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 bars & parking sensors Post Reply Post New Topic
Personcathiebean
06/2/2017 at 5:19pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View cathiebean's Profile View Profile   Reply to cathiebean Reply   Quote cathiebean Quote  
Joined: 22/5/2012

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   5
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've just started looking into tow bars for our Ford Focus Estate and according to Towbar Express a swan neck tow bar is 'unlikely to trigger parking sensors' Since our last tow bar did (don't know what kind) and drove us mad, does anyone have experience of these, or can you recommend one that doesn't set off the parking sensors? There is a detachable one, which would be ideal, but it's about £100 more!
Any advice appreciated.


PersonGrampian91
06/2/2017 at 5:31pm
 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
Its usually the electrical socket that triggers the sensors not the towball itself.

Or accessories bolted to the towball like stabiliser brackets.

Have the electrical socket mounted slightly under the bracket or tucked in, i have mine facing sideways slightly and no issues with a flanged towball and even a bumper protection plate.


Persontango55
06/2/2017 at 6:33pm
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 450 View tango55's Profile View Profile   Reply to tango55 Reply   Quote tango55 Quote  
Joined: 15/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   9587
Site Reviews Total: 23
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 3  
Site Reviews 2021: 1  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 4  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 11
Site Nights 2021: 3
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 24
Site Nights 2018: 0
Detachable, swan neck or fixed flange towballs will not trigger the reversing sensors as Grampian91 has confirmed. All towbars require an electrical socket which is not central the same as the towball so it's the incorrect positioning of the socket will most likely have been the underlying fault which you previously experienced. I once had a Vauxhall Zafira on an 04 plate and was told that a detachable towbar was the only choice when rear parking sensors were installed which cost £150 more but after my next purchase which was a Ford Focus estate I was told by an alternative towbar company that a fixed flange towbar was okay. It was this towbar company that advised that it was where the socket was mounted is the most important feature and not the type of towbar and towball mounting.
I have reversing sensors on my Volvo but have a fixed flange towbar with a stainless steel bumper plate and no problems with detection of the sensors.


Persondinx
06/2/2017 at 7:02pm
 Location: north east
 Outfit: sprite alpine 4 View dinx's Profile View Profile   Reply to dinx Reply   Quote dinx Quote  
Joined: 10/2/2011

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   57
Site Reviews Total: 11
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
hi my last car was focus estate I had fixed tow bar, had electrics fitted underneath never had any problem with the rear sensors at all.


Personalex
06/2/2017 at 9:16pm
 Location: West Sussex
 Outfit: None Entered View alex's Profile View Profile   Reply to alex Reply   Quote alex Quote  
Joined: 06/3/2003

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   261
Site Reviews Total: 5
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 have a detachable towbar on a mondeo estate. If I leave the towbar on I am fine as long as the cover for the towball is on straight. If it gets knocked and is no longer symmetrical then the parking sensors are useless and it beeps like mad.


Advertisement



Personcathiebean
06/2/2017 at 9:59pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View cathiebean's Profile View Profile   Reply to cathiebean Reply   Quote cathiebean Quote  
Joined: 22/5/2012

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   5
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
Thank you so much for your replies, I hadn't even thought it could be the electrical socket. That makes me much happier with what to choose, and I'll definitely make sure the electric socket isn't in the way.


Personhaymat
12/2/2017 at 8:50pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View haymat's Profile View Profile   Reply to haymat Reply   Quote haymat Quote  
Joined: 09/3/2016

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   75
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: 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: 4
Site Nights 2018: 0
I have a fixed swan neck with sensors no problems. The electrics are just under the bumper so no problem with them either.


PersonColin21
12/2/2017 at 10:57pm
 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
No problems with my Volvo V70 either. Fixed flange type towbar, bumper protector, and single 7 pin socket. My parking sensors don't pick any of it up.


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


PersonPickled Onion
14/2/2017 at 10:29am
 Location: Near Alton Towers
 Outfit: Bailey Burgundy S7 H View Pickled Onion's Profile View Profile   Reply to Pickled Onion Reply   Quote Pickled Onion Quote  
Joined: 23/2/2006

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3042
Site Reviews Total: 11
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 3  
Site Reviews 2021: 1  
Site Reviews 2020: 2  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 1  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 11
Site Nights 2021: 5
Site Nights 2020: 9
Site Nights 2019: 8
Site Nights 2018: 1
Quote: Originally posted by alex on 06/2/2017
If it gets knocked and is no longer symmetrical then the parking sensors are useless and it beeps like mad.


I have a fixed swan neck towbar and the same thing happens to me, I think the sonic beam interacts in some way with the cavity in the cover. We have the Alko golf ball type and as alex says as long as its level its absolutely fine.

Dave.

-------------
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day,
Teach a man to fish and you can get rid of him for a whole weekend.



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

Prev       Next
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...

7724 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


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

Advent Calendar

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

Request a Reminder