Halohodge Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 Just had a Witter detachable flanged tow bar fitted to my car and I am very pleased how it looks, you can hardly notice that it fitted when the tow ball assembly is not fitted, very neat, only bit showing is the breakaway fixing showing, the socket folds away out of site. My question is, how secure are they against theft, does anybody know if a van has been stolen when the van and car are parked, say in a service area by removing the whole assembly from the car, I know they are lockable but I was just wondering ?. Quote Swift Fairway pulled by a Ford Mondeo 2. 0 Business Edition 5 door hatchback Adventure before Dementia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rita Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 Our detachable towball has to be put in upside down to engage then pull it up the right way ready for the caravan to be attached So cannot see it being disconnected towball n all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shipbroker Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 I had a Witter fitted on my last Jeep and there was a locking keyhole to prevent theft. geoff Quote Kia Sorento KX-1 CRDI 4WD towing an Elddis Affinity 530 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodie106 Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 I have a witter detachable fitted on my voyager. Has a lock on it to prevent theft. Not sure how good the lock is as its never been tested. You just have to use the 'never leave your van unattended in services' rule, same as you always would. Quote I refer you to the Rt Hon Member for the 19th Century.....................pictured just to the left of your screen.................. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gellyneck Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 I have a Witter detachable flange towbar fitted and as others have said it is locked to the receiver fitted to the car. Personally, I think it would be easier to unhitch \ remove the caravan than to remove the towbar. Either way we don't leave the caravan unattended at a service area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADG Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 suppose it's less nick-able than a bolt-on. - two bolts and you have the 'van and ball complete! Quote Al. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gellyneck Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 suppose it's less nick-able than a bolt-on. - two bolts and you have the 'van and ball complete! The towball on a detachable is still fixed with tow bolts to the detachable head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angus Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 The towball on a detachable is still fixed with tow bolts to the detachable head. Not on any of the detatchables I have had! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gellyneck Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 Not on any of the detatchables I have had! My Witter flanged detachable (as per OP) has the Al-Ko towball attached to the head with two single use bolts. Swan necks \ verticals, I believe, are different and have no bolt attachment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADG Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 The towball on a detachable is still fixed with tow bolts to the detachable head. yeah. but then what? - in the case of the Westfaila on my car, you can't see where the receiver is bolted to the bar (it's way high up in the bumper) - and then you still need to get a hitch lock off to connect it to anything else - what i meant was, flange tow ball, will easily unbolt and re-bolt to any standard flange. Quote Al. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gellyneck Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 what i meant was, flange tow ball, will easily unbolt and re-bolt to any standard flange. As will the Witter towball shown in the picture above. The bolts are completely visible outside of the bumper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADG Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 As will the Witter towball shown in the picture above. The bolts are completely visible outside of the bumper. fair comment Quote Al. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotsstag Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 Watched a caravan programme on television this week and they tested some new Audi SUV / Estate, the tow-bar completely swung to the side and away under the car when not in use. . Looked a neat, practical solution to me. Although the car was about £50K. . Quote Defender 90 cruising along with a Coachman Laser 640/4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gellyneck Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 and how much of that was for the towbar compared to an aftermarket fit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halohodge Posted February 12, 2014 Author Share Posted February 12, 2014 (edited) The reason I chose the flange type is because I have a Pendle cycle rack bracket bolted to the flange, very good but a bit ugly when not in use, I can now remove the whole assembly and you wouldn't know a towbar rack was fitted. Edited February 12, 2014 by Halohodge Quote Swift Fairway pulled by a Ford Mondeo 2. 0 Business Edition 5 door hatchback Adventure before Dementia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADG Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 Westfalia make retractable's for certain models. .. http://westfalia-automotive. co. uk/retractable-towbars. html have also heard of a VW one that is electronically retractable tho! Quote Al. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotsstag Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 and how much of that was for the towbar compared to an aftermarket fit? Sorry I don't understand your question, that is if it was in reply to my previous post. Quote Defender 90 cruising along with a Coachman Laser 640/4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gellyneck Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 A bit tongue in cheek question! How much of the £50k was for the towbar and how would this compare with an aftermarket fitted alternative? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotsstag Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 No idea what the cost was, but it wasn't half smart. . Quote Defender 90 cruising along with a Coachman Laser 640/4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gellyneck Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 Typical doonhamer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muddywheels Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 There have been reports of Discovery 3/4 and Range Rover Sport detachable tow bars being stolen even though they are locked with keys - those in the know always remove them and keep in boot when not being used - there is a thriving market on ebay Quote A Vanner without a van due to the demands of DIY and SWMBO - 40 years was a good run though Now a Motorhome Learner with a Fiat Toad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clairendave Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 I have no option but to remove ours as it obscures the rear number plate if left in place. Quote A seemingly problem free 2010 model Adria Altea 542dk that has more than its fair share of use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halohodge Posted February 13, 2014 Author Share Posted February 13, 2014 The Witter flanged detachable assembly is a hefty piece of kit, very heavy, fair weight on car even before you hitch van up. Quote Swift Fairway pulled by a Ford Mondeo 2. 0 Business Edition 5 door hatchback Adventure before Dementia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halohodge Posted February 17, 2014 Author Share Posted February 17, 2014 Just checked my new tow bar electrics by plugging in a trailer board and noticed there is no audible alarm going off, is this a still legal requirement and if so would plugging in the board set it off rather than the van. Fitted by a Witter approved dealer so I assume they know what there doing. Don't want to go back to them as its a few miles away if its not necessary. Quote Swift Fairway pulled by a Ford Mondeo 2. 0 Business Edition 5 door hatchback Adventure before Dementia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clairendave Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 the vw fit on my work van has no audible. but it does have a fault light on the dash if something isn't working Quote A seemingly problem free 2010 model Adria Altea 542dk that has more than its fair share of use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.