Which Tow Bar

[sjones]

Dear all

We are looking at purchasing a tow bar for the Kia Sportage, your views on which one would be very much appreciated, should we go for fixed, swan, removable, single or twin sockets, is it just a matter of aesthetics or practicality?

Many thanks, confused.com

 

[Martin24]

if you are keeping the car until you have (or already have a post 2009) van then get a 13pin socket fitted and buy an adaptor for any intrim period. Single electrics if the above isn't applicable if you only ever want to just run the lights on the van twin electrics if you want to charge battery, run fridge etc...

As far as fixed/detachable goes I always have fixed because we use the van nearly every weekend and can't be bothered to take on and off, also a fixed one is better than parking sensors in some cases

 

[karl_374480759]

dear Blade, we use a fixed ball and always have, as for single/twin electrics,

single electrics just supplies the exterior light on your van

twin electrics will charge your battery and fridge BUT, it takes too long to charge the fridge, in fact if its not over a 3hr journey or in hot weather the fridge will not be very cold on arrival unless you plug the mains hook up in and get the fridge cold before you set off then the 12 volt twin electrics WILL keep it cold, we never use the grey plug(twin) anymore, but the other good thing with twin electrics is, if your battery goes flat you can hook the grey plug in and run your interior 12 volt supply for lights and so on from your car, but we have only ever needed to do that once

 

[Lutz]

A fixed towball, whether flange mounted or swan neck, is a potential hazard to your shins when loading the boot of the car. For this reason alone, I'd go for a removable or retractable towball.

If you have a caravan with an AlKo stabiliser, you'll need a specific towball if it's of the flange mounted variety. Swan neck towbars will cater for any type of stabiliser.

 

[Guest]

I have a removable Wetter towball and I would high recommend it. The car is a 4x4 and I use the boot lot and having a removable ball means I don't keep bashing my shins on the towball all the time which is what happened with the fixed ball.

Putting on and taking off is a 5 second job so is not a factor.

 

[Hoits]

I have a witter removable, which gives me a few more inches of clearance in my garage. Very easy to fit and remove.

Dave C

 

[foshy]

Hi,

On my new car (Volvo) I went for the removable swan neck tow bar and single 13 pin electrics. I converted the caravan and the whole set up is great. The tow bar is so quick and easy to fit, very secure with a lock and when not in use it fits nicely in the boot next to the spare wheel in its own bag. This helps it stays clean to. The only time it is on the car is when I am towing. Well worth the money in my opinion and does not upset the rear view of the car.

 

[Martin24]

if you are keeping the car until you have (or already have a post 2009) van then get a 13pin socket fitted and buy an adaptor for any intrim period. Single electrics if the above isn't applicable if you only ever want to just run the lights on the van twin electrics if you want to charge battery, run fridge etc...

As far as fixed/detachable goes I always have fixed because we use the van nearly every weekend and can't be bothered to take on and off, also a fixed one is better than parking sensors in some cases

Oh and after 37 years of fixed towballs I've never once knocked my shin on it!