We had a nightmare break in Norfolk, at least we were not towing when we had a close encounter with a combine harvester, our car came off worst in this one and was written off. Luckily we are both well and now home, have a new car which needs a tow bar. Previously we had a fixed tow bar and the accompanying bruises on shins and kneecaps that go with these. We are thinking of getting a retractable tow bar that tucks itself away underneath when not in use, these are a bit pricey. Has anyone on here experience of these? Do you like them, are they worth the money?

We've had all 3 types, fixed, removable and swing away,you already know the pitfalls of fixed, the swing away is the most convenient but it is prone to rust once you remove the paint unless you protect it somehow but very neat and tidy, the removable has the drawback of having to squat down to put it or off, not so good when the knees get old and creaky but again very neat and tidy. overall we find the swing away best and easiest to use as long as the ball is protected from the elements somehow.
Dave

Yes, Randa it was a bit ouch!!! So much help and support from so many kind people was a silver lining on this one and luckily we are now home and thinking about a new tow hitch so we can go out and about again

Like you, Colin, we have the retractable factory fitted tow-bar.
I've used your tip regarding smearing the ball lightly with grease during the winter months.
Before doing that I protect the ball with electricians tape which I wrap very tightly leaving no exposed areas. The moving parts I've given a quick spray with silicone lubricant.
The 13 pin dedicated vehicle electrics harness is very handy whilst once connected, the driver is kept informed of any problems with the caravan or cars
electrics through the infortainment system. Wife loves it as she no longer has to stand at the rear of the caravan whilst we check to see that everything is working with the lights.
I think my second choice for a tow bar would be one that's fixed, think it all depends on the shape of the vehicle and use.

Cruickie

The retractable is the bees' knees. I note the disadvantages of a fixed lowball but quite honestly with a bit of care they are overcomable. The removable swan kneck sounds good but is the worst case scenario in my opinion. If you hitch in the dark forget it. Grovelling about underneath the car on a muddy pitch in the pouring rain is no fun. In fact grovelling about the runway is no fun either. Having had all three if you cannot have the swing back I would go for fixed.

Stewart

Hi Eribee

We all have the bruises to show for non-retractable ones.

We currently have a clever factory fitted retractable one on our Skoda Karoq Scout that came with the car. It really is great but as Colin says it is prone to rust on the ball even with the cover on.

Before that we paid to have the removable one factory fitted on our Skoda Octavia Scout. I tend to agree with Stewart above that it was a pain in various parts of the body. When we collected it from the dealer I couldn't detach it at all. The mechanic came out to show us and cut his hand trying to get it off. He finally got it off but I had these visions of me kneeling down in the rain covering myself in blood taking it off and putting it back on.

I did take it off a couple of times but decided it was safer to my health to leave it on as if it was a permanent one. Yes I got some bruised shins but no more blood was shed. I wouldn't recommend one unless you are young, fit, active and have strong hands.

Good luck

MikeT

We have the same on our Audi, however I always forget (or I'm too lazy??) to remove it. Doh

Dave

We had a removable tow bar factory fitted on our Honda. It was always a pain to fit and remove. Finally it wouldn’t fit at all. A mechanic at Honda finally fitted it but advised us that it was never coming off again. We’ve had it checked independent of Honda and now have a FITTED tow bar.

I have had a few detachables on all my cars over the years, however in hindsight the Vitara and Duster would have been best fixed as they were very close to the car. The Suzuki Jimny needed to be detachable due to it sticking so far out to pass the spare wheel on the tail gate.
Detachables are great for aesthetics but they can be a pain to fit, especially when it's chucking it down, plus it's just another thing to worry about whilst hitching up.

I had a detachable one fitted where the socket was horizontal rather than facing downwards. Think it was a Witter. This was very easy to use as you could see where you needed to stick it. Their quick release was also very easy. The types that you have to unscrew, then fit the ball to the socket from underneath, then screw up again just looked like a bit of a faff. The last two I have had however have been fixed swan neck type. I would always choose a swan neck over a flange type for a fixed one.