Towbar advice

ozfish1969 · 6th October 2015, 18:07

My ZT-T which I bought last week has a detachable swan neck tow bar fitted.

My caravan has a Alko AKS 2004 hitch head.

The question is will the towbar give enough clearance between the hitch head and rear bumper.

I ask as I had to change the tow ball on my 4x4 for a alko one (i.e it protruded further out) so it would not foul the bumper.

The simple answer would be to match them up but as the caravan is stored some distance away its a bit of a trip just to see.

Anyone have any advice?

Regards.

KWIL · 6th October 2015, 18:28

My detachable towbar on a 75 Tourer is more than sufficient clearance for all the hitches I have used. Towbar was Rover Dealer supplied as new.

TR75 · 9th October 2015, 19:18

I have an OEM detachable swan neck and our al-ko coupling head on our caravan fits it just fine.

One issue I do find however is that I have to ask the other half to move the car forward whenever we unhitch within a few seconds otherwise the head sinks into the bumper where the damper releases itself and the head moves out.

reworht · 12th October 2015, 16:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by TR75

I have an OEM detachable swan neck and our al-ko coupling head on our caravan fits it just fine.

One issue I do find however is that I have to ask the other half to move the car forward whenever we unhitch within a few seconds otherwise the head sinks into the bumper where the damper releases itself and the head moves out.

If you find a solution to this problem - please let me know, as I have exactly the same one.
I wonder if driving the car forward a few inches before unhitching would help - that way the drawbar would already be extended?

RPWC · 12th October 2015, 17:20

Fixed flange towbar with bumper protector. That's what I have on mine,if you have the fixed flange type, it offers protection to the rear anyway

RPWC · 12th October 2015, 17:27

Fixed flange towbar with bumper protector. That's what I have on mine,if you have the fixed flange type, it offers protection to the rear anyway or get one of these

reworht · 13th October 2015, 12:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPWC

Fixed flange towbar with bumper protector. That's what I have on mine,if you have the fixed flange type, it offers protection to the rear anyway

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPWC

Fixed flange towbar with bumper protector. That's what I have on mine,if you have the fixed flange type, it offers protection to the rear anyway or get one of these

I've got the usual protector plate Richard - but the force of the drawbar extending itself can bend even that. I'll be interested to see if the 'pull it forward a few inches' theory has any value

TR75 · 12th October 2015, 21:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by reworht

If you find a solution to this problem - please let me know, as I have exactly the same one.
I wonder if driving the car forward a few inches before unhitching would help - that way the drawbar would already be extended?

That's a very good idea. I haven't considered whether this happens only when I reverse the caravan in or whether it happens when pulling up forward also.

We're hoping to go away this weekend so will have a play and let you know how I get on.

6th October 2015, 18:07	#1
ozfish1969 Regular poster MG ZT-T Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Luton Posts: 57 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Towbar advice My ZT-T which I bought last week has a detachable swan neck tow bar fitted. My caravan has a Alko AKS 2004 hitch head. The question is will the towbar give enough clearance between the hitch head and rear bumper. I ask as I had to change the tow ball on my 4x4 for a alko one (i.e it protruded further out) so it would not foul the bumper. The simple answer would be to match them up but as the caravan is stored some distance away its a bit of a trip just to see. Anyone have any advice? Regards.

9th October 2015, 19:18	#3
TR75 Posted a thing or two Rover 75 CDT Connoisseur SE Auto Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Launceston Posts: 1,567 Thanks: 169 Thanked 166 Times in 134 Posts	I have an OEM detachable swan neck and our al-ko coupling head on our caravan fits it just fine. One issue I do find however is that I have to ask the other half to move the car forward whenever we unhitch within a few seconds otherwise the head sinks into the bumper where the damper releases itself and the head moves out. __________________ You've just been ROVERtaken

12th October 2015, 17:20	#5
RPWC This is my second home 75 model car Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne Posts: 20,196 Thanks: 4,008 Thanked 5,083 Times in 3,114 Posts	Fixed flange towbar with bumper protector. That's what I have on mine,if you have the fixed flange type, it offers protection to the rear anyway __________________ Cheers. Rich…

12th October 2015, 17:27	#6
RPWC This is my second home 75 model car Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne Posts: 20,196 Thanks: 4,008 Thanked 5,083 Times in 3,114 Posts	Fixed flange towbar with bumper protector. That's what I have on mine,if you have the fixed flange type, it offers protection to the rear anyway or get one of these __________________ Cheers. Rich…

6th October 2015, 18:28	#2
KWIL Precise Rover 75 Tourer 2.5KV6 Connoisseur SE Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Fleet Posts: 2,965 Thanks: 630 Thanked 617 Times in 480 Posts	My detachable towbar on a 75 Tourer is more than sufficient clearance for all the hitches I have used. Towbar was Rover Dealer supplied as new.