tow bar question

[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

[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...

[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]

Thanks Jim. I Use the roof for the windsurfer sometimes ..
Hmm will have a think. . It's a strong bike rack ..

[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]

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]

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]

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]

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;

[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