Another Whitter Detachalbe Towbar problem
All loaded up this mornig ready for the off, tried to attach the tow ball, nope wouldn't have it.
Used WD and couldn't get it into the correct position for attaching into the housing. After 30minutes of messing, had to take it over to the installer which was a 45 min drive. Seems the internal locking mecanism is kaput and it will need returning to Whitter. After reading a few google threads, one where it detached itsself with the caravan on, guy said he was sure it had locked it into place correctly, I can't put my trust into this towbar anymore. Its still in waranty, less than two years old and had very little use. So i'm having it converted to a fix one but had to cancel the booking to West Ayton at the last minute, as I can't get the conversion done until wednesday. Tow bar place is hoping Whitter will pay for the conversion but i'm not holding my breath on that one!!!! Just glad we don't have to pay upfront for the CC sites as it would be an expensive week. Yes got the auto response for a late booking but can't be avoided in the above situation. and I also informed the site we won't be comming.
Off to unload the car now!!!!!
Edit Heading should read Detachable, can't get much right today!!!!!
Comments
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sorry to hear that, i fitted my own towbar and spent a lot of time researching them. I went for a witter fixed flange.
I was suspect to removable tow balls as it seemed to me it would be another point of wear, or could get jammed easily with road grit. It seems to me you are stuck in catch 22. You need to gease the catches to operate smoothly and inhibit rust, but this will
allow grit to stick stopping smooth operation.This just prooves to me that overcomplicating a simple device just to improve asthetics of the car is a false economy in my and your case.
The biggest con in my case is my poor shins.....
I hope you get it done without charge - remember your contract is with the seller not the manufactor - if it is unfit they need to rectifie the fault. this should be with without cost to you.
goodluck
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Re - …”Tow bar place is hoping Whitter will pay for the conversion but i'm not holding my breath on that one!!!!”
Remember it's the "Tow bar place" that have sold you a product that is seemingly unfit for purpose.
There isn't a problem with getting it fixed or as I suspect a replacement but I have lost faith in this now and will convert to a fixed type. Don't want the hassle again especially at the last minute. I have always had fixed tow bars in the past but thought
the detachable one would be better choice for this car, looks wise.0 -
sorry to hear that, i fitted my own towbar and spent a lot of time researching them. I went for a witter fixed flange.
I was suspect to removable tow balls as it seemed to me it would be another point of wear, or could get jammed easily with road grit. It seems to me you are stuck in catch 22. You need to gease the catches to operate smoothly and inhibit rust, but this will
allow grit to stick stopping smooth operation.This just prooves to me that overcomplicating a simple device just to improve asthetics of the car is a false economy in my and your case.
The biggest con in my case is my poor shins.....
I hope you get it done without charge - remember your contract is with the seller not the manufactor - if it is unfit they need to rectifie the fault. this should be with without cost to you.
goodluck
Always had fixed in the past and couldn't agree more with your comments now the horse has bolted!!!!
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i always used to have fixed towbars till i bought my last vehicle which had a detachable tow bar fitted took of a couple of times then had trouble getting it to lock in so now for the last year stays on never take it of so dont worry anymore bassett.
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I've never ever had a problem with my current Bosal or previous Westfalia detachable towbar, either fitting it or in general use. IMHO Witter are aftermarket ....... does any car manufacturer use them as factory fit? ...... Problems with detachable bars
here all seem to be from aftermarket bars.0 -
I have an old Saab C900 1991, and don't think detachables were available for these cars. I don't know who made mine, but it sticks out about 9" from bumper, and have caught my shins more than once,but it's there, solid. If I bought a car with removable hook, I would probably get the welder out and make it permanent, but rather do that, and worry about a detachable coming off and the caravan finishing in the hedge, holiday would be really ruined. Also it's my parking sensor in multi story carparks, as you touch the wall with the bar lol.
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..... If I bought a car with removable hook, I would probably get the welder out and make it permanent, but rather do that, and worry about a detachable coming off and the caravan finishing in the hedge, holiday would be really ruined. Also it's my parking
sensor in multi story carparks, as you touch the wall with the bar lol.There really are some Luddites around when detachable towbars are mentioned. I, and probably many others, have towed hundreds of miles using a reputable make of detachable towbar with no problems at all. Use it or loose it ie maintain it and you'll hve no
problems at all .... providing it's not from an aftermarket manufacturer.0 -
I am on my third detachable with the current one being supplied by Hyundai but is actually a Witter one. I do however, always fit it the day before departure, as part of the checks I do. This is a process we do, following an accident where our caravan became
disconnected. This was not due to the the tow bar becoming detached, but the caravan came off the ball itself. I do have a slight distrust that the towbar fits in vertically upwards. This means all the weight is transferred to the latches that hold it in place.
So I stand on the ball to ensure it has latched properly.0 -
I've never ever had a problem with my current Bosal or previous Westfalia detachable towbar, either fitting it or in general use. IMHO Witter are aftermarket ....... does any car manufacturer use them as factory fit? ...... Problems with detachable bars
here all seem to be from aftermarket bars.My Vauxhall had a Witter detachable tow bar as factory fitted. I have just replaced it with a Mazda and the tow bar is a dealer fit only. The Mazda dealer sub contracts out the work to......Witter. I've had no problems, but I do take it back every year to
the tow bar company who fitted it who check that bolts are tight, electrics etc. I know some will be critical of my approach but I am more than happy to spend a few quid to be safe.0 -
We'll ask Lutz when he's around next ..... but I doubt that rebadged German Opel ie a Vauxhall uses a towbar made in Wales.
And your close proximity to Flintshire might make some suggest that your 'factory fit' towbar might actually have been fitted by the supplying dealer ....
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Well if it was a dealer fit they had to replace the complete rear bumper as it had a cut out and cover (not cut out during fitting) to allow the tow bar and electrics to be attached. Also the tow bar matched that in the vehicle manual.
A suggestion, could the problem with the detachable towbar be that people are not replacing the dust cap/cover in the neck housing after each use?
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In reply, the Whitter is less than two years old and had only 12 connections in that time. That may be less and two or three have been to tow a light trailer to the local tip. I have always replaced the cover in the housing and cleaned the the tow ball assembly after each use. It has always been stored in the bag that was supplied with the unit and next to my spare wheel in the boot well. Its a modern type that locks into place with a firm click and an indicator to confirm this.Just don't know whats gone wrong with this unit but the supplier who is a well known tow bar fitter in the North West, after consutation with ?? said he thought all the internal bearings had collapsed and it needed to go back to Whitter. What is disconcerning is the little use it has had since it was fitted in Aug 2014. This when towing as I think you will all agree, is a crucial part and needs to be reliable. So I'm going back to a fixed type that's as reliable as can be.
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A suggestion, could the problem with the detachable towbar be that people are not replacing the dust cap/cover in the neck housing after each use?
IMHO it's when people leave it on for prolonged periods and then wonder why it won't go on or come off
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