Member Since: 28 Dec 2011
Location: Kent
Posts: 76
Detachable or Fixed tow ball
Right i am currently looking at Disco 3's and i am wondering what the towing weight limits are for either the detachable or fixed tow bar. Ive looked at several so far and some have the detachable and some have the fixed... Is there a weight limit for the detachable.
I currently tow a 26ft caravan and the max technical permissable laden mass is 1700kg
Any help or advice greatly received
6th Mar 2012 10:42 pm
Leesbay
Member Since: 19 Dec 2011
Location: rainford
Posts: 1581
Might be wrong but i think the nose weight should be a maximum of 100kg for the detatchable. previous fixed tow balls have been 75kg on previous cars.
I personally keep it to 75kg which suits my set up fine
I tow a big bailey senator twin axle fully laden without a problem.
Make sure you load the van correctly, and if necessary get a noseweight gauge. Its easy to overload the front locker which will make your van snake and handle badly.....................................................................................................
If my wife ever sells my stuff for what she thinks I paid for them, you lot are gonna get some bargains!
6th Mar 2012 10:53 pm
GrahamH
Member Since: 28 Dec 2011
Location: Kent
Posts: 76
I currently tow my Avondale Argente 640-6 same size i think as your senator with my TD5 with no probs. I was just wondering if there was a weight limit with regards towing on the detachables on D3's. My front locker has the bare minimum in so nose weight not a problem. Had heard something along the lines that the detachable was good up to 1750kg and the fixed was ok up to 3500kg.. is this true or was what i was told rubbish.
My current van below with my TD5
Click image to enlarge
6th Mar 2012 11:01 pm
Leesbay
Member Since: 19 Dec 2011
Location: rainford
Posts: 1581
I think the genuine factory fitted detachable towbar will be good to go for the quoted towing weight of 3500kg for the D3 quoted as the spec in the manual.
Best way to check is ring a dealership, but if a D3 cant tow it, you will need an HGV!....................................................................................................
If my wife ever sells my stuff for what she thinks I paid for them, you lot are gonna get some bargains!
6th Mar 2012 11:07 pm
JDB
Member Since: 25 Mar 2010
Location: NW Hampshire
Posts: 2486
I can do a very good used removeable tow bar for £150 delivered.....
don't base your car choice on whether it has a tow bar or not!
7th Mar 2012 5:55 am
uncletoobey
Member Since: 20 Apr 2010
Location: Prestatyn
Posts: 6
I had been pondreing on this too - I am about to buy my first caravan but as I have a squad of children it will be fairly large. Is the detacheable sufficient or does the adjustable height on the fixed give an advantage? Any tips gratefully received.
7th Mar 2012 10:49 am
loopyles
Member Since: 25 Oct 2007
Location: Northumberland
Posts: 269
3500kg is correct. The D3 will pull your van with a detachable ball no problem. the nose weight is up tp 150kg unless you have a Alko hitch fitted then it is up to a 100kg (an Alko thing) I also tow a Senator with ATC, nose weight is not critical but getting it near enough max keeps the perma grin even when towing.
This may help
Member Since: 21 Sep 2007
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 1394
Both types of tow bar are good to the maximum tow limit of 3500Kgs for a braked trailer. I've towed to the max with the detachable towbar and it was absolutely fine.
The main decision is if you will be wanting to use a bike carrier whilst towing, if so go for the fixed multi height towbar as the MaxxRaxx system does not work with a detachable towbar and Alko caravan hitch.
Dex
7th Mar 2012 12:50 pm
Madrunner
Member Since: 23 Oct 2011
Location: Dorset
Posts: 391
Also tow a reasonably hefty van with my D3 - fixed every time.
Sold the detachable that came with it and on went a witter fixed. Lively jubbly.
Read too many horror stories of detached detachable bars for my liking plus I do a lot of towing and may fit a bike carrier at some point.
Probably me being too over cautious !!
7th Mar 2012 5:01 pm
NickJ
Member Since: 11 Oct 2010
Location: there's no f in point
Posts: 2137
Madrunner wrote:
Read too many horror stories of detached detachable bars for my liking
But doesnt the fixed towbar still use the same socket idea, but just has bars either side attched to the chassis?
7th Mar 2012 6:32 pm
Madrunner
Member Since: 23 Oct 2011
Location: Dorset
Posts: 391
It's held into the detachable receiver with a sprung loaded catch with a licking bolt behind the plunger and then 2 triangulating plates back up to the rear longitudinals so it cannot move.
Swank......
7th Mar 2012 6:45 pm
rnlisg
Member Since: 07 Aug 2010
Location: kent
Posts: 209
towed with the factory detachable towbar no problems,easy to use (also you dont whack your shins everytime you go round the back but i saw a thread on here about not leaving it on when you are not towing as someone in the know can whip it off in a couple of minutes,without using a key
sandys/steel side tubes,door trims with bright inlay,front and rear light guards,half chrome mirror caps,mud flaps,chrome finishers on boot and rear bumper step,chrome finishers round gear shift and cup holders,chrome door handle covers.d/4 grille conversion,chrome foglamp bezzells,parrot bluetooth.***sadly missed**********
8th Mar 2012 5:45 pm
GrahamH
Member Since: 28 Dec 2011
Location: Kent
Posts: 76
cheers for the replies... has put my mind at rest a little.... now to carry on looking for a D3... was out most of last weekend and didnt find anything to my liking and it looks like im out again this weekend.
Wish me luck
9th Mar 2012 7:43 am
rnlisg
Member Since: 07 Aug 2010
Location: kent
Posts: 209
still looking
hi graham good luck with the search there are a lot out there,get the best you can stretch to and make sure you get full history,plus a warranty if poss.
sandy s/steel side tubes,door trims with bright inlay,front and rear light guards,half chrome mirror caps,mud flaps,chrome finishers on boot and rear bumper step,chrome finishers round gear shift and cup holders,chrome door handle covers.d/4 grille conversion,chrome foglamp bezzells,parrot bluetooth.***sadly missed**********
9th Mar 2012 8:22 pm
GrahamH
Member Since: 28 Dec 2011
Location: Kent
Posts: 76
cheers sandy
got a budget of 11k with a d2 td5 to px as well so we will see what this weekend brings
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but i saw a thread on here about not leaving it on when you are not towing as someone in the know can whip it off in a couple of minutes,without using a key 
