Detachable Tow Hitch

[WoodlandsCamper]

Probably downsizing from a Vectra to an Astra next spring and will need to fit a new tow hitch. The OH has hit her legs on the current fixed hitch so many times

now she wants a detachable hitch on the next car. Is the deatchable part easy to put on and take off, and where does the 13 pin connector fit?

 

[Sproket]

Sir WC
As there a quite a few detachable towbars about for the Astra.

You have plenty of time to look at what might be the best for ease of fitment for yourself & negotiate a good price

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

Thank you Sir Sproket, there certainly appears to be a lot of choice on the market. As you say, I have some time to look around.

 

[PaulT]

I've had detachables on various cars over the years, all of them have just pushed on (I've never had a "swing out of sight one") and I've never had any problems - just do the usual check on the hitch security by winding it up on the jockey wheel. The 12v electric socket just sits alongside the hitch and the whole lot is (normally) hidden, when not in use, by a plastic cover. Make sure that you can lock the bar in place with a key when you are towing otherwise it's easy for a thief to take the van even if you have a caravan hitch lock.

 

[colin-yorkshire1]

I don't think the "the swing out of sight" refers to the hitch as this is either detachable or fixed, it is the socket that swings out of sight via a slider that allowes it to go up behind the valance "out of sight" the only problem with this arangment is it only suitable for a single socket so caravan towers would have to go 13pin,

 

[MichaelE]

I have seen some swing towbars even electric !! why i dont know??? Its takes longer electrically than manual , a bit like my electric heki Grrrrrrr total waste of time and money
I guess these towbars are the factory fitted ones?

 

[Martin24]

Parking is easier if it's not removable. Why don't you just wrap some foam around SWM's legs?

 

[colin-yorkshire1]

I have seen some swing towbars even electric !! why i dont know??? Its takes longer electrically than manual , a bit like my electric heki Grrrrrrr total waste of time and money
I guess these towbars are the factory fitted ones?

OH!!! never seen one of those,

in relation to the OP, the ones for fitting to the Astra are very similar to the ones fitted to the Meriva.
I can confirm they are really easy to use, push on, twist and pull off, so easy in fact I leave mine ON all the time,
not that it is anything to do with removal, just that everything I take off seems to disapear!!! even socks, must be an age thing

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

Parking is easier if it's not removable.

Martin - is this correct? Please explain. I would have thought the other way round, no tow hitch - shorter overall length and therefore easier.

 

[MichaelE]

I have seen some swing towbars even electric !! why i dont know??? Its takes longer electrically than manual , a bit like my electric heki Grrrrrrr total waste of time and money
I guess these towbars are the factory fitted ones?

OH!!! never seen one of those,

in relation to the OP, the ones for fitting to the Astra are very similar to the ones fitted to the Meriva.
I can confirm they are really easy to use, push on, twist and pull off, so easy in fact I leave mine ON all the time,
not that it is anything to do with removal, just that everything I take off seems to disapear!!! even socks, must be an age thing

here you go http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7V-ocCIUeKo its mainly the big german Marques that fit them.Friend has one on his car , spent more time showing it off than using it in the beginning, now he never touches it just leaves it in the out position to stop people hitting him when they park.

 

[Surfer]

With a detachable after a while you don't bother with removing it so you might as well stick with a fixed towbar!

 

[otherclive]

Parking is easier if it's not removable.

Martin - is this correct? Please explain. I would have thought the other way round, no tow hitch - shorter overall length and therefore easier.

[/quote
I think that Martin means that with the towbar in place you can dare I say it 'touch park' without risk of damage to your valance!!!

 

[RogerL]

With a detachable after a while you don't bother with removing it so you might as well stick with a fixed towbar!

Nah - much easier to remove it each time and keep your shins in one piece.

 

[Martin24]

Parking is easier if it's not removable.

Martin - is this correct? Please explain. I would have thought the other way round, no tow hitch - shorter overall length and therefore easier.

[/quote
I think that Martin means that with the towbar in place you can dare I say it 'touch park' without risk of damage to your valance!!!

Absolutely, When the tow ball touches it's time to stop.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

tut tut

 

[Ginab]

We have a retractable towball and electrics which are excellent. They are always there but can be just pushed out of the way when they are not needed - the best of both worlds

 

[PaulT]

Removable tow bars are a must for me and this view was reinforced on a recent cross channel ferry trip when I squeezed between two vehicles. I fell over a non removable tow bar and went "base over apex". Not only was my pride badly dented but one of my shins was cut and bruised as wwere my hands where I hit the deck.

 

[xtrailman]

My first year with a witter detachable and it does the job.
To be honest my next bar will probably be a fixed again, i only went for the detachable because the fitter cast doubt in my mind that the reversing sensors would activate.
Since having the CX-5 a while i don't think they would. And there is a off switch for the sensor anyway.

The downside for me is the low position the (swing away) socket has, it involves kneeling to plug and unplug.

 

[ChrisUK]

Sir WC
As there a quite a few detachable towbars about for the Astra.

You have plenty of time to look at what might be the best for ease of fitment for yourself & negotiate a good price

My Witter removable tow ball is like the one above, generally its great - except it does reduce the ground clearence and I often clip it going on and off small ferries in Scotland. Some removables go in horrizontally rather than vertically which might overcome clearence problems.

 

[ChrisUK]

A friend has a bmw x3 with an electrically operated hook, very neat/expensive. complex?

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

Sir WC
As there a quite a few detachable towbars about for the Astra.

You have plenty of time to look at what might be the best for ease of fitment for yourself & negotiate a good price

My Witter removable tow ball is like the one above, generally its great - except it does reduce the ground clearence and I often clip it going on and off small ferries in Scotland. Some removables go in horrizontally rather than vertically which might overcome clearence problems.

I bought a Westfalia, as above, and it's very easy to fit and remove. No bruised shins yet.