Home Log in or Register

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Caravans and Caravanning

Topic: TOW BARS

SMARTBOY

14/5/2014 at 4:36pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 29/11/2011

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 15

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

Hi, has anybody has any experience with detachable towbars are they safe? are they easy to conect and disconect from the vehicle, at the moment I have a witter towbar on my vehicle but I propose to change the vehicle in September and was thinking of giving a detachable towbar a try, and advice would be helpful.

saxo1

14/5/2014 at 5:01pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 29/10/2005

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4485

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 have a Bosal detachable no problems, the advantage is you don't bang your shin or get oil on your trousers when accessing the boot.
The only thing I found is you need to remove it and don't leave it in attached for too long, it can be stiff to unlock it if left for a long time.
saxo1

Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off!

UKCampsite.co.uk users are rewarded with up to 12.5% off Caravan Guard touring caravan insurance, folding camper and trailer tent insurance, and 5% off motorhome and campervan insurance. Static caravan insurance is also available. Get an online quote now

Barbie Girl

14/5/2014 at 5:32pm
Location: Essex
Outfit: Eldiss Odyssey 534 & VW Touareg V10

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 15/10/2012

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 251

Site Reviews Total:	10

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

We have a detachable tow bar. Very secure and safe. Just dont lose the key for it.

-------------
Live life to the full you are a long time dead

idmainian

14/5/2014 at 8:39pm
Location: Halifax West Yorkshire
Outfit: VW Amarok Crewcab Pickup Truck

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 22/1/2011

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 660

Site Reviews Total:	3

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 was on a site two years ago and an outfit turned up and began sorting the van and pitch out it was a very warm day and after a while I could see that the car was still hooked up to the van and a crowd was gathering round the van then one of the chaps came over to our van to ask if I had a large socket set that they could borrow and off they went with my tool bag.After a while I went over to see what was going on it turned out the outfit was stuck together and no matter what they did they could not spite the two apart no matter what they did it stayed that way overnight and a mechanic came out the next day and it took him 3hours to split the two it was a detachable tow ball at fault.Ian

-------------
Sandy Gulls caravan site
Mundesley
North Norfolk
1st July to 22 July

Grampian91

14/5/2014 at 9:14pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 11/5/2008

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

There was one incident on one of the cop shows. Woman with a BMW X5 i think. Towing a horsebox and it came away.

Its not a common issue. If fitted properly and always take time to have a safety check before going on your way then it should be as safe as a fixed one.

I prefer fixed ones, But thats a personal choice.

LightFantastic

14/5/2014 at 9:34pm
Location: East Sussex
Outfit: Conway Crusader 2001 folding camper

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 23/3/2014

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 198

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 have a Westfalia detachable towbar - it's brilliant. Very easy to remove and attach (that link is to a video of it). Didn't want a fixed towbar for looks and for cracking shins on when loading up car.

As long as it's attached properly they're perfectly secure. I don't know about other makes, but on the Westfalia one it has a mechanism/attaching system that I can't see how it could be misfitted i.e. come off.

As said above, just don't lose the key - especially when it's detached!

Quote: Originally posted by idmainian on 14/5/2014....it took him 3hours to split the two it was a detachable tow ball at fault.

But was it because it was a detachable towbar specifically, or something that could have happened with a fixed towbar?, like an issue with the hitch or lack of maintenance etc.

gould300

14/5/2014 at 9:46pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Swift Lifestyle 4CK+Skoda Superb 280

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 05/6/2012

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 190

Site Reviews Total:	4

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 a Witter detachable and it's fairly straight forward to attach/detach. It slots into it's socket from underneath so I have to get down on one knee to look under the bumper but that means I can hear the clunk as the engagement pin locks it into place. It also has a red/green indicator so you know it's locked in attached properly before using the key to lock the whole thing. Removing is the reverse - unlock it with the key, twist the lock and it drops down and out.

The only slight niggle is the swing down 13 pin electrics. As they're tucked up inside the bumper and on a stiff pivot they can be tricky to grab hold of to pull down.

It's a detachable flanged ball too rather than a swan neck so it's a fairly weighty thing.

Andy JC

15/5/2014 at 5:09pm
Location: Clevedon
Outfit: CRV 2.2 i-DETEC & Bailey Pegasus 534

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 02/9/2005

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 166

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

Quote: Originally posted by LightFantastic on 14/5/2014

Quote: Originally posted by idmainian on 14/5/2014....it took him 3hours to split the two it was a detachable tow ball at fault.

But was it because it was a detachable towbar specifically, or something that could have happened with a fixed towbar?, like an issue with the hitch or lack of maintenance etc.

Totally agree. The fault would not likely to have been anything to do with the detachable part of the towbar because it's no where near the caravan hitch. Possibly a slightly miss-shapen towball or burr causing the problem.

I've had a Tow Trust detachable towbar for over 3 years and never had an issue. I went for this model as it was the only type that had a hidden receptor, underneath the bumper, when the hitch was removed. That said, I've stopped removing it when not in use as it offers some extra protection from rogue parkers!

LightFantastic

15/5/2014 at 7:04pm
Location: East Sussex
Outfit: Conway Crusader 2001 folding camper

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 23/3/2014

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 198

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

Quote: Originally posted by Andy JC on 15/5/2014
I went for this model as it was the only type that had a hidden receptor, underneath the bumper, when the hitch was removed. That said, I've stopped removing it when not in use as it offers some extra protection from rogue parkers!

The Westfalia one is also totally hidden once the swan neck was removed (for the OP's info more then anything). Because it inserts vertically there's nothing visible at all.

Last bit is true! Whenever I've left it on on occasions, it's amazing how you suddenly don't have people parked right up your chufter in car parks!

SMARTBOY

16/5/2014 at 9:29am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 29/11/2011

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 15

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

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR INFO I HAVE TAKEN ON BOARD ALL YOUR COMMENTS AND I WILL NOW GET THE BEST PRICE.

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 - Caravans and Caravanning - Top of Page

Printable version

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

10288 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

UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

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

Request a Reminder