Bumper plates for removable tow bars

paulanda
paulanda Forum Participant Posts: 4
edited January 2020 in Towcars & Towing #1

I am having a removable tow bar fitted to my car and wondered if there is a Bumper plate that some how bolts onto the swan neck.

I have seen the self adhesive clear silicon pad that stick to the car bumper, but don't particularly want to use one as it might leave sticky residue behind when eventually removed.

Any advise or pointers would be appreciated.

thanks

Paul

 

Comments

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited January 2020 #2

    Any residual sticky could be removed with WD40, meths or white spirit.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited January 2020 #3

    None that I've ever seen .... you just need to be careful 😉

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,599 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2020 #4

    I changed cars last year and the new one already had a swan neck towbar attached. I asked our local reputable towbar dealer if they could fit a bumper plate behind or attach one. They said no and told me, just like MM said, to be careful.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,667 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2020 #5

    We have had several detachable towballs, but never felt the need to protect the bumper as we have a precision positioning mover, so can avoid running into the bumper.

    I would not worry about fitting a stick on protector, any residue is easily removed using "sticky stuff remover" which is widely available.

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited January 2020 #6

    I'm in 100 % agreement with KjellNN about the remover. I got loads of gentle ( !! ) ribbing from a neighbour whose separating spouse had put loads of nasty horrible & rude stickers on his beloved 2-seater !! All the ribbing stopped sharpish when I offered him use of the bottle of " Sticky Stuff Remover " that I was holding out -- AND IT WORKS  wink

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited January 2020 #7

    I have a precision moving tow car and a banks(wo)man to guide me when hitching up, though I now have a camera to help that doesn't answer back! 😉

  • paulanda
    paulanda Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited January 2020 #8

    Thank you all for for your thoughts - perhaps the bumper pad is the way to go.

    Paul

     

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,302 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2020 #9

    I towed for 14 years until recently. To start with using a car without a camera and a non precision caravan mover. Even then I never managed to damage the car. Once I had a camera and better mover it was never an issue. The alko type hitches have a softish plastic surround and plastic bumpers do flex a fair bit, so even if any contact was made it never caused any damage. I have always had a manual tow car. I dont know if that makes any difference. I certainly find reversing the OH's automatic  against a wall (particularly if uphill) more difficult than my manual, and  both have cameras.

  • Hoddy
    Hoddy Forum Participant Posts: 34
    edited January 2020 #10

    Don't know what happened above but Witter do a flanged detachable towbar that you can fit a bumper protection plate to. I had one on a  Santa Fe which when not towing used it to carry bikes on a Witter bike carrier.

  • Sandgroper
    Sandgroper Forum Participant Posts: 210
    edited January 2020 #11

    Having just purchased a 'new' car with a detachable towbar I found that the new purchase left a deeper void than the old fixed bar. As I usually hitch up using the Ego Mover and have managed to stay clear of my bumpers for thirty years I am probably safe but I have considered manufacturing an aluminium shield (simply a right angle fold in a piece of ali sheet) backed with some foam cushion, or even old carpet, to slot over the bumper.

    That should solve any minor bumps. If I hit it harder perhaps its time to pack the game in!!!

  • lagerorwine
    lagerorwine Forum Participant Posts: 310
    edited January 2020 #12

    I would obtain one of those cheap 25mm thick kneeling pads that gardeners use from Poundland or similar. Then make a cut-out for it to slide down either side of the swan neck.

    There should be enough left sticking up to protect the bumper

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited January 2020 #13

    You don't need guards or pads if you take your time hitching which ever you take to which.