Troy, thanks for jumping in on this...to my benefit....better late than never. The explanation for deciding on a shorter length than some is helpful to me at this point....I am about to make alterations from stock EMPI VW Beetle tow bar but haven't started yet. You bar appears to have round tubing welded to either side of the cross brace tubing and 2 small circular pieces welded to the driver's side of the bar. I do see what appears to be a cable as opposed to chains. Could you explain the functions of these additions please?...Thank you again!...Mike