Which detachable Tow Bar?

T

TimD

Member
I'm doing my research ahead of getting a tow bar fitted.

I definitely want a detachable one, and want the electrics to be out of sight when not in use. Looking back at old threads here, I see conflicting info about whether some brands (Westfalia, Tow Trust, for example) actually do this. Does anyone have recent feedback from installs?

Looks like PF Jones are a good starting point, but they have a number of detachable ones for the T6 - how to choose?

I'll be using it with a bike rack - I presume that no one tow bar brand is either more, or less suitable for this use?

Many thanks

Tim
 
Hi Tim good topic as I too am after the same sort of thing. A word of warning with PF Jones as I had Westfalia fitted by them to a Mercedes and can honestly say it was the worst job I have ever seen. The problem is the luck of the draw with fitter at these such places. Hopefully one of the regular forum contributors offers this service who we can trust.
 
I've got Westfalia fitted to both my van and my Merc. On the Merc the electrics swing up behind the bumper when not in use. However it's visible on the van but then so is the water filling/shower output point, just beneath the rear valance. It's not very prominent (although I don't drive behind my van!). I've been very pleased with the setup on the Merc. I haven't really had the van long enough to use the tow bar much and judge the install - well I have, I just haven't been allowed to as it's been parked on the drive for most of the last year! I have been away for one weekend with the bike carrier on, and it was fine. I've yet to load it with my new eMTB however, and I'm a little anxious that with its 29" wheels it may be too big for my Atera Strada 3DL!
 
I ended up going to a local coach builders and was going to get the westfalia but he talked me into the tow trust as he said the finish on them is much better and I’m sure he said they come with a lifetime guarantee. I got it properly coded in and it works very well, although similar to above I have so far only managed to use it a couple of times with my atera bike rack. The electrics tuck up beneath the bumper when not fitted so nothing is visible, it’s very neat.
 
Gavinsky23 said:
I ended up going to a local coach builders and was going to get the westfalia but he talked me into the tow trust as he said the finish on them is much better and I’m sure he said they come with a lifetime guarantee. I got it properly coded in and it works very well, although similar to above I have so far only managed to use it a couple of times with my atera bike rack. The electrics tuck up beneath the bumper when not fitted so nothing is visible, it’s very neat.
Click to expand...
Pics?
 
We can fit and code towbars, on a while you wait basis. All fitted exactly as it would come out the factory.
 
If you've got a tailgate, try to check whether or not your chosen combo of towbar and rack will enable you to open the back properly - I've got a Westfalia detachable and Thule Easy Fold and I can't! It kind of annoys me but the inconvenience is outweighed by the ability to stow the folding rack in a relatively small space in the cupboard under the stairs. Somebody on here did suggest that I could use the detachable towball from another Westfalia model as they have the same fittings but different shapes (ie. longer or not so high or both) which is probably correct BUT I raised it with Westfalia who said that you could not 'mix and match' as they would not have been tested together. That's probably a cop out but one that an insurance company would be quick to use if things ever went sideways!
 
Westfalia, I have had three now and rate them. On my Q5 you can even get a bracket to store the high where the spare does.
You won’t be disappointed with one of these.
 
I think the main issue you have here is finding a decent installer, I live near Chester and use CTCC, they are superb, never had any issues with them. Electric fitted as OEM and coded properly.

Find a decent fitter is the most important thing.
 
Last edited:
I can recommend a TowTrust detachable, had one fitted to my T6. Depends what you are planning to use the tow bar for, ie towing or bike rack, the TowTrust one has a higher unsupported nose weight figure than the equivalent Westfalia one.
Also don’t need the bumper infill bit like you do with a Westfalia.
 
J88arv said:
Where was this fitted? Sorry I’m the same dilemma as everyone else here
Click to expand...
I got it fitted by a small independent coachworks place in Cumbernauld (near Glasgow) that specialise in towbars. I was going for the westfalia but he talked me into this tow trust one and seems very good so far. Was also one of the only places I found which was happy to fit to an already converted van.

also I use an altera rack with this and it clears the tailgate with no problem and can take 4 bikes :thumbsup:
 
I have read there is a problem with the rear bumper flex if the relevant extra parts are not fitted. I assume the good ones are aware of this?
 
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