Towbar Recommendations.

[chris-red]

I'm after a towbar for my 2006 Fiesta. It's only gonna be used for carrying a cycle rack. I want to go cheap and functional, I also want the ball to be easily removable. Any recommendations? Also, electrics getting conflicting advice as to whether a relay is required. The car doesn't have a bulb warning system.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[Polarbear]

If it's only going to be used for a cycle rack to you need electrics?
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[P.addy]

Probably don't even need a tow bar, they do cycle mounting systems without them.

[Matt B]

[Polarbear]

Won't want to tow much with a Fiesta, probably wont obscure the lights either.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Matt B]

[chris-red]

I want a tow back because the strap mounted carriers are a faff and can easily damage the car I have one currently I want to replace.

Roof bars on the fiesta are shit. You have to cut the gutter trim to fit them. They aren't quick release and look ugly. Plus poor MPG and the danger of height restrictions.


Tow Bar is the simplest easy to mount and remove solution.

Electrics I'm not sure I will need but figured I might as well do it properly encase I ever did need to trailer a bike or something.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[iooi]

[Polarbear]

Just looking at some on ebay, this one says relay not required.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Witter-Towbar-for-Ford-Fiesta-Hatchback-2002-2008-Flange-Tow-Bar-F134A-New-/261735793121

This one however makes a good argument for a bypass relay, I would fit one.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Towbar-Fixed-Swan-Neck-Ford-Fiesta-V-01-08-7-pin-Electrics-Bypass-Relay-1614076-/111737239095?fits=Model%3AFiesta+V
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Matt B]

[MattEMulsion]

I've used various types of cycle racks and had dealings with most others, my personal preference are roof bar/rack mounted carriers. If you buy the right combination then they can be fitted without damaging any bits of your car. As for the strap type carriers that go on the tailgate or even those tow ball mounted carriers it just seems too much of a faff especially if you are loading more than one bike onto them. Then you have got issues in obscuring the rear lights etc.
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Yamaha YZF-R6

[mudcow007]

i had a "strappy" carrier fall off the back of my car....

quite funny seeing cars swerving around a mountain bike as it slides an grinds down a road at 40 odd mph

towbar mount all the way for me

[chris-red]

[Polarbear]

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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[mudcow007]

Cool...

the bike that fell off the back of my car was a Kona Stinky which had cost me £2000 about a month earlier

[UnknownStuntm...]

Strap mounted bike racks are a fackin' menace.

First, they're sold to people with little regard for what can go wrong if it comes loose.

And they're sold BY people with little regard etc, etc.

And fitted by the son / next door neighbour of the person who DNGAF.

Culpability in a situation where a bike rack has come loose will fall to the driver of the vehicle and a simple 'meh' will not cut it. It's not funny in the slightest.

I remember a case where two motorcyclists with pillions were following a car where a cycle carrier came off, resulted in the death of one rider and one passenger.

[growler]

We have a strappy carrier for a xsara piccasso and I hate it as I spend more time twisted round in my seat to watch it than facing forward I hasten to add I don't drive
the longest trip it is used for is about 5 miles when the missus picks me up from work as even with the seats down it is bloody awkward to get my push bike in the car
the slightest movement and we pull over and check it
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DILLIGAF

[chris-red]

Picking one of these up thursday

https://images.esellerpro.com/2145/I/929/64/med9503.jpg

It tilts forward and generally looks easy to use. No more stress Now I'm looking at plans to make a Motorbike Trailer...
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[mudcow007]

my "funny" comment was a bit tongue in cheek, it fell off on a 30mph road and alas no kittens were killed during said episode

after that it went on the roof an hit many barriers over car parks n shizz (wouldnt advise roof bars either - noisy an big drop in consumption )