Fixed tow ball and rear sensors

LeTouriste

After two vehicles with detachable tow balls, changing vehicle again I decided to revert to a fixed tow ball.  But, for the first time I will have sensors front and rear, and it is the rear sensors that concern me.   Fitting is under way at the dealership, and I am now learning that the tow ball might upset the functioning of the rear sensors.  Talking to a few owners with sensors and a tow ball, I have received various views; from 'change back to detachable' (not practical at this late stage) through 'special washers can be fitted to change the angle of the appropriate sensors so they don't detect the tow ball' to 'disconnect the sensors nearest to the tow ball' to 'didn't make any difference' to 'with mine, the fitter let it bleep for about ten seconds, and then the sensors reconfigured themselves to accommodate the tow ball'.

The special washers idea sounds practical, I don't want to disable any of the sensors, and the last (really possible?) comment is the most appealing if true.

Cornersteady

I did read on here that one car dealer somehow managed to alter the distance that the sensors would start beeping? That is to beyond the length of the tow ball. Sorry but can't remember who wrote it or what car it was.

moulesy

What make/model of car do you have? On our Peugeot with a fixed towball the rear sensors are disabled only when the caravan is connected but function perfectly well otherwise. I've never considered having any modifications done.

eurortraveller

Land Rover dealer said to me that he no longer contracts out fitting tow bars and electrics - "we know how to do it properly" . Result exactly as Moulesy has described with his Peugeot - no problem at all. 

TonyBurton

I've got a fixed towball on my Ford Kuga. The sensors work fine , But they don't allow for the extra protrusion. So they let you get very close before the final long beep.

Olivegrower

I had my towbar fitted on my drive by towbar express. Great service, fixed Witter tow ball, no problems with parking sensors.

Vx Astra 2.0cdti 2014

richardandros

Dealer fitted fixed Westfalia towbar on my Touareg.  Sensors are disabled when van is attached (as they should be) and work normally the rest of the time.

grumpychippy

I have a Kia Sorento which came with a removable tow bar but is such a pig to remove that I have left it attached for the last 7 years. At no time has there been an issue with the reversing sensors. I would imagine that the the type of vehicle and its design would affect how the sensors behave

Wildwood

Our Mazda has sensors and we have no problem wit a fixed tow ball. It was fitted by a well established tow bar fitting firm who know the subject well. I suspect problems arise when the fitting is done by less competent fitters.

EmilysDad

After 7 years your tow bar has probably rusted itself solid to your car ... 🤔

Mitsi Fendt

Never had a problem with a fixed tow ball and reversing sensors. Last vehicle the fitter put a switch in the boot so that I could manually disable the sensors if I wished. Current vehicle has a reverse camera fitted that gives a view directly on the tow ball which is great for hitching up. Saves messing about with OH trying to direct me or fiddling about with the mover which I only use when I really can't manage otherwise.

grumpychippy

 I suspect you are right but as I am partxing for a new Sorento I dont really care. On the subject of reversing sensors, as long as the fitter uses a VSK  ( Vehicle Specific Kit ) then hitching up and connecting the electrics will automatically close down the rear sensors. VSK's also relay any problems, ie blown bulbs, and display on the dash. I have also learned recently that many main dealers actually bring in outside fitters for tow bars and electrics so dont assume that a tow bar fitted by a main dealer is done by there own staff. 

Oneputt

My Honda CR-V has a fixed towbar and never had a problem.  My wife’s car has a detachable and whenever it’s fitted and reversing the sensors activate continually.

IanTG

Whilst I have a detachable towbar on my Hyundai Santa Fe, I do leave it attached for long periods of time, even when not towing. The sensors do not detect it at all.

nelliethehooker

We've a detachable one on our Volvo and have had no problems with the sensors when it's attached.

Sandgroper

Fixed towbar on Mondeo with no problems. When reversing you are OK until the bleep is continuous! If you stop immediately at that point you have about six inches clearance on the ball .

Tammygirl

Fixed tow ball on  a Kuga sensors work fine.

johndailey

I had reversing sensors fitted and they are wired so that they are only active when reverse gear is selected. On the occasions that I reverse the caravan up to the peg, I only have to listen to the beeping for about one minute as I usually engage the motor mover to line up the alko wheel lock. 

lornalou1

all sensors only work when reverse is selected as if not when vehicles behind you at lights get to close they would be bleeping away every time. I have button on dash that turns sensors off when towing as not required and I can put towball perfect under tow hitch using reversing camera.