Westfalia 317132600001 Verticle Detachable Towbar

Product Information

When vehicles with a trailer hitch are damaged at the rear it is likely that the towbar has also been damaged through overloading. This can often be detected by a permanent deformation to the towbar. Other signs that indicate damage include surface damage, unusual notches or distortions in the attachment area or in towbars with a detachable towball too much free play of the removable part.

We inspect towbars that are sent to us using a special reference gauge. If the dimensions of the towbar are no longer within the reference gauge, you can assume that the towbar has been damaged by overloading. It is not permissible to use a damaged towbar. While detachable/retractable towbars do provide a discrete appearance, their added complexity may potentially cause you issues in the future. However, don’t think motorised retractable towballs are the reserve of only top-end BMWs and Range Rovers.However, proper maintenance and servicing will reduce any potential reliability issues. Hence, always read the instructions.

Now, arguably fitting a bumper protector plate with a bolt-on towball makes an ‘ugly’ towbar even uglier. The Westfalia Automotive Detachable TowBar is one of the most popular towing systems on the market and is catered towards more high-end vehicles due to its removable operation.When you have finished with the Master Key Set please return it to your local Westfalia Fitting Partner or send it directly to us. Besides being the cheapest option, there is another benefit of fixed towbars over detachable or retractable options, simplicity. I also have a post on what I think are the best cars for towing a caravan, considering the pros and cons of diesel vs petrol etc.

Whether you choose to opt for a fixed, detachable or retractable towbar for your car, once its been fitted, you need to condition it before its used to tow your caravan. With added convenience/ease of use for such a discrete towbar with the use of electric motors/hinges, there are more components to potentially fail at some point.The assembly and operating instructions of the towbar are to be included with the other vehicle papers. These serve as the Operating Licence during the general vehicle inspection. Additional expert opinions are not required for towbars not subject to design approval but are accepted on a case by case basis. Finally, there is the benefit that you don’t have to find the space in your car to store the towball, as is the case with a detachable towbar. We are pleased to send you a new type plate as soon as we receive from a garage a Statement under oath, which includes the identity of the towbar. The German Federal Office of Automobiles has taken the decision that the delivery of type plates directly to the vehicle owner is no longer permitted.