Thule detachable tow bars?

flatcoat
flatcoat Forum Participant Posts: 1,571
1000 Comments
edited March 2016 in Towcars & Towing #1

I was looking at a car earlier today with a Thule detachable tow ball. The gap from ball to bumper seemed very tight and although I didn't measure it I estimate it was barely 2". Judging by the damage already on the bumper the previous owner clearly had
problems and I am not sure how an Alko hitch would fit without potentially catching the bumper. I have tried looking in the Thule/Bink website but cannot find any information as to whether a longer fitting is available? Any ideas? 

Comments

  • ydna
    ydna Forum Participant Posts: 20
    edited March 2016 #2

    I suppose there is a chance it is not the correct detachable part as the receiver is uniform throughout with a different length detachable part for different vehicles.

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
    500 Comments
    edited March 2016 #3

    The distance from the centre of the towball to the nearest part of the car should be no less than 68mm (2.67")  I can`t tell you exactly what mine is but the last two cars have not left a lot of clearance and care is always needed coupling up.

  • HarleyDave
    HarleyDave Forum Participant Posts: 150
    edited March 2016 #4

    Believe different swan necks are available,I had a Thule/Brink towbar on my Kuga (still have the swan neck if you need one)

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #5

     ..... (still have the swan neck if you need one)

    I wonder if the new owner bought the car with towing in mind ..... Innocent

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited March 2016 #6

    Believe different swan necks are available,I had a Thule/Brink towbar on my Kuga (still have the swan neck if you need one)

    Swan necks cannot be exchanged at will because the manufacturer has his towbars type approved as a complete assembly. It is, however, possible that two different assemblies are offered for the same model to suit differences in rear bumper design, but one
    cannot exchange components of such assemblies unless the manufacturer has made such provisions in the type approval.

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
    500 Comments
    edited March 2016 #7

    Measured my own tow bar/ball today just out of interest and it is 3 1/4" from the centre of the towball to the bumper.

Categories