Tow Bar Fitting Information

Types of Tow Bar

Fixed Flange Ball

The style of towbar is where you have a Fixed Flange Ball bolted to the neck of the towbar with two M16 24mm bolts.

• Versatile.
• Can be used with a bumper shield.
• Usually the Cheapest option.
• Fits cycle carriers that bolt behind the ball as well as those that clamp onto the ball. So you can carry bikes and tow a trailer / caravan at the same time.
• Can be used with blade style stabilisers.
• A choice of towballs, jaws, universal couplings and accessories can be fitted.

• Can be bulky and unsightly.
• Likely to be picked up by Parking Sensors.
• You will require an extended towball if you wish to use an AL-KO stabaliser.

Detachable Flange Ball

This style of towbar offers all the versatility of a fixed flange bar whilst leaving very little if anything of the towbar visible when detached.

• All the versatility of a fixed flange ball.
• Fits cycle carriers that bolt behind the ball as well as those that clamp onto the ball so you can carry bikes and tow a trailer / caravan at the same time.
• Removable when not in use.
• Parking Sensors will not be activated when towball removed.
• Can be used with blade style stabilisers.
• A choice of towballs, jaws, universal couplings and accessories can be fitted.
• Includes an extended towball (e.g. for use with an AL-KO stabaliser).

• More expensive.
• Can be bulky and unsightly when neck fitted.

Fixed Swan Neck

The swan neck style towbar is where the towball is part of the neck of the towbar, this type of bar looks tidier on the vehicle but is not as versatile.

• Better looking compact design.
• Compatible with AL-KO stabilisers.
• Less likely to trigger parking sensors.

• Cannot be fitted with a bumper shield.
• Only compatible with bike racks that clamp onto the ball.
• No other towing couplings or accessories can be fitted.

Detachable Swan Neck

The detachable tow bar looks similar to the swan neck bar when fitted to the vehicle however when not in use the neck of the bar can be unclipped leaving very little or nothing visible when detached.

• Better looking compact design.
• Removable when not in use.
• Compatible with AL-KO stabilisers.
• Parking Sensors will not be activated when towball removed.
• Appearance of the car can be unaffected when neck removed.

• More Expensive.
• Cannot be fitted with bumper shield.
• Only compatible with bike racks that clamp onto the ball.
• No other towing couplings or accessories can be fitted.

Retractable

The towball on a retractable towbar disappears behind the bumper when not in use but remains accessible at all times.

• Towball simply folds up behind bumper out of sight when not in use.
• The electrical socket is also retractable so that the entire unit vanishes from view.
• The towbar is always ready for use.
• Parking Sensors will not be activated when towball retracted.
• Compatible with AL-KO stabilisers.

• Higher cost.
• Only compatible with bike racks that clamp onto the ball.
• Cannot be fitted with bumper shield.
• No other towing couplings or accessories can be fitted.
• Limited range available.