Every vehicle has its own requirements. Body structure, mounting points, permitted loads, electronics, design, aerodynamics and assistance systems all have to be taken into account. A towbar can therefore not be considered separately from the vehicle. It has to fit, be safely integrated and work reliably with the overall vehicle system.

This is exactly where ORIS development work begins. Engineers analyse vehicle platforms, check load specifications and develop solutions tailored to the respective application. This results in systems for towing, bike carriers and different requirements in everyday life, leisure and professional use.

Modern CAx software supports this process from design through to virtual testing. Loads can be simulated, components optimised and functions assessed at an early stage. This creates the technical basis for towbars that are designed to perform convincingly in real-world use.

When using a towbar, most people only see the towbar neck. The actual development work lies deeper. It is found in the structure, the mounting points, the locking mechanism, the operation, the wiring kit and the coordination with the vehicle.

ORIS combines many years of experience from original equipment with the requirements of the Aftermarket. This is not about simply adopting an existing solution. What matters is transferring technical knowledge in a targeted way to different vehicle models, usage profiles and installation requirements.

This is reflected throughout the entire development process. Design, simulation, material selection, prototype construction, vehicle adaptation and testing work together. Every solution must not only function on screen, but also on the real vehicle, in the workshop and later on the road.

For drivers, this means more safety, more comfort and a solution that matches the vehicle. For workshops, it means vehicle-specific products, simple installation and confidence in a technically well-designed retrofit solution.

At ORIS, research and development means more than pure design. It is about the interaction of vehicle understanding, safety, operating comfort, material expertise, mechatronics and practical usability. Modern vehicles in particular require solutions that are technically precise while remaining as simple as possible in everyday use.

This includes looking at new operating concepts, swivelling systems, electric functions and integration behind the bumper. Lightweight design, load-bearing structures and coordination with modern vehicle systems are just as important. Vehicles are becoming more complex, and towbars have to keep pace with this development.

ORIS’ innovative strength is also evident in patented solutions. More than 140 patents stand for development work that repeatedly opens up new possibilities. These include technical milestones such as FIX4BIKE® for safe bike transport and the fully electric retractable retrofit towbar ORIS E3.

For the Aftermarket, this means that ORIS brings technical know-how from vehicle development into practical retrofit solutions. This results in products that combine modern technology, high safety and simple use.

A towbar is a safety-relevant component. That is why development does not end with design. Only testing, load tests and practical trials show whether a solution can withstand the requirements of use.

In prototype construction, designs are tested directly on the vehicle. This includes fit, installation, locking, operation and integration into the vehicle. Durability and load tests then show how the system behaves under repeated use.

These testing processes are an important part of ORIS development work. They help secure functions, improve components and prepare solutions for long and reliable use. This applies to fixed towbars as well as detachable and swivelling systems. In this way, research and development at ORIS becomes the basis for products that are not only technically sophisticated, but also work reliably in everyday use.