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Quote: Originally posted by Tentz on 20/4/2013

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Nonetheless, you are wrong on all of them...

But if you noticed that they looked far neater than the flange type, you were indeed right on that.

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(1) The height of the towball is the same whether it's a flange type or detachable. They are all designed and manufactured to the specific required height to make the caravan level when hitched up.

(2)  A detachable doesn't actually protrude out further than that of a flange type but it doesn't have the towbar flange which makes it look further away but and this to allow the movement of the stabiliser hitch if you have one fitted. If a flange type towball is fitted then a proper Alko towball has to be fitted which is longer and also has more clearance under the ball once again to allow for the stabiliser movement.

(3) No, the towball is exactly the same size in both cases which is 50mm. diameter.

Just because the vehicle has reversing sensors doesn't mean that you can't have a fixed towball fitted as it's not the towball itself that iterferes with the rear parking sensors but the 12 volt twin sockets or a single 13 pin socket. So all you have to do is tell the fitter that you need the socket/s underneath the bumper and not fitted directly attached behind the towball and all will be fine. I have had 3 cars with reversing sensors and like yourself I was under the impression that I needed a detachable which on my last two cars which also have reversing sensors have both had a fixed Alko towball fitted with no problems.

Quote: Originally posted by tango55 on 20/4/2013

  A detachable doesn't actually protrude out further than that of a flange type but it doesn't have the towbar flange which makes it look further away

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Post last edited on 20/04/2013 19:15:21

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Quote: Originally posted by freeatlast on 21/4/2013

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Why are you bothered about turning off the parking sensors when towing? They only work when in reverse gear.

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Quote: Originally posted by freeatlast on 21/4/2013

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With modern cars it pays to have the dedicated wiring loom.

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