I have a Volvo V70, 2000 vintage, which has reversing sensors. I have a fixed towbar and tow ball, and it doesn't affect the sensors at all. However, the warning does sound when I reverse with the caravan attached, so when the towbar was fitted they apparently didn't include a cut-out.
Quote: Originally posted by Colin21 on 30/1/2016I have a Volvo V70, 2000 vintage, which has reversing sensors. I have a fixed towbar and tow ball, and it doesn't affect the sensors at all. However, the warning does sound when I reverse with the caravan attached, so when the towbar was fitted they apparently didn't include a cut-out.
Exactly the same here with my Volvo V50. However, It's where the towing socket is fitted you have to beware of that may be detected by the sensors so make sure the socket is fitted accordingly. On my fixed towbar the towing socket bracket is bolted to the near side of the towbar under the bumper.
With a dedicated loom and a trip to the dealers they should be able to disable the reverse sensors when towing.
The towbar itself should be fine even with a fixed flange towbar. but care needs to be taken with the electrical sockets.
Its more likely to pick those up than the towbar itself.
Had a detachable and a fixed towbar and neither caused any problems with the reverse sensors. The tow bars were on a Santa Fe and the current car a Sorento.
Quote: Originally posted by ENOCH on 31/1/2016
Had a detachable and a fixed towbar and neither caused any problems with the reverse sensors. The tow bars were on a Santa Fe and the current car a Sorento.
Hi
Recently purchased a Ford Kuga with the detachable towball fitted, the towball looks as if it's never been removed since being fitted (removed now thanks to loads of WD40) drove it around a couple of days with ball attached with no problem setting sensors off
To add to my first post. I also have a stainless steel bumper protection plate fitted behind my fixed towball for when hitching up and this doesn't affect the reversing sensors either.
Neither my jeep nor my outlander sounds the sensors with the towbar attached. My jeep had a cut out to stop the reversing sensor with the caravan hitched but the outlander does not, however the outlander has a switch to disarm the sensors. I fitted both cars electrics and the outlander kit didn't have the facility to cut the sensors.
With a modern car/electronics, it should be possible to adjust the sensitivity of the sensors to allow for a towbar being fitted. If not the towbar fitter, then certainly a dealer should be able to do the necessary.
My 2010 Mondeo estate has a fixed swan neck and twin electrics and doesn't pick up the towbar. It will pick up the caravan when reversing but this can easily be turned off by the button on the dash.
Yeah am not bothered about when the van is on as would only be reversing for short periods and as you say just switch it off so as long as they don't set it off during everyday use I think I will go for the cheaper fixed option
I have just had a Witter flanged detachable towbar with dedicated electrics fitted to my Honda CR-V. I have a MaxxRaxx bike rack bracket and a protector plate fitted behind the Alko ball. The reversing sensors DEFINATELY pick it up! I have removed the protector plate as it made the detached assembly awkward to stow, but I think the MaxxRaxx bracket would be picked up anyway. With the towball assembly removed and the electric socket swung up under the bumper the towbar becomes invisible, very neat!
Yes, a fixed Witter with generic electrics would have been much cheaper, but I think modern car electronics deserve a dedicated wiring kit and I am really pleased with my "disappearing" towbar.
As an aside, a Honda dealer fit swan neck bar with 13 pin socket and a 12volt caravan feed was £100 more!
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Topic: Parking Sensors
