Fixed or Removable

[davidjpowell]

Have a need for a towbar.

Considering the options for both. detachable seems to be double the product cost roughly. I assume the fitting cost will not change much.

Car has parking sensors (S210)

Any experience?

My only detachable experience was that they were a pain to remove and install and I ended up filthy.

 

[renault12ts]

I have a fixed one...but it is so easy to remove with 2 17mm sockets that I can't see the benefit of a removable one.

 

[BTB 500]

I've got a removable one on the Vito ... only takes a few seconds to fit or remove. I'd certainly go for one again.

 

[Chrishazle]

My S204 has a factory fitted stowaway tow hitch - hides behind the back bumper when not required (so no clouting shins on it!!) but there's a release knob in the rear offside cubby hole, it drops down a little then you twist to lock the hitch into place. Best of both worlds!!

 

[jaymanek]

My S204 has a factory fitted stowaway tow hitch - hides behind the back bumper when not required (so no clouting shins on it!!) but there's a release knob in the rear offside cubby hole, it drops down a little then you twist to lock the hitch into place. Best of both worlds!!

Those are perfect as they really do hide away with nothing visible...

But they are only available from factory...

Aftermarket removable towbars are nowhere neat as neat and usually the electrical gubbins will remain in view.

 

[davidjpowell]

My S204 has a factory fitted stowaway tow hitch - hides behind the back bumper when not required (so no clouting shins on it!!) but there's a release knob in the rear offside cubby hole, it drops down a little then you twist to lock the hitch into place. Best of both worlds!!

I don't think that was an option on mine! It certainly is not now.

 

[davidjpowell]

Those are perfect as they really do hide away with nothing visible...

But they are only available from factory...

Aftermarket removable towbars are nowhere neat as neat and usually the electrical gubbins will remain in view.

Cheers Jay.

It's likely the other-half will be driving the Merc more often shortly, and I therefore worry about the parking sensors not working properly with a fixed bar.

I think I've talked myself into a removable to be honest. I understand Renault's point, but had to beg mechanics to unbolt a towball years ago when I could not shift it, and am reluctant to rely on my strength when towing.

Was also concerned after my previous, but I think perhaps that was jammed.

Since I last looked this came up.

Towbar Detachable + Electric Kit Mercedes E-Class 1996 On Estate S210 210 | eBay

suspicious of price.

Thule option
THULE Brink Towbar for MERCEDES E CLASS ESTATE S210 1996 - 2002 DETACHABLE | eBay

Westfalla
Mercedes Westfalia Detachable Towbar EClass Est 96 To 03 | eBay

Choices....

 

[The Polisher]

I have just (well, in March!) had a detachable bar fitted to my new 13 plate E220 estate. Done by PF Jones in Manchester.

They told me my preference for a fixed bar was not an option as the parking sensors may see it, so they recommended a detachable one.

Very impressed with it, lovely piece of engineering and totally invisible (including the 13 pin electrics which swing up out of the way and view) and takes seconds to fit, lockable and you don't need to scabble underneath to do it. I can do it by feel without lying on the floor.

Got the westphalia one, which is exactly the same as the factory one I had on my last Audi.

Throughly recommend PF Jones, very professional fit, no issues and the cost was about £550 including the software download. this was for full function 13pin for a UK caravan.

 

[gaz_l]

Have a need for a towbar.

Car has parking sensors.

Any experience?

I always found on my Subaru that the towbar made an *excellent* alternative to parking sensors.

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[BTB 500]

Got the westphalia one, which is exactly the same as the factory one I had on my last Audi.

The factory towbar on our Vito is Westfalia, and the one on my VW Sharan before that was too. Excellent quality.

Another advantage is that the tow hook can easily be replaced if necessary. I had an HGV rear-end the caravan while towing with the Sharan - the fact that the hook bent probably saved the car from structural damage.

 

[Dieselman]

I had an HGV rear-end the caravan while towing with the Sharan -

Maybe the driver been taking Clarksons advice regarding caravans...good Lad...






I was stuck behind every caravan in the UK trying to overtake lorries up hills on the A1 yesterday. The tailback was literally miles long just to get off the M18, the pain then continued for the next 20 miles.

 

[BTB 500]

Maybe the driver been taking Clarksons advice regarding caravans...good Lad...

Amazingly the caravan was rebuilt ... I'd fully expected it to be written off. The HGV (a Mothercare artic.) wasn't driveable after the crash, either!

I was stuck behind every caravan in the UK trying to overtake lorries up hills on the A1 yesterday.

Not mine

People with underpowered outfits annoy me as much as anyone else.

 

[Deleted member 11979]

Amazingly the caravan was rebuilt ... I'd fully expected it to be written off. The HGV (a Mothercare artic.) wasn't driveable after the crash, either!



Not mine

People with underpowered outfits annoy me as much as anyone else.

A caravan takes out an HGV???? I can only assume the HGV was undriveable as it's indicator was cracked..............

 

[BTB 500]

A caravan takes out an HGV???? I can only assume the HGV was undriveable as it's indicator was cracked..............

No it bent a wheel arch into the tractor unit's front tyre

Mind you the caravan was taken away on a low loader.

 

[davidjpowell]

Those with the westphalia how does the wiring work? Is there a plug socket that folds? I can't see any decent images and am trying to work out what wiring kit needs to be ordered, if any...

 

[BTB 500]

Those with the westphalia how does the wiring work? Is there a plug socket that folds? I can't see any decent images and am trying to work out what wiring kit needs to be ordered, if any...

On the Vito there's a 13-pin socket mounted alongside the towbar socket. Both are hidden by a clip-on panel below the rear bumper when the hook is removed.

The Sharan had a swing-down bracket with the electrical socket on it.

 

[developer]

Detachable everytime - see how intrusive mine is

 

[davidjpowell]

Cheers chaps. Ordered. Now just to find a mobile fitter.

Stage 1 of my plan is nicely underway.....

 

[The Polisher]

mobile fitter, what about software download? No mobile fitter I know can do that and Merc dealers want arm and leg to do this!

 

[renault12ts]

mobile fitter, what about software download? No mobile fitter I know can do that and Merc dealers want arm and leg to do this!

It's going on a 210...not sure it's as sophisticated as that.