tow bar question

This is the place for posts that don't fit into any other category.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
jgra1
(Donor 2021)
Posts: 4625
Joined: 27 Nov 2005, 19:07
Location: Kent / Susssex
My Cars: 2010 C5 X7 2.0 hdi 160 exc auto
MG TF 135
Boxer II 2.2 camper conversion
BMW R1200RT
BMW K1300 R
Honda V F R 800 5thG / MT500 Armstrong
x 39

tow bar question

Post by jgra1 »

hi chaps, my c5 has a bolt on tow ball, 2 large bolts hold it to the main tow hitch.. its a standard factory C5 S1 towbar.

I have one of these, a bike carrier from the US which I would like to use..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Swagman-64095 ... 28059acda4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My carrier however, has a square hitch bolted on, with a large pin which locks.. for a US square hitch towbar.... the one in the listing doesn't have that hitch on - but you can see the bolt..

is there anyway I can attach it to the my tow bar assembly? I don't mind unbolting my tow ball when I want to use the rack.
Not sure if that makes much sense :)
John
User avatar
CitroJim
A very naughty boy
Posts: 49532
Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
Location: Paggers
My Cars: Bluebell the AX, Polly the C3 Picasso, Pix the Nissan Pixo, Propel the duathlon bike, TCR Pro the road bike and Fuji the TT bike...
x 6163
Contact:

Re: tow bar question

Post by CitroJim »

Ummm, I'd be tempted to make up an adapter plate John, an angled bracket that bolts onto the towbar flange and allows the Swagman to bolt onto it.. Towball would have to come off to use it though but that's just two bolts...

I'd be worried about the stability of a bike carrier that only has one mounting point like that... OK for a light bike I guess...

I'm currently looking into bike carriers and my preference is definitely going toward the roof-mounted ones at the moment...
Jim

Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
addo
Sara Watson's Stalker
Posts: 7098
Joined: 19 Aug 2008, 12:38
Location: NEW South Wales, Australia. I'll show you "Far, far away" ;-)
My Cars: Peugeot 605
Citroën Berlingo
Alfa 147
x 93

Post by addo »

I think you just need an insert with the flat tongue, remove the towball and you're good? Like this:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/321836489692" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
jgra1
(Donor 2021)
Posts: 4625
Joined: 27 Nov 2005, 19:07
Location: Kent / Susssex
My Cars: 2010 C5 X7 2.0 hdi 160 exc auto
MG TF 135
Boxer II 2.2 camper conversion
BMW R1200RT
BMW K1300 R
Honda V F R 800 5thG / MT500 Armstrong
x 39

Re: tow bar question

Post by jgra1 »

Thanks Jim. :) I Use the roof for the windsurfer sometimes ..
Hmm will have a think. . It's a strong bike rack ..
Last edited by jgra1 on 20 Aug 2015, 10:32, edited 1 time in total.
jgra1
(Donor 2021)
Posts: 4625
Joined: 27 Nov 2005, 19:07
Location: Kent / Susssex
My Cars: 2010 C5 X7 2.0 hdi 160 exc auto
MG TF 135
Boxer II 2.2 camper conversion
BMW R1200RT
BMW K1300 R
Honda V F R 800 5thG / MT500 Armstrong
x 39

Re: tow bar question

Post by jgra1 »

Not sure Adam. . I sort of need the female equivalent of that.. If I had a square hitch on the car then that would be a useful adapter for towing . And could swap it for the bike rack.. but i don't :(
addo
Sara Watson's Stalker
Posts: 7098
Joined: 19 Aug 2008, 12:38
Location: NEW South Wales, Australia. I'll show you "Far, far away" ;-)
My Cars: Peugeot 605
Citroën Berlingo
Alfa 147
x 93

Post by addo »

Oh, I misunderstood. Is yours a removable swan-neck or the Witter style flange towball?

The C5s here came with a Hayman-Reese receiver hitch.
jgra1
(Donor 2021)
Posts: 4625
Joined: 27 Nov 2005, 19:07
Location: Kent / Susssex
My Cars: 2010 C5 X7 2.0 hdi 160 exc auto
MG TF 135
Boxer II 2.2 camper conversion
BMW R1200RT
BMW K1300 R
Honda V F R 800 5thG / MT500 Armstrong
x 39

Re: tow bar question

Post by jgra1 »

hi Addo, it's a flange type tow ball, held by two bolts..



I think this is what I need, albeit one priced 100 times less ;)

or I just bin the rack and get something normal..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Reese-Towpowe ... 487b7fe3f2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
addo
Sara Watson's Stalker
Posts: 7098
Joined: 19 Aug 2008, 12:38
Location: NEW South Wales, Australia. I'll show you "Far, far away" ;-)
My Cars: Peugeot 605
Citroën Berlingo
Alfa 147
x 93

Post by addo »

USD$106 at Wal-Mart. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Reese-Towpowe ... g/23382345" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You could try asking one of the Seppos on Aussiefrogs to buy it? Postage would be another $70-odd.
wurlycorner
Posts: 1366
Joined: 30 Oct 2012, 22:37
Location: Chelmsford, Essex
My Cars: Two C5's...
Lots of CXs...
A couple of Xantia...
A C2...
Lots of Prelude's...
And a Sunny!
x 66
Contact:

Re: tow bar question

Post by wurlycorner »

Is it not just as easy/cheaper to get a different bike carrier that will fit onto the existing tow bar?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from= ... 5573.m1684" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
--
Iain

1x '85 CX GTi Turbo s1 (metallic blue)
2x '85 CX GTi Turbo s2 t1 (metallic silver & grey)
'88 CX GTi Turbo s2 T2 (metallic light blue)
CX DTR T2 Safari (silver)
2x '96 Xantia Activa (Black & metallic green)
'01 C5 2.0 HDi LX Estate (Blue)
jgra1
(Donor 2021)
Posts: 4625
Joined: 27 Nov 2005, 19:07
Location: Kent / Susssex
My Cars: 2010 C5 X7 2.0 hdi 160 exc auto
MG TF 135
Boxer II 2.2 camper conversion
BMW R1200RT
BMW K1300 R
Honda V F R 800 5thG / MT500 Armstrong
x 39

Re: tow bar question

Post by jgra1 »

Yes i think I will sell it. Too much hassle maybe.. presumably some import vehicles have a square hitch this would fit .. maybe 4 x 4's .. jeeps and dodge

Thanks all
Post Reply