integrated into ACPS Automotive, accumulating over 140 patents and earning €440 million in revenue .

Oris epitomizes tech-meets-style in modern towing solutions.

GDW – Belgian Precision Since 1952

• 1952: Germain Deconinck establishes GDW in Waregem (“Germain Deconinck Waregem”) 
• Specializes in sturdy, precisely engineered towbars for diverse European vehicles

Steinhof – Polish to the Core

• 1960: Stanisław Steinhof begins crafting towbars in his home in Tarnów 
• 1981: Opens a larger production facility.
• 1993: Leadership transitions to Marek Steinhof.
• 2000: Earns ISO 9000 certification; debuts at Frankfurt Motor Show .
• 2014–2015: Scales up finishing and painting lines.
• Today: One of Europe’s largest towbar manufacturers—1,400+ references, 1,000+ employees .

The Towbar Legacy: From Forge to Function

What started as a chicken-bone-inspired idea in the 1930s has grown into an industry defined by innovation—from detachable and electric models to vehicle-specific designs.

Every hitch you attach carries a story—of engineers like Franz Knöbel, of blacksmiths turned industrialists, and of global brands shaping how we tow forever.