Changed the car to an older Picasso, I had a towbar fitted, and they put a swanneck on. When I queried it, was told that's for the car. I am going to need a 'protective deflector plate' but nowhere seems to stock them.
New to this so all the help needed. Also can I fit a 3 bike carrier on this, to use whilst the new (to me) caravan is on.
Usually you have a choice of towbars, detachable, swan neck or flange but you have to stipulate which one you want before it's fitted. If you wanted a deflector plate you should have asked for a flange towbar, I am pretty sure you can't fit a deflector plate on a swan neck, you could fit a gel protector to the bumper of the car to protect against bumps and scratches, I also think there may be a plate that you fit to the towbar, you just put it on whilst hitching up and then remove it before you drive off.
As for the bike rack it might be possible to use whilst towing if you have the right rack for the swan neck, I very much doubt you will have the nose weight to do that anyway as I am pretty sure that the caravan will use most if not all of the nose weight allowance.
As above there are clamp on plates, but i find they are not that secure and tend to move slightly over time.
Just take extra care when hitching, or use a cheap plastic chopping board when hitching and pop it into the boot when done.
You can get bike racks that fit onto the towball, but it depends on how many bikes.
You wont be able to carry a bike whilst hitched to the van though. You would have needed a flanged towbar for that. But as mentioned above you would likely exceed your noseweight limit.
Isnt your caravan way too heavy for a Picasso?
Max tow weight 1300kg for the car and the caravan weighs over 1400kg?
Isnt the noseweight low for that car also? around 50kg? Its a big van for a 50kg noseweight.
Do what I do for swan neck. Make a diy removable bash plate. Cut out a square of plywood then cut a notch in it to jamb over swan neck to protect bumper while hitching up & remove after use & keep in boot.
Car allows 70kg noseweight so you cannot carry bikes on towbar with caravan hitched up.
Sorry everyone, I got very mixed up, we no longer have the Bailey caravan. Getting another 'van in spring, but trying to get my head round all the 'bits' that will be needed before then. Many thanks for the messages and help
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Topic: Deflector plate?
