Tuscon towball/parking sensors

Jan 19, 2002
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Can anyone advise please. With a 2017 Hyundai Tuscon that has parking sensors on the rear and a reversing camera (SE model spec) will fitting a fixed flange towball and electrics be a problem when NOT towing? I know I can either switch out the sensors (or maybe the dedicated wiring will do this) when the caravan is attached, but I do want the sensors to work when reversing solo.
Over many years I have had Witter fixed flanges fitted to my history of vehicle ownership, but do not fit any accessories, apart from for the electric socket. Would I need to consider a swan neck or a detachable?
Would you expect the towbar specialist or Hyundai Main Dealer to know the answer?
Thanks.

Sorry, thought I had placed in 'Technical' - can a kind moderator shift it for me please?
 
May 7, 2012
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We have sensors on our Mazda and they are not affected by the towball. I would speak to the firm you want to do the fitting, but any experienced fitter should by now know how to deal with the potential problem, as most makes fit sensors and it is not a problem.
 
Nov 11, 2009
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I would agree speak to the fitting company. Best use a specialist fitter as that’s what the Hyundai dealer will do.
My first car with rear sensors was in 2004 and since then I’ve had two cars with fixed tow ball and two with detachable. In no case did the tow ball interfere with sensors or cameras. The sensors aren’t intelligent enough to know if you have a fixed towball fitted or if you have left your detachable one on when not towing.

You should ask fir the technician to fit the OEM towing loom and not a generic one, and make sure it’s connected for fridge and battery working/charging when towing.
 
Jan 19, 2002
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Thank you both for your thorough answers this morning and the fact that it now appears in 'Technical'!
I have sought a price for fitting for either fixed or detachable and definitely specific wiring kit (with a Midlands mobile company that I have used many times over the years).
Whether or not it might need a software upgrade will be another question, although my current Ford worked 'plug and play' perfectly without computer assistance!
As the Kia Sportage and H Tucson is the same floor-pan and engines (and other bits from the parts box!) further responses would be welcome from drivers of either!
Thanks
 
Nov 11, 2009
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audiorob said:
Thank you both for your thorough answers this morning and the fact that it now appears in 'Technical'!
I have sought a price for fitting for either fixed or detachable and definitely specific wiring kit (with a Midlands mobile company that I have used many times over the years).
Whether or not it might need a software upgrade will be another question, although my current Ford worked 'plug and play' perfectly without computer assistance!
As the Kia Sportage and H Tucson is the same floor-pan and engines (and other bits from the parts box!) further responses would be welcome from drivers of either!
Thanks

In my Sorento, XC70, Forester and current Superb the towbar fitter did the software recode. So stop start is off when hitched. Reversing lights on car are off etc. It all worked perfectly from day 1 on each car.
 
Oct 8, 2006
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otherclive said:
audiorob said:
Thank you both for your thorough answers this morning and the fact that it now appears in 'Technical'!
I have sought a price for fitting for either fixed or detachable and definitely specific wiring kit (with a Midlands mobile company that I have used many times over the years).
Whether or not it might need a software upgrade will be another question, although my current Ford worked 'plug and play' perfectly without computer assistance!
As the Kia Sportage and H Tucson is the same floor-pan and engines (and other bits from the parts box!) further responses would be welcome from drivers of either!
Thanks
In my Sorento, XC70, Forester and current Superb the towbar fitter did the software recode. So stop start is off when hitched. Reversing lights on car are off etc. It all worked perfectly from day 1 on each car.

I too thought that the ECU software change switched the BlueMotion off when towing on my previous two Passat Estates, but the one I have now I find still does stop-start. Given that if Aircon is switched on the engine does not stop, I would guess that the current pulled by the caravan fridge (in our case 15A) is enough to do the same.

To the OP, I would suggest a removable ball as it stops your shins getting bruised when not using the caravan. Make sure it is a good quality unit - Westfalia, or if you have a lighter van then get Thule. Make sure whatever you have that there is an attachment point for the breakaway cable to connect to as in some places (The Netherlands for example) it is illegal to use a loop round the ball. Besides it means that the caravan also stops if the hitch becomes detached for any reason - there's a YouTube video about it!
 
Nov 11, 2009
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Woodentop said:
otherclive said:
audiorob said:
Thank you both for your thorough answers this morning and the fact that it now appears in 'Technical'!
I have sought a price for fitting for either fixed or detachable and definitely specific wiring kit (with a Midlands mobile company that I have used many times over the years).
Whether or not it might need a software upgrade will be another question, although my current Ford worked 'plug and play' perfectly without computer assistance!
As the Kia Sportage and H Tucson is the same floor-pan and engines (and other bits from the parts box!) further responses would be welcome from drivers of either!
Thanks
In my Sorento, XC70, Forester and current Superb the towbar fitter did the software recode. So stop start is off when hitched. Reversing lights on car are off etc. It all worked perfectly from day 1 on each car.

I too thought that the ECU software change switched the BlueMotion off when towing on my previous two Passat Estates, but the one I have now I find still does stop-start. Given that if Aircon is switched on the engine does not stop, I would guess that the current pulled by the caravan fridge (in our case 15A) is enough to do the same.

To the OP, I would suggest a removable ball as it stops your shins getting bruised when not using the caravan. Make sure it is a good quality unit - Westfalia, or if you have a lighter van then get Thule. Make sure whatever you have that there is an attachment point for the breakaway cable to connect to as in some places (The Netherlands for example) it is illegal to use a loop round the ball. Besides it means that the caravan also stops if the hitch becomes detached for any reason - there's a YouTube video about it!

Mine which is a bit older than your Passat keeps the stop start operational when aircon is on via the ACC system in solo mode. But switches the stop start off when towing, but leaves aircon running. Mine doesn't pretend to be Blue anything or other. :whistle:

I would agree about a good quality towbar. I've always used either Witter or Brink, and for the last two fittings I have ordered the installation via the towbar makers website. That way you know that you are getting the genuine kit fitted by one of their approved technicians.
 
Nov 11, 2009
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Woodentop said:
For the record Westfalia and Witter are now owned by the same (US) outfit.

The US company are Horizon Global who specialise in trailer equipment. They were going to take Brinks into their group but dropped the acquisition in 2018. Brinks and Thule became one in 2006. Suspect Bosal may no longer be independent.
 
Feb 23, 2018
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otherclive said:
Woodentop said:
For the record Westfalia and Witter are now owned by the same (US) outfit.

The US company are Horizon Global who specialise in trailer equipment. They were going to take Brinks into their group but dropped the acquisition in 2018. Brinks and Thule became one in 2006. Suspect Bosal may no longer be independent.

Thule off-loaded their Towbar business in 2015, so Brink is it's own brand again.
 
Nov 16, 2015
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Hi Audiorob, not sure about the Tuscon but on my 2014 Sante Fe the rear sensors are not activated by my Fixed Tow Trust tow bar, when reversing without the van. the Reversing camera is great for hitch up. On all my previous cars as well, the tow bar and fixed ball were fine with rear sensors.
 
Jan 19, 2002
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I have tested it with a shoebox and aerosol can to simulate the position of the towbar and ball. It presented no problem with the sensors and is well short of the red line and continuous bleep area shown on my screen when reversing. Thank you for your advice and I can now go ahead with booking a fitter. Over the years I have had witter bars fitted to a variety of cars, and my only criticism would be the quality of the paint finish on the bar after a few years in situ.
 

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