Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums
Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
   Caravans and Caravanning -  Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Tow bar advice
Page:  1  2 Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonAldoscott
via mobile 17/4/2019 at 9:47pm
 Location: Falkirk
 Outfit: 2022 Elddis Avante 840 2022 Audi q7 View Aldoscott's Profile View Profile   Reply to Aldoscott Reply   Quote Aldoscott Quote  
Joined: 20/1/2013

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   153
Site Reviews Total: 19
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Booking direct with westfalia online for my towbar.
Should I get a normal detachable one or a swan neck detachable one?
Why do you need a swan neck?


Personbobmel
17/4/2019 at 10:34pm
 Location: Aberdeen
 Outfit: Coachman Pastiche 460 VW Tiguan Moti View bobmel's Profile View Profile   Reply to bobmel Reply   Quote bobmel Quote  
Joined: 26/8/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1593
Site Reviews Total: 13
Site Reviews 2024: 1  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 7
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
I have had detached in the past and ended up like most people just leaving it on, so this time gone fixed swan neck. Almost £200 difference in cost. As for normal or swan neck could see no difference in the Youtube video of them. I think swan neck looks better   

-------------
Robert (BoB)


PersonPeteWilmot
18/4/2019 at 11:35am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View PeteWilmot's Profile View Profile   Reply to PeteWilmot Reply   Quote PeteWilmot Quote  
Joined: 16/2/2018

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   4
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Difference in towbars -
https://www.pfjones.co.uk/tow-bar-types-explained.html


PersonGrampian91
18/4/2019 at 10:30pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6893
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Unless you have a specific need then go for the cheapest or the one you like the look of.

It its detachable how often will you think about just leaving it fitted? Is it worth the extra cost?

To me its a towbar, does what its supposed to do.

Flange towbars can offer greater flexibility. If the ball wears or gets damaged then its a cheap fix to put a new ball on. Try getting a detachable towball in a hurry.

My car came supplied with a detachable towball, i fitted the ball and it stays on all the time. If it didnt have one already i would have chosen a flanged towbar.


PersonFrancais
20/4/2019 at 2:44pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View Francais's Profile View Profile   Reply to Francais Reply   Quote Francais Quote  
Joined: 29/6/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   12115
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 4
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 14
Site Nights 2018: 0
For some tow ball mounted bike carrier’s, a Swan Neck is preferable as it gives more clearance for tilting and mounting.

I noticed in France, that almost all tow bars are of the Swan Neck type, even on Dutch, German cars etc, but maybe that’s just a Euro thing.


Advertisement



PersonGrampian91
20/4/2019 at 3:42pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6893
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Sometimes the swan neck or detachable towbars are pushed baecause owners are told flanged towbars will cause issues with the parking sensors.

Not known a towbar to interfere though, usually its the elctrical socket, you need to set that inwards slightly on some cars.


PersonDr Zhivago
27/5/2019 at 9:18am
 Location: Monmouthshire
 Outfit: Caravan View Dr Zhivago's Profile View Profile   Reply to Dr Zhivago Reply   Quote Dr Zhivago Quote  
Joined: 12/8/2015

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   30
Site Reviews Total: 4
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 3  
Site Reviews 2018: 1  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 11
Site Nights 2018: 6
Quote: Should I get a normal detachable one or a swan neck detachable one? Why do you need a swan neck?
A detachable is to save bashing your shins on a fixed one when you are putting things in the boot or simply working around the rear of the car. I've had both types and would not have fixed again.

I thought a swan neck was required in some cases as a matter of geometry, to get the thing to reach from the chassis crossmember and around the rear bumper to where the towball is meant to be.



Post last edited on 27/05/2019 09:22:25


PersonDerbian
27/5/2019 at 9:30am
 Location: derbyshire
 Outfit: Seat Exeo Opus Camper View Derbian's Profile View Profile   Reply to Derbian Reply   Quote Derbian Quote  
Joined: 18/2/2016

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   99
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Must be slightly unusual as I have a detachable towball but it’s the flanged variety. Gets left on 90% of the time during the summer but taken off for the winter


PersonColin21
27/5/2019 at 7:03pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail View Colin21's Profile View Profile   Reply to Colin21 Reply   Quote Colin21 Quote  
Joined: 05/11/2013

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6281
Site Reviews Total: 18
Site Reviews 2024: 1  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 2  
Site Reviews 2021: 2  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 2  
Site Reviews 2018: 3  
Site Nights 2024: 7
Site Nights 2023: 8
Site Nights 2022: 12
Site Nights 2021: 18
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 21
Site Nights 2018: 18
I have a fixed, flanged type, as I doubt whether I would bother to remove it if I had a removable one. We don't tend to use our caravan in the cooler months, but there are times during mid-winter when I may need to use my trailer to go to the tip, or to move something else.

Yes, I've bashed my shins on the tow ball, but then does anyone actually remove their detachable tow ball every time they get back home? If they don't they are probably just as likely to bash their shins as I am.



-------------
Best Regards,
Colin


PersonGrampian91
27/5/2019 at 11:51pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6893
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Tried the detachable on mine to make sure it worked and you look at it and think is that really fully locked in?

The arrow points to the green strip, but only just on the very edge.

Before i tow i think its going to get some loctite and a hammer/jack to make sure it's properly attached and never to be removed again. :)


Advertisement



Personspiritburner
28/5/2019 at 12:23am
 Location: NE England
 Outfit: Citroen Dispatch Campervan plus tents View spiritburner's Profile View Profile   Reply to spiritburner Reply   Quote spiritburner Quote  
Joined: 02/8/2004

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1625
Site Reviews Total: 21
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 1  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 2  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 2
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 2
Site Nights 2019: 6
Site Nights 2018: 0
Fixed flange on our van & a previous car & no effect on the parking sensors.   Had removable swan-neck before & it stayed on full time. Was used too often for me to be bothered with the hassle of removing hence getting fixed since then.


Personthechief
28/5/2019 at 2:02pm
 Location: Teesside
 Outfit: Caravan and XC90 View thechief's Profile View Profile   Reply to thechief Reply   Quote thechief Quote  
Joined: 16/4/2005

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   282
Site Reviews Total: 5
Site Reviews 2024: 1  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 1  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 3
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 2
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
We have a detachable tow bar. I do take it off when not being used. It only takes 30 seconds to attach or detach it so I don't see it as a hassle for me.

I used to have a Land Rover Discovery with a detachable bar; on the Land Rover forums, owners used to highlight all the time that their "hooks" had been pinched. They were selling secondhand for a couple of hundred quid so there was a lucrative market in them. That was probably my main initial motivation for taking my detachable off.

TC


PersonBig Roy
via mobile 28/5/2019 at 2:05pm
 Location: Southport
 Outfit: Mondeo Titanium Swift Challenger 580 View Big Roy's Profile View Profile   Reply to Big Roy Reply   Quote Big Roy Quote  
Joined: 03/7/2006

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   638
Site Reviews Total: 4
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
I'm another one with a detachable towball that never comes off, I really don't see the point of them


PersonColin21
28/5/2019 at 2:12pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail View Colin21's Profile View Profile   Reply to Colin21 Reply   Quote Colin21 Quote  
Joined: 05/11/2013

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6281
Site Reviews Total: 18
Site Reviews 2024: 1  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 2  
Site Reviews 2021: 2  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 2  
Site Reviews 2018: 3  
Site Nights 2024: 7
Site Nights 2023: 8
Site Nights 2022: 12
Site Nights 2021: 18
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 21
Site Nights 2018: 18
I can see your point TC, if it's that easy to get off it's easy to steal! I think you are probably in a minority though, as I think most people who buy detachables don't bother removing them.

I take the opposite approach. My towball is a fixed flanged type which cannot be removed without a couple of large spanners or a spanner and socket. If someone really wants it they'll take it anyway, but it's not worth much. Spanners or sockets to fit it would probably cost as much as the tow ball.

-------------
Best Regards,
Colin


Personnavver
28/5/2019 at 7:49pm
 Location: West country
 Outfit: Mondeo View navver's Profile View Profile   Reply to navver Reply   Quote navver Quote  
Joined: 23/8/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4664
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Always had fixed and no problems. I don't think I would feel happy with a removable one. It might fall off.


Persontowedyears
28/5/2019 at 9:02pm
 Location: Cannock Chase Staffordshire
 Outfit: Lunar ultima 564+Volvo XC60D5 AWD View towedyears's Profile View Profile   Reply to towedyears Reply   Quote towedyears Quote  
Joined: 27/4/2019

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   84
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
I always use Brink detachable tow bars and always remove tow hitch in seconds when not towing. I note most caravaners remove tow hitch when not in use and certain models simple fold out of sight. A fixed tow ball is prone to rust and dirt and residue which readily transfers to trousers and shins in addition to any bruises. Detached and stowed in a bag my car looks great to match my legs and trousers.



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next

Jump To Page:  1  2

Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...

7669 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews] 



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement
Advertisement
Roofbox

UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder