Hi folks, got the 163 PS Insignia Sports Tourer on a 2013 plate and we want to sort a towbar in advance of us picking up our Bailey Pegasus Milan. Ive decided to go with Witter (for no reason other than I think theyre a trusted brand), but Im unsure which to go for. As I understand it, I want the 13 pin electrics, but I dont know if I should go for the Fixed Flange, 2 hole faceplate or the Detachable Swan towbar. According to the blurb, the former may set off reversing sensors, which we do have fitted to our vehicle. I know we need an ALKO ball, that seems not to be an issue as they can both comply in that respect. Is any of the two more preferable than the other, and more importantly, will it really set off our sensors ? Seems a bit prehistoric if its true. PLEEEEAse help / advise. Regards from the South Yorkshire Newbies
Towbar advice for 2013 Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 163PS
- Thread starter mkell
- Start date
hi, welcome to the forum, wether a tow bar will interfere with the reversing sensors really depends on the position of the of the sensors in relation to the bar, some do some don't I know there can be a problem when the van's attached, as the proximity of the A frame can be sensed, I believe you can disable the sensors while towing,
A Alko ball is only needed on a fixed flange tow bar as swan necks accept the Alko hitch without difficulty. the choice of tow hitch is purely personal, but from experience, after taking a few lengths of skin off the shins with a fixed ball one sees the benefit of a detachable type, that is if one can be bothered to remove it, suprising how many removable bars are never touched.
A Alko ball is only needed on a fixed flange tow bar as swan necks accept the Alko hitch without difficulty. the choice of tow hitch is purely personal, but from experience, after taking a few lengths of skin off the shins with a fixed ball one sees the benefit of a detachable type, that is if one can be bothered to remove it, suprising how many removable bars are never touched.
Hi MKell
We have just bought a Vauxhall Zafira Tourer that has rear parking sensors, we have had a detachable towbar fitted and had the dedicated wiring loom fitted which when the caravan is attached turns off the rear parking sensors when reversing and also turns off the rear fog lights on the car so you don't get a glare from the front of the van.
We have just bought a Vauxhall Zafira Tourer that has rear parking sensors, we have had a detachable towbar fitted and had the dedicated wiring loom fitted which when the caravan is attached turns off the rear parking sensors when reversing and also turns off the rear fog lights on the car so you don't get a glare from the front of the van.
Many many thanks to both of you for taking the time to give me such informative replies. That really helps me. 
Hi mkell,
I have a Mondeo Sport, very similar to your insignia in terms of power and more importantly suspension height and looks. I have to echo the other replies, and advise you to consider the removable flange towbar.
You get all the benefits of a fixed towbar - it can take bolt on bike carriers etc if thats your thing, can take protective plates, stabiliser plates etc, all very important, and which cannot be fitted to swan necks without additional parts,
but ....... when not towing, you simply remove it from the car (takes 10 seconds) and your lovely "sporty car looks" aren`t spoiled for the other 48 weeks of the year.
I have a Mondeo Sport, very similar to your insignia in terms of power and more importantly suspension height and looks. I have to echo the other replies, and advise you to consider the removable flange towbar.
You get all the benefits of a fixed towbar - it can take bolt on bike carriers etc if thats your thing, can take protective plates, stabiliser plates etc, all very important, and which cannot be fitted to swan necks without additional parts,
but ....... when not towing, you simply remove it from the car (takes 10 seconds) and your lovely "sporty car looks" aren`t spoiled for the other 48 weeks of the year.
I have a detachable witter and to be honest I find it a real pain, previously only had a fixed flange. The only reason I went detachable was the fitter couldn't say whether the bar would set the sensors off.
Having had the car a while I believe a fixed bar would be ok, but it would be a fixed swan, as I always connect to the caravan with the mover, so no bumper protector required, I also have a reversing camera on the car.
The fixed swan is also around £100 cheaper.
Having had the car a while I believe a fixed bar would be ok, but it would be a fixed swan, as I always connect to the caravan with the mover, so no bumper protector required, I also have a reversing camera on the car.
The fixed swan is also around £100 cheaper.
I have exactly the same but the Astra.
Fixed swan neck by Witter and no problems with the parking sensors.
Or sit fully in the boot, car in reverse and hold a drinks bottle by the top roughly where the towbar will be and see if it activates the sensors.
Fixed swan neck by Witter and no problems with the parking sensors.
Or sit fully in the boot, car in reverse and hold a drinks bottle by the top roughly where the towbar will be and see if it activates the sensors.
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