A bit of advice please. Our old car didn't have parking sensors, so it wasn't a probem, but how do you stop towbars causing problems with your parking sensors? Do detachable ones work? or do towbars not interfere with your sensors? We have a Mondeo TDCi btw.
------------- Anyone who says something is foolproof hasn't met a determined fool!
Our volvo has a removable tow bar and even when fitted the sensors dont sound, the car has a button to turn the sensors off while caravan attached to the car.
Our Saab is 'tow-bar prepped'. However, for the systems to work correctly, a proper dedicated wiring loom has to be fitted. This I did since buying the car last December (aint towed with it yet but will be doing so last week April) The kit includes the appropriate GM module which plugs into the Rear Electrical Centre. Due to the fitment of this loom etc, the car 'recognises' that a trailer is fitted and the ESP, TSP, ABS and the rear parking aid system all operate correctly for any conditions. The previous owner only had basic electrics (12N) fitted so I presume he only used the car to tow a small trailer down to the recycling depot. Seeing what I thought (incorrectly) was a 13 pin socket when we bought the car, I presumed the previous owner had towed a caravan. (that will teach me to be more observant - lol)When I looked later I was taken aback to find the basic stuff, including a Ryder pypass unit with bleeper. So I bought the kit from P F Jones in Sheffield (very helpful chaps) and I fitted it. When we bought the car, as part of the deal the sales exec had agreed that the Service Dept would, while carrying out the service and other checks, ensure that all systems for towing would be checked and/or programmed. Lost in translation, a visit later confirmed that this had not been done, even though the sales exec kept the car over the weekend prior to collection because "the Service Dept need more time to check the towbar". During that visit, one of their techies checked the car over and advised that when a dedicated loom and module are fitted the Saab system automatically adjusts all services when a trailer is plugged in and no programming is needed. I was more than happy to do the conversion myself for satisfaction of the wiring being done correctly.
Although I haven't towed the caravan with it yet, I have hooked it up and the rear parking bleeper is inoperative when the caravan is plugged in. Job's a good un.
I don't have a problem with reversing sensors when the towbar is fitted. There is a facility on my car to alter the sensor range for a towbar, but I've never bothered to change it as the towbar does not interfere.
When the caravan is attached, I rarely need to reverse, and can easily ignore the bleeping. There again I could switch them off.
We had a tow bar fitted when we collected our car, and when we have a trailer, even a small one hitched, the display in the car says that the system is disabled. Then when removed, it is reenabled.
We had a tow bar fitted when we collected our car, and when we have a trailer, even a small one hitched, the display in the car says that the system is disabled. Then when removed, it is re enabled
exactly same as mine minute you put the plug into the socket for the caravan and put the car in reverse its comes up on the screen "trailer attached".Its got nothing to do with the towbar itself but with the wiring of the plug socket as the wiring loom has been computirise into the car system
Also got a mondeo tdci , had tow bar fitted and the guy put in a little device which reduced the sensitivity of the sensors..no problems and works just fine..
Freeatlast,
Just noticed you have a ASX. We have just bought one and are thinking about fitting a tow bar. Did you fit yours yourself? If so, was it reasonably straight forward?
I have fitted a couple before on previous cars, but have never done the electrics myself. Now they are on dedicated looms, thought I'd have a go.
Thanks,
Fred.
Yes, I always fit my own, and the ASX was very easy. I fitted a detachable one from Hedleys in Durham. They had them on eBay. Once removed you cannot tell a towbar is fitted. You MUST get the proper wiring loom from Mitsu. It plugs in the boot, though you need to punch a hole through the back panel. Think that is now done for you. Another small loom plugs in under the bonnet and connects via fuses to the battery. You can't go wrong, and it does not need the ECU reprogramming. Neither will it affect any warranty.
Towed our caravan over 300 miles today, almost all in 6th gear, at just below 60mph. Averaged just over 35mpg with a slight head wind.
Incidentally, we used to have a Pathfinder. One day I had the most horrendous snake with no warning at just under 60mph. It was a bit nose light, but I'm convinced the real problem was the flimsy tyres. Just try pushing yours sideways whilst parked, and watch the tyres flex. Fit a decent pair of C rated tyres, it might save a nasty accident. Incidentally, I've over 30 years experience of towing, and never had anything like this before or since.
Quote: Originally posted by freeatlast on 27/3/2013Yes, I always fit my own, and the ASX was very easy. I fitted a detachable one from Hedleys in Durham. They had them on eBay. Once removed you cannot tell a towbar is fitted. You MUST get the proper wiring loom from Mitsu. It plugs in the boot, though you need to punch a hole through the back panel. Think that is now done for you. Another small loom plugs in under the bonnet and connects via fuses to the battery. You can't go wrong, and it does not need the ECU reprogramming. Neither will it affect any warranty.
Towed our caravan over 300 miles today, almost all in 6th gear, at just below 60mph. Averaged just over 35mpg with a slight head wind.
Incidentally, we used to have a Pathfinder. One day I had the most horrendous snake with no warning at just under 60mph. It was a bit nose light, but I'm convinced the real problem was the flimsy tyres. Just try pushing yours sideways whilst parked, and watch the tyres flex. Fit a decent pair of C rated tyres, it might save a nasty accident. Incidentally, I've over 30 years experience of towing, and never had anything like this before or since.
That is very interesting. A few years ago, I bought a Pathfinder. I collected it from Southampton, and en route back home to Oxford while passing a tanker on the M3 at just under 60 mph, there was a nasty snake starting which, I thought, would have developed had I not eased off pronto. I eventually got by and put it down to, perhaps, some sort of bow wave emanating from such a vehicle. Once home, I unloaded the unit (I had bought it complete with everything except food and bedding - the poor bloke had lost his storage space, nowhere to park it, and was going through a house move) and put the snake down to perhaps the way it had been loaded.
Now I am beginning to think you have got something there, as it never really felt 'planted' behind our Rover 45 TDi, which should have been man enough for it. (Even though the Rover had a limit of 1000kg, I feel this was due to chassis design and not kerbweight)
So good advice to upgrade the tyres on these units, which otherwise are simply amazing. Only the potential pain of drying it out if taken down when wet made us sell it, as I was still working then and would not have had the time to erect it again after a trip.
Quote: Originally posted by Greendemon315 on 23/3/2013
Mine don't sound, but I can turn them off anyway.
Jim
Yep mine too, the towing gubbins are well out of the way of the sensors in solo mode but can switch sensing off on the dashboard because it senses the van when reversing.
Quote: Originally posted by Grampian91 on 23/3/2013
Just the towbar itself no issues, What maybe an issue is the wiring socket.
With that sticking off the side of the flange it may be in the range of the sensor.
Otherwise even a fixed flange towbar should be OK.
This is fact and quite true that it's the actual electrical socket that will interfere with reversing sensors if anything. When I started caravanning over 7 years ago the garage who fitted my towbar ripped me off for another £200 for a detachable towbar as I was told that a fixed towbar would interfere with the rear parking sensors. The last 3 cars I have had have all had reversing sensors and a fixed towbar fitted with no problem, I just had to tell the towbar fitter to locate the twin sockets underneath which has always worked. I found this information out through this forum which the advice given back then was absolutely right.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Parking sensors and towbars
