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Subject Topic: Reverse sensors with tow bar
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05/7/2016 at 7:41pm
 Location: notts
 Outfit: Caravan Lunar meteor
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I have a brand new Ford Focus 2016 with parking sensors.
I have been told i must have detachable tow bar and not a fixed one. Is this right? will it be a problem even if i am driving. Can anyone help


05/7/2016 at 7:54pm
 Location: Essex
 Outfit: Lunar Delta TS 2017
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I have a fixed tow bar and reverse park sensors, never had a problem yet. Whoever told you that is talking tosh.

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Claire and Colin





05/7/2016 at 8:14pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail
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I too have a fixed towbar and reversing sensors without any problems at all.

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Best Regards,
Colin


05/7/2016 at 8:21pm
 Location: West country
 Outfit: Mondeo
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Same with my Mondeo, no problem. However when reversing with the caravan on, the sensors bleeped continuously.

Maybe some will detect the tow ball but mine didn't. It didn't detect a 6 inch steel pipe buried in a grass verge either. Ouch!!!


05/7/2016 at 8:45pm
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 450
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My last three vehicles have had a fixed flanged towbar with rear reversing sensors and have had no problems.
However, when I started caravanning 10 years ago I was told exactly the same by a Vauxhall dealer so taking their advice had a detachable towbar fitted at twice the cost but like everything else, you gain knowledge and experience along the way.
The facts are (which I found out afterwards by a professional towbar fitter) that it's not the towball that interferes with the reversing sensors but where the 12 volt socket is mounted. As long as the socket is out of sight from the sensors it wont be detected.
Hope this answers your query.


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05/7/2016 at 9:11pm
 Location: S.Wales
 Outfit: Bailey Pageant Bordeaux
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Our Amarok and Isuzu D max both have reversing sensors and alko towbars. They both know when the caravan is hitched up and so don't scream at you when you're reversing whilst towing and don't scream at you.

Sounds like your dealer is talking rubbish

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Doing whatever the rice krispies tell me to.


05/7/2016 at 9:39pm
 Location: Ilkeston. Derbyshire
 Outfit: Disco 4 Unicorn Barcelona 4
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Discovery 3 same as above, fixed bar and switch of when trailer electrics connected.

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Cheers
Ray

Discovery 4 & Bailey Barcelona 4







06/7/2016 at 10:00pm
 Location: Essex
 Outfit: Fiat Ducato 3.0 Autotrail Mohican
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Sisters C Max has sensors and fixed towbar, no problems at all. My Pathfinder has no sensors but a really good camera, just saying


06/7/2016 at 10:16pm
 Location: West Sussex
 Outfit: None Entered
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Only time I have a problem with them going off is if the towball cover is on crooked. Put it on perfectly straight and all is fine.

P.S. I have a detachable which I leave on most of the time as I use a trailer a lot.



07/7/2016 at 8:15pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Swift charisma Skoda Scout 4x4
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No problems on the Yeti with twin electrics either


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22/7/2016 at 7:43pm
 Location: notts
 Outfit: Caravan Lunar meteor
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Just a update.

Had the fixed towbar on the new focus and no problems at all.


23/7/2016 at 3:05pm
 Location: Near Alton Towers
 Outfit: Bailey+Burgundy+S7+H
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Jobs a good 'un then.

Like many others I only have any trouble if my cover isn't straight or pointing slightly backwards, easily rectiified.

Dave

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Never argue with an idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you on experience.
Mark Twain.



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