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   Caravans and Caravanning -  Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Removable tow bars Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonDrizzy1975
18/8/2015 at 9:42pm
 Location: Newport Pagnell
 Outfit: Swift Rapide 450 GLX View Drizzy1975's Profile View Profile   Reply to Drizzy1975 Reply   Quote Drizzy1975 Quote  
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My new company car has been ordered and what to fit a removable Thule towbar. (Thule as this is the only make they are allowing me to fit as part of the contract)

They have offered me a fixed swan and a removable one. Question is are removable ones safe and easy to check they are secure, etc.

Many thanks


Personbobmel
18/8/2015 at 9:57pm
 Location: Aberdeen
 Outfit: Coachman Pastiche 460 VW Tiguan Moti View bobmel's Profile View Profile   Reply to bobmel Reply   Quote bobmel Quote  
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Would think that if removable tow ball was not safe they would not sell them ! I have a removable swan (not thule) find it easy to put on and take off. It has a red and green marker. When locked it goes from red to green.
Thule

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


Persontango55
18/8/2015 at 9:57pm
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 450 View tango55's Profile View Profile   Reply to tango55 Reply   Quote tango55 Quote  
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I prefer a fixed towball for several reasons. Firstly there are no worries about losing your locking key, no need for towball storage space and although a detachable is safe to use I still feel more confident with a permanent bolt on fixture rather than a locking mechanism whereby internal parts can jam or wear out.


PersonWobbly Box
18/8/2015 at 10:01pm
 Location:  Scotland
 Outfit: Bailey & Mondeo View Wobbly Box's Profile View Profile   Reply to Wobbly Box Reply   Quote Wobbly Box Quote  
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My car came with a removable one and i would never go back to a fixed towbar again.
Like everything else look after it and follow the instructions and it should be pretty much trouble free.

No more sore ankles putting stuff into the boot.

I always remove mine when not in use.

Only down side is you have no bumper protection plate so extra care required when reversing onto the hitch.


PersonDrizzy1975
18/8/2015 at 10:02pm
 Location: Newport Pagnell
 Outfit: Swift Rapide 450 GLX View Drizzy1975's Profile View Profile   Reply to Drizzy1975 Reply   Quote Drizzy1975 Quote  
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Only reason is aesthetics really and for some reason I always knock my shins !! When getting things from the boot.



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Persontango55
18/8/2015 at 10:03pm
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 450 View tango55's Profile View Profile   Reply to tango55 Reply   Quote tango55 Quote  
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You can't fit a bumper plate to a swan neck towball anyway, only a fixed flange bolt on type towball.


PersonWobbly Box
18/8/2015 at 10:05pm
 Location:  Scotland
 Outfit: Bailey & Mondeo View Wobbly Box's Profile View Profile   Reply to Wobbly Box Reply   Quote Wobbly Box Quote  
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i keep my locking key on the keyring with my car keys. So if i don't have the key for the towbar I have something a lot more important to worry about. lol

OP has a company car so very unlikely anything will wear out in the 3 or 4 years he has the car. But long term I suppose you run a risk of wear.


PersonVectratot
19/8/2015 at 8:06am
 Location: DURHAM
 Outfit: Mondeo TItanium 140 Avondale Mayfly 25 View Vectratot's Profile View Profile   Reply to Vectratot Reply   Quote Vectratot Quote  
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A detachable can be bought with a bolt on ball allowing a protector plate, Google Witter and watch their video, I know the OP wants Thu
E.


PersonDandyman Bob
19/8/2015 at 1:50pm
 Location: St ALBANS
 Outfit: Riva(Dandy) Destiny. Peugeot 5008 View Dandyman Bob's Profile View Profile   Reply to Dandyman Bob Reply   Quote Dandyman Bob Quote  
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I had a factory approved detachable tow bar (thule)fitted to our new car because of concerns over the parking sensors detecting it. (However this does not happen). In the past there have been problems with detachable tow bars developing play but I believe the newer models are more robust. I have sprayed the locking mechanism with WD40 and am inclined to leave the bar attached in order to protect the back of the car. It may seem strange but a car probably sells better when it hasn't got a fixed tow bar attached.
Regards Bob


PersonWobbly Box
19/8/2015 at 1:57pm
 Location:  Scotland
 Outfit: Bailey & Mondeo View Wobbly Box's Profile View Profile   Reply to Wobbly Box Reply   Quote Wobbly Box Quote  
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I remove mine every time the reason for this is if someone bumps into it without your knowledge it can cause damage to you the socket that the detatacble swan necks locates into. Or if you are reversing up to a wall where as your bumper will be robust enough to absorb impact without damage.


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PersonMotobiman
20/8/2015 at 6:55am
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I have a Witter detachable flange type with a bike rack fitting and stainless bash plate and always remove it when not towing.

There is no detectable movement when it's fitted so I don't really see it's going to develop wear.

Don't really see the point of a detachable left on the car all the time.

Might as well save money and fit a fixed one ........


PersonWobbly Box
20/8/2015 at 7:57am
 Location:  Scotland
 Outfit: Bailey & Mondeo View Wobbly Box's Profile View Profile   Reply to Wobbly Box Reply   Quote Wobbly Box Quote  
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A detachable flange type tow bar sounds perfect.
is it only witter that do this type. My towbar was already fitted to the car when I bought it, it is a Westfalia.


Personfreeatlast
20/8/2015 at 10:40am
 Location: Teesside
 Outfit:  Mitsubishi ASX4 View freeatlast's Profile View Profile   Reply to freeatlast Reply   Quote freeatlast Quote  
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I've been using detachable towards since the mid 90s. Never a problem. When mine is detached, you can't tell there is a toward fitted. Even the wiring socket folds under the bumper. I never bother locking mine. Its only for security, and I never leave the caravan unattended in car parks.



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