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Subject Topic: S Max Tow bar help needed Post Reply Post New Topic
Personjoy_family
23/4/2014 at 11:38am
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Hi

I have a 2007 Ford S Max and am looking to get a tow bar fitted - for a cycle carrier or trailer. However am very confused as to what type I need - I know I want detachable but should it be swan neck or flange?

The Towsure website seems reasonable (compared to other quotes i've got):

S Max detachable

But not sure if that is okay or not.

Any advice from other S Max owners, or those with more knowledge than me would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!


Personmichell8
23/4/2014 at 12:48pm
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It depends what cycle carrier you want & whether you want to carry cycles & tow at same time although if you do that you will have to be careful of overall weight on towbar, bikes & trailer & not exceed car towbar max weight which I think for your car is a generous 90kg. Also you will need to ensure bikes clear trailer when turning corners.

If you want to tow & carry bikes at same time then you will have to fit flange towbar with permanently mounted fitting for cycle carrier. You can get detachable flange type but I don't know if you can for your car, otherwise you will have to fit fixed flange towbar.

If you are only going to be carrying bikes or towing but not both at once then you can fit the detachable swan neck linked to & use a towball mounted bike carrier which are better because they hold bike wheels rather than having bikes hanging which they will be when using bike carrier of type that needs to be used while towing at same time.


Personjoy_family
23/4/2014 at 1:28pm
 Location: West Sussex
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Thanks for all the info. I won't be needing to tow and cycle carry at the same time so a swan neck one will be fine - have been quoted £380 for a detachable one fitted.

Towbar mounted cycle carriers are another minefield of choices. I found this one:

Thule 923

Which is a lot of money, whereas this one:

Thule Hang on

Is a lot cheaper - but I think this is the hanging type you were referring to? It also doesn't appear to have anywhere for lights & plate?

Do you know if there is a cheaper alternative to the Thule 923 - which carries 3 bikes in a similar way and is, ideally, tiltable so I can still get in the boot?

Thanks SO much for the help - really appreciated!


Personmichell8
23/4/2014 at 2:13pm
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Yes the hang on type require a lightboard & numberplate tied on back of bikes to be legal so you need to add that to cost. If you want towball mounted type then the 'ride on' type with fitted lights & numberplate holder are far superior & bikes come on/of quicker.

If you google search 'towbar mounted cycle carriers' & also search ebay you will find cheaper types. this one is more reasonably priced.

They often come up on ebay secondhand as well if you keep a regular watch.


Personjoy_family
23/4/2014 at 2:27pm
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Thanks. Will take a look.

This one looks like another option - as it could be used for extra storage space with the bag when not taking the bikes camping:

Easybase

Thanks


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Personmichell8
23/4/2014 at 2:40pm
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That price is for basic unit, youtube vid here. You need to add cost of bike fitting kit.


Personjoy_family
23/4/2014 at 2:54pm
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Good point - thanks!


PersonMPG68
23/4/2014 at 3:13pm
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I have a witter fixed towbar with the witter cycle rack bracket fitted.

 

The main reason i have this one is a carryover from the Jeep i had before which had enough nose weight for the van and a couple of bikes on the back. The Smax with only 90KGs cant have both the van and bikes on but the carrier is in the garage if required.

 

Mike



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Mike


PersonPendragoncs
18/9/2014 at 8:25pm
 Location: From Wales living in Northamptonshire
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Getting to the point that we may need to consider a trailer for our smax....got a quote from a local company and they came in at £329 fitted...

This was for a Tow Trust detachable towbar with 13 pin universal electrics. The car is 60 plate and is now out of warranty.

So my question to the people in the know.....

Is that a good deal? Are Tow Trust tow bars any good....and would having Universal Electrics be a big no no?

Thanks

Post last edited on 18/09/2014 20:53:22

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PersonLudovine
18/9/2014 at 8:41pm
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13amp? I'm guess they mean 13pin, this is single socket designed to replace older type twin 7pin sockets required it you are towing caravan with fridge & battery charging while towing. If you are only towing a trailer you do not need the extra caravan wiring, a single 7pin socket will do the job & will be cheaper.

If by 'universal' they mean bypass relay rather than plugin car specific wiring then most would say that on a newish car the specific wiring is to be preferred although more expensive.

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PersonPendragoncs
18/9/2014 at 8:54pm
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Yes sorry 13 pin....updated.

The did quote me for Specific and it did jump a bit...£479

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PersonSteveW
19/9/2014 at 1:50pm
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It will depend on whether you want to tow and carry bikes at the same time. When I'm towing I put them on the roof with Thule carriers, if not I use a towbar mounted rack

I've got a detachable towbar and a Buzz Rack buffalo 2 bike rack for my S Max. They are available from the roof box company(can't get the link to work)
Very sturdy rack and very easy to use and fit.
Steve


PersonPendragoncs
19/9/2014 at 9:30pm
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Thanks Steve....

If needed bikes will go on the roof as we have roof racks already.

Jason

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PersonSTUPOT69
19/9/2014 at 10:27pm
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Hi

 

 I have the Smax... 2008... I have the Max Rax...This fits on A plate at the Side of the Tow Bar allowing you to Tow as well as carry Bikes.. I use It with the Trailer.. But Not too sure about Using it When Towing The Caravan... Would be touch and Go if I exceed the Nose weight... So I  use Thule Cycle Carriers On the Roof..

The Max Rax Is a Briliant piece Of Kit..

 

Stu



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