Detachable ball hitch

Airgirl
Airgirl Forum Participant Posts: 4
edited July 15 in Towcars & Towing #1

Hi, I used to caravan as a child with my parents and then myself for a while as a young adult but not for about 30 years.  Obviously so much has changed in that time! My hubby and I are about to try and sort a caravan so that we can get back to it and therefore need to get my Škoda Superb estate fitted with a tow bar.  Having made some enquiries it seems that ideally I need a swan neck detachable one to accommodate the parking sensors on my car but to be honest I am a bit hesitant at the thought of the detachable idea! Will it come detached when the caravan is on the back!

Please talk some sense into me and give me your thoughts, opinions and experiences!  Thanks loads! 

Comments

  • Marybeth
    Marybeth Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited July 15 #2

    I towed with an MVG detachable towbar with no issues whatsoever - when you feel the weight of it you will realise how sturdy they are. Once in position they are locked in place so there is no way thay can work loose. There is a plastic blanking plate which blanks off the hole when the towbar is removed. Picture attached which may help (This is from my old towbar so is spare)

    I also have a detachable towbar on my new car - different brand but just as sturdy.

    Dont forget to sand the paint off the towing ball before use so the friction pads in the towhitch get a good grip. Also check that there is sufficient clearance between your bumper and the towball to allow the caravan tow hitch to drop on.

    Hope that this reassures you

  • heddlo
    heddlo Forum Participant Posts: 872 ✭✭
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    edited July 15 #3

    We have only ever had detachable tow balls.  No issues whatsoever.  Really dislike having a fixed towball on the car all the time. 

  • Amesford
    Amesford Forum Participant Posts: 685
    500 Comments
    edited July 15 #4
    1. The ones we had you just pushed them into to the fitted bracket they clicked in then with the supplied keys lock in situ, as pointed out they are a fair weight but at least you don't bruise your shins 
  • JohnM20
    JohnM20 Forum Participant Posts: 1,416
    1000 Comments
    edited July 16 #5

    Please correct me if I'm wrong, and certainly this is the case on my car, the key is to unlock the towball to be able to remove it. Locking is automatic when you push it into the fitted bracket. 

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 16 #6

    Seems there is various ways in attaching and locking. My 3 year old Witter detachable inserts, clicks and secured, it then has the option to lock using the key to prevent removal from its socket. Default is unlocked.

    To the OP, I have been using detachables for many years, go for a reputable brand, no need to worry regarding their safety.

  • TimboC
    TimboC Club Member Posts: 422 ✭
    250 Likes
    edited July 17 #7

    Ive had 2 cars with detachable towballs, and never had a problem with either

  • joanie
    joanie Forum Participant Posts: 135
    First Comment
    edited July 17 #8

    like as been said it is locked on, we had no issues with using it once it was on but the weight became too much for me.  We now have an electric one which we find a lot easier to use. 

  • RMurphy003
    RMurphy003 Forum Participant Posts: 6
    edited October 21 #9

    Had these on 3 cars now over the last 9 years, the only issue I've had is with turning the handwheel now I'm getting a bit of arthritis in my hands! The key does not lock the hitch into place, it simply locks the handwheel so you can't turn it. When the assembly clunks into place, give it a good shake to make sure, and when taking it out, put something on the ground to catch it in case you drop it!

  • Amesford
    Amesford Forum Participant Posts: 685
    500 Comments
    edited October 1 #10

    Sorry for the delay but the ones we had clicked into place then we locked it as ours had knob you had to pushed in and twist to release the tow bar so the knob could not be operated when locked. 

  • Fozzie
    Fozzie Club Member Posts: 550 ✭
    500 Comments
    edited October 1 #11

    I have a detachable tow bar oddly on a Skoda Superb, but mine is a saloon,not an estate.

    The "positivity" when refitting tow bar is reassuring with a positive clunk.Any good tow bar installer will show you, and let you fit it whilst he is present.

    My fitting is the same as Amesford above with the push and twist to release.

    I have unfortunately witnessed two caravan uncouplings on site in the past,both over speed ramps,neither were due to the towbar coming away from the tow car.

     

     

     

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Forum Participant Posts: 3,579
    1000 Comments Photogenic
    edited October 4 #12

    Having dealt with thousands of motor claims I have never had one with a detachable tow bar failing but these were a good few years ago now so newer ones should be even better. 

    Personally I have always seen them as one more thing to do and possibly go wrong so save money on fixed ones but that's just me. 

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