Thanks to all who have replied to my post. We've acquired a Passat Estate, which has a swan neck towbar fitted, but we have a flange mounted cycle carrier/bash plate from our X-Trail. I am concerned that there is also insufficient clearance between the swan neck towball and the car bumper to clear an AKS 2004 hitch as fitted to our Bailey Senator Indiana (we've not yet towed with it).Alko say that there needs to be minimum 67 mm from centre of the towball to the nearest part of the car, but although we have about 72mm, this does not look enough under (virtually) full articulation. Anyone know if this is OK? This is why I am looking to "convert" the swan neck to flange type, using a converter.
Towsure use a t-piece to switch what could be a swan neck to flange type, but won't sell anything other than a complete towbar - probably as the whole kit is type-approved (but you can then buy any towball to bolt onto the flange ?!).
Any further advice welcome - thanks again.
Ann