Please can you help
We have changed our car this has a removable tow ball. We have been shown ow to attach it but wondered why there are keys .
Our local dealer said we don't need the keys??
What happens when we go away do we need to remove this bracket while we are away then reattach when we leave or can we just leave the tow ball on untill we return .
I think we may have problems with this.
Any helps please.
Unfortunately there are thieves that could steal it, so the keys mean that the towball is locked and secure. I take mine off so I don't continually knock into it when loading the boot with shopping etc, but i'm naturally clumsy. At a £100-odd each to replace, it could be a silly mistake not to lock it and have it pinched.
Think i've read that right, but apologies if my advice is useless.
------------- 2019: Hurn Lane CAMC, Cirencester Park CAMC & Lytton Lawn
Quote: Originally posted by littlejack40 on 17/6/2012
Hi
The key lock presumably also reduces the likelyhood of the towball unclipping itself whilst in use.
The key for the lock is not designed to stop unclipping itself, it is to stop the towball disappearing when not in use, it seems there is a very good market for secondhand towballs on auction sites, it is surprising how some sellers describe them as "no longer required as I have sold the car" then you look at the feedback and find they must have owned half a dozen Disco 4's
Not at all. Had a Witter one installed, and clips in with a little shove, and a guide that goes green if installed correctly. Little heavy, but they are designed to pull upwards of 1.5 tonnes, even if I just use mine for a bike rack.
------------- 2019: Hurn Lane CAMC, Cirencester Park CAMC & Lytton Lawn
On my westfalia you cannot remove the locking key if the tow ball is not securely attached to the car. This serves as confirmation that all is ok.
Simon
When you consider how little time you use the car for towing a removable tow ball makes sense. I found it a little difficult to get it locked in place at first and a bit sceptical it would hold, but after a few uses soon got used to it. Think they are great and make the car look neat. I always remove it when on site and when not in use.
I generally leave the bar attached while we are away, but then remove it when we get home. I always lock the bar in place as not only could the bar be stolen, but also if you have to stop at a services, unhooking the bar would allow someone to take your van & low load it even if you have an alko (or other) hitchlock in place.
If you do remove the bar always ensure that you use the blanking cover as without dirt & grime can get into the mechanism.
As an aside I have heard (although I can't remember where or if there is any truth in the fact), that if you have a removable towbar in place in France while not towing that you can be liable for extra damage caused if anyone hits you, although that hardly seams fair....
On our westfalia removeable towbar as said above you can only lock it when correctly attached. When locked it also prevents it becomming detached unintentionally. It is part of westfalias instructions opf how to install it. Also it performs the function of the towball not being able to be detached without some form of tool (ie key) which in turn allows you to hoop the chain over it on an unbraked trailer rather than attach it to another point on the car.
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Topic: Removable tow ball
