Towbar doesn't click in properly
Discussion
I've got a Witter detachable towbar fitted on my 12 Sportage which I've not used so far but am planning to tow the 'van with it next week.
Just checking how it all works and tried to fit the towball on but it doesn't seem right. I can get the ball unit to click into the bar, but the knob is then supposed to move out and show a green indicator so you know it's fitted correctly and is safe. Mine will click in and the handle moves a little, but it won't pull out and show the green indicator. I've GENTLY tried to prise it out with a screwdriver and have given the mechanism (not the ball itself) a good spray with Lithium grease but to no avail. When it's off the car it works perfectly but won't click green on the car.
I tried to call Witter this morning but they're not open till Monday. Does anyone know what they're like for "lifetime warranty" type issues? It's not still under guarantee but if I make the drive from Cambridge to Chester, will they fix it for me? Free or at reasonable price or is everything full retail plus fitting etc?
Don't really want to buy a new towball and receptor, from what I can see they run out at c£150, this MUST be an easy fix for an expert.
Just checking how it all works and tried to fit the towball on but it doesn't seem right. I can get the ball unit to click into the bar, but the knob is then supposed to move out and show a green indicator so you know it's fitted correctly and is safe. Mine will click in and the handle moves a little, but it won't pull out and show the green indicator. I've GENTLY tried to prise it out with a screwdriver and have given the mechanism (not the ball itself) a good spray with Lithium grease but to no avail. When it's off the car it works perfectly but won't click green on the car.
I tried to call Witter this morning but they're not open till Monday. Does anyone know what they're like for "lifetime warranty" type issues? It's not still under guarantee but if I make the drive from Cambridge to Chester, will they fix it for me? Free or at reasonable price or is everything full retail plus fitting etc?
Don't really want to buy a new towball and receptor, from what I can see they run out at c£150, this MUST be an easy fix for an expert.
No it wasn't that at all. The towbar was a bit rusty around the detachable ball fitting area so I gave it a good going over with a wire brush on my electric drill and even a light touch up with a dremel and grindstone and the towball fits with a resounding positive click and the handle pops out and shows a reassuring green indicator so all perfect now.
And for those of you not sure what a detachable towbar is, have a look here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOwJ0HvPmnM
But thanks everyone for your ideas.
Another problem solved.
And for those of you not sure what a detachable towbar is, have a look here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOwJ0HvPmnM
But thanks everyone for your ideas.
Another problem solved.
Just refitted mine, to get it to lock(given that the pin is not showing above the tow ball connection) oh yes I struggled in the rain trying to connect it for ages before I realised the problem once
I hold the ball braket in place with one hand and pull push from the ball, this releases the locking mechanism I new to caravaning so I really do not know what I am talking about, but might be worth a try if you understand my instructions.
I hold the ball braket in place with one hand and pull push from the ball, this releases the locking mechanism I new to caravaning so I really do not know what I am talking about, but might be worth a try if you understand my instructions.
ColinM50 said:
I've got a Witter detachable towbar fitted on my 12 Sportage which I've not used so far but am planning to tow the 'van with it next week.
Just checking how it all works and tried to fit the towball on but it doesn't seem right. I can get the ball unit to click into the bar, but the knob is then supposed to move out and show a green indicator so you know it's fitted correctly and is safe. Mine will click in and the handle moves a little, but it won't pull out and show the green indicator. I've GENTLY tried to prise it out with a screwdriver and have given the mechanism (not the ball itself) a good spray with Lithium grease but to no avail. When it's off the car it works perfectly but won't click green on the car.
I tried to call Witter this morning but they're not open till Monday. Does anyone know what they're like for "lifetime warranty" type issues? It's not still under guarantee but if I make the drive from Cambridge to Chester, will they fix it for me? Free or at reasonable price or is everything full retail plus fitting etc?
Don't really want to buy a new towball and receptor, from what I can see they run out at c£150, this MUST be an easy fix for an expert.
Exact same problem. Have had the Witter detachable towbar hitch since 2015, and its on the second car. It began locking in unreliably last year. The removable assembly seemed to be working all right, but I soaked it with 3-in-1 oil and it operates smoothly, shows the green every time when testing in a vise using hose pliers to depress the pin. Just checking how it all works and tried to fit the towball on but it doesn't seem right. I can get the ball unit to click into the bar, but the knob is then supposed to move out and show a green indicator so you know it's fitted correctly and is safe. Mine will click in and the handle moves a little, but it won't pull out and show the green indicator. I've GENTLY tried to prise it out with a screwdriver and have given the mechanism (not the ball itself) a good spray with Lithium grease but to no avail. When it's off the car it works perfectly but won't click green on the car.
I tried to call Witter this morning but they're not open till Monday. Does anyone know what they're like for "lifetime warranty" type issues? It's not still under guarantee but if I make the drive from Cambridge to Chester, will they fix it for me? Free or at reasonable price or is everything full retail plus fitting etc?
Don't really want to buy a new towball and receptor, from what I can see they run out at c£150, this MUST be an easy fix for an expert.
Into the receiver it twisted and clicked just fine. And appeared to be locked in place. But the blue dial didn't twist and pop out showing the green - couldn't lock it with the key so didn't trust it. I used a toothbrush and WD-40, paying particular attention to the place where there is a detent where the pin is supposed to open up. Also pushed a 3/8 socket handle up the other side a little bit. Only a very bit of crud came out so I was dubious, but the next time inserted it locked in with green.
Had exactly this issue .. towbar clicked in but blue handle not turning far enough to pop out so could not lock with key.
When not in the car the handle turned all the way and popped out so i knew the mechanism was ok. Also I could press the small metal button and see the silver vertical cylinder was not getting far out of the black body its in judging by the position the blue handle was stopping at when I trying fitting to the car.
After an hour I think what fixed it was
1. Squirt wd40 inside blue handle and pop it in and out a lot manually.. didn't work straight away but might have helped.
2. Added grease to vertical silver bolt and corresponding part . Again may have contributed.
But the main thing was I think that when I felt inside the box fitted to the car, and felt where I thought the silver bar was going up into, I could feel a metal burr sticking down which might have been stopping the silver bar moving fully up. So I took a flathead screwdriver held vertically and scratched away at the burr. It was less than a millimeter i suspect. Spent about 5 mins doing that. Could feel the burr was reduced and then immediately the towbar worked when I tried it. Blue handle turned far enough to pop out and show the green section next to the pointer windows on it.
When not in the car the handle turned all the way and popped out so i knew the mechanism was ok. Also I could press the small metal button and see the silver vertical cylinder was not getting far out of the black body its in judging by the position the blue handle was stopping at when I trying fitting to the car.
After an hour I think what fixed it was
1. Squirt wd40 inside blue handle and pop it in and out a lot manually.. didn't work straight away but might have helped.
2. Added grease to vertical silver bolt and corresponding part . Again may have contributed.
But the main thing was I think that when I felt inside the box fitted to the car, and felt where I thought the silver bar was going up into, I could feel a metal burr sticking down which might have been stopping the silver bar moving fully up. So I took a flathead screwdriver held vertically and scratched away at the burr. It was less than a millimeter i suspect. Spent about 5 mins doing that. Could feel the burr was reduced and then immediately the towbar worked when I tried it. Blue handle turned far enough to pop out and show the green section next to the pointer windows on it.
ColinM50 said:
No it wasn't that at all. The towbar was a bit rusty around the detachable ball fitting area so I gave it a good going over with a wire brush on my electric drill and even a light touch up with a dremel and grindstone and the towball fits with a resounding positive click and the handle pops out and shows a reassuring green indicator so all perfect now.
And for those of you not sure what a detachable towbar is, have a look here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOwJ0HvPmnM
But thanks everyone for your ideas.
Another problem solved.
This is a marvellous video. Especially for people who, like me, love the word "flange"And for those of you not sure what a detachable towbar is, have a look here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOwJ0HvPmnM
But thanks everyone for your ideas.
Another problem solved.
I had exactly the same problem inserting the removable Witter towing bar into its socket. WD40 everywhere. Finally got the blue wheel to turn round fully to show “green” in the window by hitting the tow bar up with heavy hammer as was clicking it in. Can’t get it off but at least can tow caravan for now!
Gassing Station | Tents, Caravans & Motorhomes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff