Anyone Recognise This Xantia Towbar?

XantiaExclusiveHDI · Unread post by **XantiaExclusiveHDI** » 20 Apr 2010, 10:39

I've been offered this Towbar for my Xantia - however they don't know the manufacturer as it has been off the car for a while. Just wondered if anyone might recognise who it might be?

Thanks!

Unread post by **Duracell** » 20 Apr 2010, 12:03

I cant help you with the maker but it looks similar to the bar fitted to my Xantia - I'm not overkeen on the fixing to the boot floor as its fairly flimsey at that point and the center bar also stops the spare from sitting fully up in its cradle leaving it visible below the bumper. I've not towed anything bigger than a dinghy trailer so can't comment much further HTH

Regards

Richard

citronut · Unread post by **citronut** » 20 Apr 2010, 13:03

i would say that aint a XANT tow bar at all, unless that centre fixing bolts to the spare wheel,

all the XANT bars i have seen the main fixing points are at each side, and smaller fixings on the back panle

regards malcolm

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 20 Apr 2010, 16:35

Yep,

I'd agree Malcolm. There'd be no room for the spare wheel.

The nearest I've seen to a towbar like that was on a Volvo 340!

hirsty · Unread post by **hirsty** » 20 Apr 2010, 16:36

That is definitely the same as on my Xantia. The previous owner towed his caravan for several years with it without any problems. I don't use it, but haven't got around to removing it yet.

Keith

Unread post by **Edhertz** » 20 Apr 2010, 17:31

Hi there,
Looks like the one currently on e bay. I was after a tow bar for my exclusive but turned away from this in the end and won another. I suggest you go to the 'Towsure' site and look at part No CT265e and compare. Oh and by the way ..... Good luck!

Xantidote · Unread post by **Xantidote** » 21 Apr 2010, 01:08

Towbar looks identical to my towbar, manufactured by Towsure. The central tube runs above the spare wheel carrier. I had to bend/distort the spare wheel carrier a little, and it's certainly more difficult to drop the carrier down and get the spare out. Wasn't such a problem with the old rather worn spare, but the deeper tread on the present spare makes it more difficult

Gregg1100 · Unread post by **Gregg1100** » 21 Apr 2010, 02:47

Hi,
This is a Towsure bar for all Xantia Hatches.. Sturdy, easy to fit. The big bolt that holds up rear suspension passes through it, with tubular spacer.
This is the same type that I offered you, Jim. Not got around to weighing it for postal charges.
Greg

ACTIVE8 · Unread post by **ACTIVE8** » 21 Apr 2010, 18:07

Take a look at this one.

It's a detachable.

So one can have the subtle look, if the swan neck detachable part is removed.

Even with the swan neck in place it looks good, and not like a lump of steel slung on the back end.

It also leaves the spare wheel free to operate on its carrier as Citroen designed it, because it does not obstruct it at all.

jgra1 · Unread post by **jgra1** » 22 Apr 2010, 00:47

the bar (earlier in the post) looks very different to mine which i fitted a year ago- which has a Citroen ID plate on, stamped Xantia... I will try and take a pic tomorrow sometime if it helps..

John

XantiaExclusiveHDI · Unread post by **XantiaExclusiveHDI** » 22 Apr 2010, 01:43

Thanks for all the replies

I see that the centre bar could indeed interfere with the seating of the spare wheel and its cage.

Well as it happens i just found a Witter Towbar with dual electrics at my local scrap yard for 20 quid! Just got to get it off...

Looks like it has a spacer between the bar at the ball fixing which avoids the need to cut into the bumper which I prefer.

Got to get the boot of the scrap car open too as it's locked and the yard don't have the keys!

Sad to see so many Xantias in the scrap yards these days

Gregg1100 · Unread post by **Gregg1100** » 22 Apr 2010, 02:38

The Towsure towbar does not interfere with the spare wheel at all. I have had 3 of them. No different removing spare wheel with the Towsure bar than it is with the Witter that is fitted to this S reg Xantia I have now. I would never have paid out the extra just for a name.
With a swan neck, I don't think you can adjust the ride height like you can with Towsure and other normal bars--ie; just put a proper dropper plate on.

Towsure £104. Witter £165. Just a posher name.
Greg

ACTIVE8 · Unread post by **ACTIVE8** » 22 Apr 2010, 11:32

Gregg1100 wrote:The Towsure towbar does not interfere with the spare wheel at all. I have had 3 of them. No different removing spare wheel with the Towsure bar than it is with the Witter that is fitted to this S reg Xantia I have now. I would never have paid out the extra just for a name.
With a swan neck, I don't think you can adjust the ride height like you can with Towsure and other normal bars--ie; just put a proper dropper plate on.

Towsure £104. Witter £165. Just a posher name.
Greg

OK point taken about the dropper plate, but as the Xantia compensates for the load in the car, are they really needed?

If the trailer being towed, requires a dropper plate on the car then surely it is at the wrong height not the car, and to connect we can lower the car to allow easy coupling.

Unread post by **RichardW** » 22 Apr 2010, 12:03

Witter towbars are much sturdier than towsure (well, at least they used to be) hence the price differential. Towsure used to have small print at the bottom of the catalogue saying that the max load should be reduced for twin axle trailers. If you're only towing small trailers Towsure OK, if you're going for >1te of Caravan or something, then I would go Witter. The Witter Xantia Hatch bar has a 2" box section main cross member, and looks a lot sturdier than the Towsure one above!

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 22 Apr 2010, 12:51

For a PROPER Real Citroen Tow bar, ALL the fixing holes are already present on the car chassis!

I am talking about the ones that fit round the rear chassis and I would prefer if fitting one, much more secure IMHO

Paul

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