Hi all, I have a Westfalia removable towbar fitted on my Superb, I beleive it to be what is supplied to Skoda that they sell as there own removable towbar. I have been towing my caravan recently and noticed a knock every time I brake or pull away, there is slight (and i mean slight) movement when its fitted and I've been told by a caravan expert that its to be expected with removable towbars. I know its not a problem with my caravan as my brother has tow it with his fix towbar and there was no knocking felt. I was wondering if anyone else had experienced that same thing and if it caused any long tern damage to the towbar. Many Thanks Bryan payne

Given the pulling around that a towbar gets, it's not surprising. I tow a heavy 2 axle trailer and avoided a removable towbar for this reason - instead I bought a Bosal fixed towbar for a B5.5 Passat very cheaply (new) on eBay. Perfect fit, works like a dream. As the Superb is such a sod to park, it's useful having it there all the time.

The (diesel) Superb does make an excellent towcar though.

rotodiesel.

There should be NO movement on a detachable towbar. If there is play, its unsafe and should not be used. I'd take it to a local towbar centre and ask for there advice.

I have yet to see one without free play when really pulled around hard. If it were "preloaded" tight (eg tensioned with nuts and bolts) you would need tools to remove it.

rotodiesel.

I have a Bosal detachable on mine. And when the towball clamps in, it has no movement. Even with a 970kg Caravan on the back, it does not move at all. The instructions for my tow bar say that if there is ANY movement when it's attached to the car, then seek advice and do not use.

I personally would not tow, if the ball was moving. To me, it's unsafe, but as I said, the advice of a tow bar centre should be able to clarify.

Im just erring on the side of caution....

I have yet to see one without free play when really pulled around hard. If it were "preloaded" tight (eg tensioned with nuts and bolts) you would need tools to remove it.

rotodiesel.

Totally agree with you, my towbar unlike most detachables is an auto lock system that pushes vertically up into main towbar hole and when triggered 3 ball bearings are locked into a grove which locks it in to place, The Germans are good but i dont think even they can engineer something that works like this to be totally tight, As for the the Bosal towbar, yes I beleive you get no movment at all but with the clamping mechanism it has it has to illiminate all movemnet because your pulling in the direction the towball is attached where as mine is like a U shape so the mechanism only has to take 75kg of weight and the towball takes all the stain. I have been assured it to be expected of this type of towbar just wondered if anyone else had experienc of it. Thanks for your replies Bryan P

Hi all again, For piece of mind I e-mailed Westfalia direct and got a reply, its in pigeon english but they said

" Dear Mr. Payne,

a little bit clearance between the detachable ball bar and the receiver tube is normal. In some cases, for example a raod hole or a bump, you can hear

this play between the two parts.

When you care all safety directions in the mouting instruction and take off the key out of the lock nothing could happened.

Mit freundlichen Gruessen / With kind regards

i.V.

Ruediger Niemann"

at least now I have Westfalia telling me its nothing to worry about