I have just purchased a Kia Carens with a detachable tow bar, all the electrics are there etc, but no tow ball (the detachable bit).
The garage is "supposed" to be supplying me with one as the previous owners have failed to bring it into the garage and are now saying they have lost it.
In the meantime I'm stuck at home during the Easter period as I've no way of towing the caravan anywhere without the tow ball.
Can they be obtained cheapish from anywhere? I'm thinking of buying one and then sending the bill to the garage.
Look underneath car for a plate or sticker on towbar. Should give you make, model, product number of towbar. Then google around suppliers to see if they can source you the correct part.
It seems to be an odd thing to 'lose'. Have you had a good look in the car? It's surprising how many places there are in a car to hide the tow ball. On my last car I put it in the boot behind the right hand panel beside the jack, but I could have easily placed it on the left hand side or under either of the front seats.
I can't think why anyone would take it out of the car.
------------- Ollie
2016
Monplaisir - Provence
Camping Les Gorges du Loup
The people who traded the car in told the garage it was at home and they would drop it off at the weekend. They never did, so the garage rang them and they said they had lost it.
I'm thinking they have sold it.
I've looked on the plate and its a Tow Trust one, but the only price on the internet I can find is a full system and I only want the tow ball.
I'll keep checking the internet though and I've looked all over the car and cant find it.
The best thing you can do is phone Tow-Trust on 01827-717412 explain your dilemma and ask them if you can purchase just the detachable towball on it's own independent of the complete towbar. If they say no then you have your answer and will have to replace the whole towbar unit but if they say yes then you can arrange a price and delivery. Ask for a written receipt then bill it to the garage for reimbursement in due course.
I've got a spare Bosal one which I no longer need. I presume none of these are interchangeable, the Witter bar I have at the moment has a completely different arrangement to the Bosal one but I've never seen the Towtrust version.
If you get the opportunity to hook up your caravan to the car you can check the socket is working properly. If it is not then would a new tow bar be cheaper ? Certainly complain to the garage as the tow bar you were sold with the car was incomplete.
Quote: Originally posted by Rob and Tina on 04/4/2012
Shame it wasn't a witter as i have a spare.
I've got a spare Bosal one which I no longer need. I presume none of these are interchangeable, the Witter bar I have at the moment has a completely different arrangement to the Bosal one but I've never seen the Towtrust version.
If you click on the link and then play the short video clip it shows you what the Tow-Trust detachable towball design is like and how it locks into place. It probably isn't the same as a Witter or Bosal but at least you can have a look to see if they are identical.
Thanks for the link. The Towtrust one looks similar to the Witter one I use at the moment but there is no way you can be sure they are compatible without trying it yourself. I'm not sure I would want to risk using a towball that looks similar in case there is a problem later on.
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Topic: Detachable Tow Bar
