Sometimes you need to carry a load, but your car just doesn’t have a towbar. To get you on the road as quickly as possible, you need to know all you can about the two types of removable towbars. There are three types that we highly recommend, each with their specific uses.
Swan Neck Towbar
Two of these types are called ‘Swan Neck’ towbars which can be either the vertical or the horizontal kind, with the most common being the vertical type. The third kind is called a Detachable Flange Towbar which is the most popular of all types.
Vertical Swan Neck Towbar
Vertical Swan Neck towbars come with an apparatus that is attached behind your bumper and is obscured from vision when the Swan Neck is removed.
Pros and Cons of the Vertical Swan Neck Towbar
Pros:
- The neck is removable when not in use
- Removable neck doesn’t interfere with parking sensors
- Slim design
- Very easy to use
- AL-CO stabiliser compatibility
- Retractable electric sockets that have 7 or 13 pin socket electrics (with most vehicles)
- Lock included with a key so the tow bar doesn’t go missing
Cons:
- Much more costly than installing a fixed bar
- Can’t use a cycle carrier whilst simultaneously towing
- Bumper protectors cannot be used
- Not all bike racks are compatible
- Can’t fit drop plates, couplings or rear steps
Horizontal Swan Neck Towbar
Some vehicles will simply not be able to cater for a Vertical Swan Neck towbar. This is mainly because there is not enough space behind the bumper to fit the apparatus the neck must attach to. To solve this issue, the horizontal Swan Neck towbar will work fine.
Pros and Cons of the Horizontal Swan Neck Towbar
Pros:
- The neck is removable when not in use
- Removable neck doesn’t interfere with parking sensors
- Slim design
- Very easy to use
- AL-CO stabiliser compatibility
- Lock included with a key and a key bag to ensure the tow bar doesn’t go missing
Cons:
- Visible when the neck is detached
- Unretractable electrics
- Much more costly than installing a fixed bar
- Can’t use a cycle carrier whilst simultaneously towing
- Bumper protectors cannot be used
- Not all bike racks are compatible
- Can’t fit drop plates, couplings or rear steps
Detachable Flange Towbar
The third type of removable towbar is called the Detachable Flange Towbar. The plate that the Flange Towbar is attached to will always be visible even when you take the towbar off and is, therefore, the least expensive option because a lot of people dislike the look of it. While it is the least expensive, it is the most versatile when it comes to towing capabilities. Flange Towbars are bolted to a flange plate with to your bumper. The flange plate will be permanently attached to the vehicle if you decide to get one.
If you are mainly going to be pulling lighter loads (up to 1250kg) we recommend a 50mm towbar that has a bolt-on tongue will be perfect. If you are carrying heavier load than 1250kg then we recommend using a hitch receiver.
Pros and Cons of the Detachable Flange Towbar
Pros:
- Most versatile of all three options
- Neck can be removed when not in use
- Removable neck doesn’t interfere with parking sensors
- AL-CO ball possible to fit
- Bumper protector can be used as well as other accessories like drop plates and rear steps
- Can use a cycle carrier while towing simultaneously
- Able to fit different types of tow balls
Cons
- The least cheap option
- Quite bulky
- Your parking sensor might give you false alerts when reversing
Now that you know the exact type of towbar you need, you can get back on the road. It’s important to do your research when it comes to picking the right towbar for your vehicle as installing the wrong one will not only be costly, but potentially disastrous.