Fixed vs detachable towbar - limitations?

Hi all.

Thinking about a towbar for my Jim. Mainly for occasional towing, but would be nice to be able to attach a bike carrier and similar from time to time. I believe that if I get a detachable swan neck bar, I wouldn't be able to mount bike carriers etc. But if I get a detachable bar I wont trip over the towball all the time, and I won't get done by anpr cameras for a partially obscured numberplate. Am I right?

Are there any other differences between fixed and remobeavle towbars? Which is "better" / more useful, and why?

Cheers.

I'm fairly sure you can get bike carriers for swan neck types too- some only clamp to the ball so would work with any tow bar. I have a Tow Trust fixed towbar, but it's only 'fixed' by 2 bolts so it could be removed in 5 minutes with a spanner (I mounted the socket to the bumper recess for this reason). I don't find I trip over it all the time, but then I've always had them on cars so maybe I'm used to it. I drive through the same set of ANPR cameras a few times a week and I've yet to have a nasty letter! You could always re-locate the number plate to the middle of the spare wheel, though.

Most of us in Australia use a Hayman Reese Hitch.

They have a removable tongue 50mm x 50mm which you affix a towball to. You can also insert a tongue with recovery hitch for towing and there are tongues with adjustable height facility as well as load-sharing and sway-control devices. Probably fitted to 90% of vehicles here.

This is my car with the collapsible Locking bike carrier in place on towball.

Never had any issues with mine over the last two years since fitting hth ................

... and, of course, if you also put a Hayman Reese hitch at the front of the vehicle then you can use a Hitch Cradle with a winch mounted on it to mount either front or rear for best recovery options!



Not my car this time.

I use a tow-trust towbar with a drop plate.