
Insurance Discount Campsite Offers All offers UK Sites French Sites European Sites Map Search Text Search Near your Location Popular Searches Leave a Review My Saved Sites Add a New Site All Sections Caravanning Camping Tent Talk Motorhomes Trailer Tents Backpacking Equipment Statics UK Campsites Camping Abroad General Chat News More Sections Latest Posts All Adverts Tents for Sale Caravans for Sale Motorhomes for Sale Equipment for Sale Post an Advert Campsite Jobs All Categories Caravanning Advice Caravan Equipment Tents and Camping Motorhomes Towing and Towcars Equipment Furniture and Cooking Electrical / Gas Shows and Events General More Categories Join for Free Log In

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Caravans and Caravanning - Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice

Topic: Towbar for Ford Focus Estate 2010

Post Reply

bt1609

22/9/2013 at 8:31pm
Location: bucks
Outfit: Lunar Quasar 462

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 25/3/2009

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 61

Site Reviews Total:	1

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

Hi,
Has anyone put a towbar on this model. I went to the local ford dealer who weren't that helpful about putting the towbar on with regards to the reversing sensors, although they did manage to tell me that they were dealer rather than factory fitted, and would probably be ok but still don't know exactly what I'm going to need.

Dealer did refer me to a towbar specialist but I wanted to have a better idea of what I need as I'm getting increasingly confused at the moment. My dad's had towbars on his cars for years but never had reversing sensors on them.

Another towbar place just said I needed a removable towbar and that the sensors would just go off (in reverse) if the towbar is on, however as I'm going to be a novice tower the reversing sensors going mental every time I reverse won't be that helpful.

NB I have towed and reversed a trailer with a quad bike quite a lot over the last few years but never a car and caravan.

Thanks

Grampian91

22/9/2013 at 8:50pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 6898

Site Reviews Total:	2

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

They will usually tell you to have a detachable or a swan neck towbar.

But that just covers them. Usually a standard flanged towbar will be fine. The electrical socket may need to be fitted at an angle though.

Thats going to stick out more than the towbar itself.

If you have stability control and bulb failures monitor then the dealer will probably need to program it.

Lots of dealers will farm out the fitting to another towbar fitter. So your dealer fitted towbar maybe the local fitter but dearer.

VangoMan02

23/9/2013 at 10:27am
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 18/5/2007

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 3531
Tent Reviews: 7

Site Reviews Total:	21

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

I have recently had a Swan neck towbar fitted to my 2010 Ford Focus tdci 5 door h/back.
My only issue is with sensors bleeping when reversing to hook up the caravan, drives me crazy and don't have a switch to shut it off as some cars do.

I don't have any issues when using car solo and towbar was fitted by local towbar company.

-------------
It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.

Grampian91

23/9/2013 at 3:33pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 6898

Site Reviews Total:	2

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

If you used the correct dedicated kit the dealer can program the system to disable the reverse sensors and fog lights when towing.

VangoMan02

23/9/2013 at 6:43pm
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 18/5/2007

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 3531
Tent Reviews: 7

Site Reviews Total:	21

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

Quote: Originally posted by Grampian91 on 23/9/2013If you used the correct dedicated kit the dealer can program the system to disable the reverse sensors and fog lights when towing.

I thought about doing that until I saw the price, the bypass kit works fine and I can put up with the ??%%$$ bleeping

-------------
It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.

Grampian91

23/9/2013 at 8:51pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 6898

Site Reviews Total:	2

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

Ahh but at what price does one put on beeping? :)

Main dealers obviously only heard the rumour that silence is golden and charge a hefty lump of gold to tell your sensors to shut up. :)

In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice - Top of Page

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

Upcoming Event

Elvaston Steam Rally 2026 03/07 to 06/07

Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.

5771 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums] [Caravan Sites & Camping] [Company Listings] [Features / Advice] [Virtual Brochure] [Special Offers]
[Reception] [Competitions] [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] [Event Diary] [Tent Reviews]

[Contact Us]

Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2026