Tow Trust detachable tow bar on a S212 ?

[Not_Anumber]

It seemed like a good idea to fit the detachable towbar on the car the other day when i saw it in the boot of the S212 Ive just bought. The good idea went as far as thinking it would provide a bit of protection to the back of the car in car parks rather than taking up space in the boot. Unfortunately thats where the good ideas ran out.
I slotted it into the vertical fitting and latched it in but the other day realised the thing was missing. I have only just found a key for it in the bottom of the boot so didnt realise when i fitted it that there was a means of locking it, no obvious keyhole so i thought it just latched on t's lever and that was it.
.
Im not sure if the lack of locking meant that it shook loose on the motorway yesterday anyway it's gone due to my stupidity and I need to replace it. i'd assumed the removeable bit was universal but it seems there are different variations. If anyone happens to have a removeable Tow trust towbar on a S212 please can you let me know what the part number is on the removeable part so i can match it.

 

[grayb]

We have that tow bar on ours. This one https://www.tow-trust.co.uk/towbars...2-inc-sport-with-amg-kit-amg-line/2010+-+2016
Can't Tow Trust tell you the right part? I will go outside later and look, but I have never noticed any part number on the detachable part.

 

[mioba]

Id get in touch with tow trust.

Is there any stickers on whats left to identify the model number, that would make it easy for them.

I would expect it to be an off the shelf item. Do you know if the key goes in the bit you lost? otherwise new keys too.

Not sure as to your location but tow trust are based in warwick. They may have dealers spread out mind.

update:

Home | Tow Trust

www.tow-trust.co.uk

dealer locator

 

[Blobcat]

I pity the poor person behind you who comes across your lost tow hitch, hopefully it bounced onto the verge and away from any live lane.

 

[EmilysDad]

.... i'd assumed the removeable bit was universal but it seems there are different variations. .....

That the back of all cars are different from each other should have been a clue.

 

[Not_Anumber]

That the back of all cars are different from each other should have been a clue.

A universal part would be quite feasible as the position of the socket for the detachable section is set by the design of the fixed part.s. Not sure why you used the rolling eyes emoji

 

[Not_Anumber]

I pity the poor person behind you who comes across your lost tow hitch, hopefully it bounced onto the verge and away from any live lane.

Fear not. I have since run through ths with someone who tows regularly who confirmed theres no way it would have dropped out on the road given it was latched in place. It is far more likely that it was stolen whilst parked over the weekend.

 

[mioba]

I think you need to post up a pic of the actual tow bar you have, it might help in directing others

 

[mioba]

A universal part would be quite feasible as the position of the socket for the detachable section is set by the design of the fixed part.s. Not sure why you used the rolling eyes emoji

Guess he has been on the jungle juice again....

 

[Not_Anumber]

We have that tow bar on ours. This one https://www.tow-trust.co.uk/towbars...2-inc-sport-with-amg-kit-amg-line/2010+-+2016
Can't Tow Trust tell you the right part? I will go outside later and look, but I have never noticed any part number on the detachable part.

Thanks. Mine is a TM12VK from the blue sticker on the fixed part. There will be a label on the removable section. My guess would be this would probably have the numbers 6204 and ACS64 or ACS61 etc.

 

[mioba]

have you phoned some of the other authorised resellers as noted in the link, they may be more helpful that tow trust themselves......

 

[EmilysDad]

A universal part would be quite feasible as the position of the socket for the detachable section is set by the design of the fixed part.s.

The detachable part of a tow bar would fit a very limited range of vehicles given that the height & depth of bumpers varies widely between vehicles and the ball part has to be within certain dimensions from the ground

Not sure why you used the rolling eyes emoji

Really?

 

[Not_Anumber]

The detachable part of a tow bar would fit a very limited range of vehicles given that the height & depth of bumpers varies widely between vehicles and the ball part has to be within certain dimensions from the ground

Really?

It would be a simple matter for a towbar manufacturer to design the fixed part of the steelwork with appropriate spacing to place the socket for the detachable towball in the optimal position so then the towball would then be exactly the right height for towing whilst adeqautely clearing the rear bumper and other obstructions. Im not clear why you think that would be problematic. Its only basic metal design and fabrication, even i could do that with basic metalwork forming tools and amateur welding skills. In decades gone by I have modified fixed tow bars to fit different cars without compromising the safety of the fixing whilst putting the towball at the correct designated height.

I will readily defer to you of course if you have more hands on metalwork fabrication experience

 

[EmilysDad]

It would be a simple matter for a towbar manufacturer to design the fixed part of the steelwork with appropriate spacing to place the socket for the detachable towball in the optimal position so then the towball would then be exactly the right height for towing whilst adeqautely clearing the rear bumper and other obstructions. Im not clear why you think that would be problematic. Its only basic metal design and fabrication, even i could do that with basic metalwork forming tools and amateur welding skills. In decades gone by I have modified fixed tow bars to fit different cars without compromising the safety of the fixing whilst putting the towball at the correct designated height.

I will readily defer to you of course if you have more hands on metalwork fabrication experience

I'm sure that if between them, Westfalia, Bosal, Brink & any other after market towbar manufacturer around could have made a 1 fits all detachable bit they would have done.
I've done a fair bit of TIG, MIG, Stick/MMA gas welding on steel & ally over the years .... does that count?

 

[Not_Anumber]

I'm sure that if between them, Westfalia, Bosal, Brink & any other after market towbar manufacturer around could have made a 1 fits all detachable bit they would have done.
I've done a fair bit of TIG, MIG, Stick/MMA gas welding on steel & ally over the years .... does that count?

That will do nicely. Always good to talk to someone who is hands on. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't arguing against an armchair expert . I have to confess Ive never mastered TIG, hats off to anyone who can do that.

 

[Rotorhead500]

Just had a Tow Trust detachable jobby fitted to my UnMerc.

The fitting company took a lot of trouble to explain it doesn't just latch in place... collar has to have the red bar showing before slotting in, give it a solid nudge & wiggle, then collar flips to green once "latched". You can then lock it.

Can't remember model number on mine... but was fitted last month. Can find out if it helps at all.

 

[EmilysDad]

Just had a Tow Trust detachable jobby fitted to my UnMerc.

The fitting company took a lot of trouble to explain it doesn't just latch in place... collar has to have the red bar showing before slotting in, give it a solid nudge & wiggle, then collar flips to green once "latched". You can then lock it.

Can't remember model number on mine... but was fitted last month. An find out if it helps at all.

The Westafalia & Bosal bars I've had locked the key in place when it was removed, conversely the key could not be removed unless the detachable bit was engaged properly.

 

[EmilysDad]

That will do nicely. Always good to talk to someone who is hands on. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't arguing against an armchair expert . I have to confess Ive never mastered TIG, hats off to anyone who can do that.

many years ago .... 40+ we were given instruction on oxyacetylene welding on steel plates .... when we had got the hang of it, our instructor then showed us gas welding ally plate ... he was brilliant. We had a go .... how hard could it be? That was the 1st & last time I attempted gas welding ally!

 

[Blobcat]

Just had a Tow Trust detachable jobby fitted to my UnMerc.

The fitting company took a lot of trouble to explain it doesn't just latch in place... collar has to have the red bar showing before slotting in, give it a solid nudge & wiggle, then collar flips to green once "latched". You can then lock it.

Can't remember model number on mine... but was fitted last month. An find out if it helps at all.

My "Brink" on the VW was similar - red showing it would come back out - needed to be on green and locked before use

 

[grayb]

Thanks. Mine is a TM12VK from the blue sticker on the fixed part. There will be a label on the removable section. My guess would be this would probably have the numbers 6204 and ACS64 or ACS61 etc.

Here's the detachable part from our TowTrust towbar. I hope it helps you.