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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: New car help Post Reply Post New Topic
Personmangler
09/10/2016 at 8:09pm
 Location: Birmingham
 Outfit: Sterling Europa 390EK View mangler's Profile View Profile   Reply to mangler Reply   Quote mangler Quote  
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Hi There,
        We have just bought a Vauxhall Zafira as our new towing car, after I had a tow bar fitted by a mobile mechanic I thought that it looked close to the rear bumper of the car, the tow bar was a swan neck because of the reverse sensors, so I haven't got anything to gauge it by, it is only 45mm between the front of the ball and the rear of the bumper.
As we have a AL-KO stabiliser is this too close?


Persontango55
09/10/2016 at 8:26pm
 Location: Lichfield
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It all depends on the model stabiliser you have. The official dimensions taken from the centre of the towball are as follows:

AKS 1300 = 65mm.    (40mm.)

AKS 2004 = 67mm.    (42mm.)

AKS 2007 = 60mm.    (35mm.)

AKS 3004 = 68mm.    (43mm.)

The dimensions in brackets are from the front of the towball to the vehicle rear bumper which looks like 45mm. is adequate enough clearance.


PersonGrampian91
10/10/2016 at 12:14am
 Location: Midlands
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Standard flanged towbars rarely affect the sensors so a swan neck towball was probably not essential.

What does need care is the electrics, these are more likely to interfere with the sensors.


Personmangler
11/10/2016 at 8:19pm
 Location: Birmingham
 Outfit: Sterling Europa 390EK View mangler's Profile View Profile   Reply to mangler Reply   Quote mangler Quote  
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Last night I took the stabiliser off the caravan and tried it on the ball.
It did go left to right without touching the bumper BUT IT WAS CLOSE.
I still waiting on a reply off the tow bar people.
As for the electrics, they are right under the bumper out of the way.


PersonOpensauce
12/10/2016 at 8:36am
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Do you have the version with larger bumper? The should be a longer version of towbar for this model.


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Personmangler
13/10/2016 at 6:48pm
 Location: Birmingham
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I don't know, all I know is, it's a 2013 model turbo diesel.


PersonRob and Tina
13/10/2016 at 8:16pm
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
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Is it a Zafira B or is it a Zafira Tourer?

Rob


PersonHumberWolf
14/10/2016 at 12:58pm
 Location: North Lincolnshire
 Outfit: Elddis Xplore 495 View HumberWolf's Profile View Profile   Reply to HumberWolf Reply   Quote HumberWolf Quote  
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What make of towbar has been fitted? As Opensauce has stated there may be a longer shaft fitted to the larger bumper model (called X pack I believe) for some makes of towbar. However, looking at the fitting instructions, others just appear to have a larger bumper cut.

If hitching and unhitching is going to be an issue, it may be worth speaking to the manufacturer about the problem to see if they can supply a longer towball shaft to connect to the crossbar. There have been several cases of this with detachable towbars, but that, of course, is much more easily rectified.

Post last edited on 14/10/2016 13:03:00


Personmangler
14/10/2016 at 10:20pm
 Location: Birmingham
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Zafira B


PersonRob and Tina
14/10/2016 at 10:35pm
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
 Outfit:  Swift Major 4SB View Rob and Tina's Profile View Profile   Reply to Rob and Tina Reply   Quote Rob and Tina Quote  
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When you mentioned that the car was a 2013 model I wondered if it was a Zafira Tourer. Now I'm wondering if a Zafira Tourer tow bar has been fitted to your car by mistake, I don't know if this is possible but it was one of those strange things that popped into my head.

What make of towbar has been fitted and do you have a model or type number? This may be stated on the invoice or there should be a sticker on the bar. If you have the make and type we should be able to check that you have the correct bar fitted.

Rob


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PersonHumberWolf
14/10/2016 at 10:45pm
 Location: North Lincolnshire
 Outfit: Elddis Xplore 495 View HumberWolf's Profile View Profile   Reply to HumberWolf Reply   Quote HumberWolf Quote  
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Quote: Originally posted by Rob and Tina on 14/10/2016
When you mentioned that the car was a 2013 model I wondered if it was a Zafira Tourer. Now I'm wondering if a Zafira Tourer tow bar has been fitted to your car by mistake, I don't know if this is possible but it was one of those strange things that popped into my head.

No Rob. I wondered this so I checked this on the Witter fitting instructions, but the two bars are completely different.

We need to know the make of towbar to help further.


PersonRob and Tina
14/10/2016 at 10:50pm
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
 Outfit:  Swift Major 4SB View Rob and Tina's Profile View Profile   Reply to Rob and Tina Reply   Quote Rob and Tina Quote  
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Thanks HumberWolf that's eliminated one possibility.

Rob



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