DetachableHi. I’m in the market for a tow bar for my T5.1. A lot of the ones I’ve seen on eBay and other sites are big ugly things hanging off the rear bumper. Has anyone got any ideas. Many thanks. Lui
Thanks for your adviceWestfalia detachable is very popular.
Pete
Thanks for your advice
Why does the westfalia need the support but the others doubt? I thought it was just a standard inclusion if the van had a factory fitted tow bar but never really understood what it was or did
It probably does but it isn't particularly good practice. It is pretty much accepted that removables (in general, this isn't specific to the T6 or the Wesfalia bar) that are left permanently in are the ones that are more likely to inadvertently drop out. This is because you may have no idea if the locking pin/mechanism is free or seized without removing it. If it is seized and someone has had a go at getting it off (thief, previous owner with a lump hammer for example) they can end up in the unlocked position but appearing to be in the locked position. When you start towing the stresses and movement unseize it and out it drops with your trailer or caravan attached to it and not to your van.I leave my Westfalia permanently attached, I like to think it stops people from backing into my rear bumper.
It probably does but it isn't particularly good practice. It is pretty much accepted that removables (in general, this isn't specific to the T6 or the Wesfalia bar) that are left permanently in are the ones that are more likely to inadvertently drop out. This is because you may have no idea if the locking pin/mechanism is free or seized without removing it. If it is seized and someone has had a go at getting it off (thief, previous owner with a lump hammer for example) they can end up in the unlocked position but appearing to be in the locked position. When you start towing the stresses and movement unseize it and out it drops with your trailer or caravan attached to it and not to your van.
If you want to leave it in all the time, good practice is that you remove it and reinsert it before you tow with it, so that you can check that the locking mechanism isn't seized and is working and engaging correctly (generalist advice, not suggesting that you don't follow what you consider to be good practice in any way).
There is a well publicised case of someone who's removable hitch fell out with their horse trailer attached to it, the first time they had used it on a secondhand car they had just purchased. It transpired that the removable part hadn't ever been removed from the vehicle since new (six years) and the previous owner had 'had a really good go at getting it off' before they sold the car. New owner just saw the hook on the back and hitched up..........
Thank youThat’s a very good post, noted
Second this.Just had a Tow trust detachable tow bar fitted.... Really pleased with it... Simple to remove etc... Very hidden as body of it is inside the bumper... The fitter says its the only one designed for the t6 the others brought forward from the T5
Or like my misses uses it as her parking sensor judging by the brick dust on itI leave my Westfalia permanently attached, I like to think it stops people from backing into my rear bumper.
Great stuff. Cheersdetachable swan, will be hidden underneath
Can anybody tell me whether the electrics for the Westfalia Detachable on a T6 are as well hidden as those described above please. I'm in the position where I was going to make a call this very day to arrange for one of them to be fitted. If it makes any difference, I think the 'stock' electrics for the Westfalia are 13 Pin. I'm only planning on using it for a 2 bike rack - just need to find one that will fit through the lost hatch when it's not in use. Also, I had a quick look at the Towsure website this morning and priced up a home installation for a detachable with the vehicle specific 13 pin wiring at came to £834 - am I the only one that thinks that's a bit excessive when compared to around £600 for the Westfalia (inc.with the foam support inserts).Second this.
Really neat and easy to fit/remove.
The 7 pin electrics also rotate up behind the bumper when the tow bar is removed so you see nothing other than the bumper.