Posted on 06/03/2019 18:28
Hi,
Has anyone got a mk 3 with a factory tow bar? Is there reasonable clearance for the Alko 3004?
As usual, the car dealers and even BMW customer service (uk) whilst trying to help have no idea what I am on about.
The clearance as shown in the photo on the Tiguan post (s) would not be acceptable to me.
Posted on 16/03/2019 11:09 by FyshermanWhat I expect is a tow bar and ball with enough clearance to reverse my car up to the caravan and hitch it up without issues. Not that it will articulate with 1mm clearance!
It would appear from comments and my own findings that there are some cars fitted with factory towbars that have insufficient clearance to do this.
I for one would prefer to know which ones these are so I can avoid them.
Merc ML MM? Proper towcar mate.
Posted on 16/03/2019 12:45 by EmilysDad@ Fysherman
I've only had it a week & it made its maiden tow this week to this unidentified CC site. I thought the R320 was good .... the ML350 is even better (as long as you don't have the mpg on display 😉)
Posted on 16/03/2019 15:39 by EmilysDadI actually test drove a Jeep Grand Cherokee the week before & as nice as it was the Merc drove better .... plus it already had a factory tow bar 😉
Posted on 16/03/2019 22:30 by lornalou1drove better not towed better. I take it the tow bar swayed your decision.
Posted on 17/03/2019 00:18
Obviously I've no idea how the Jeep would've towed. Jeep has 8 speeds vs Mercs 7 but the Merc has a few more torques & bhps than the Jeep. There were swings & roundabouts with various specs & numbers.
The Jeep I looked at didn't have a towbar so would've needed one fitting but when I looked at the spec of the Merc it stated 'detachable' but it turned out to be a swivelly down type. 👌
I have to admit that I'd always had reservations about the FIAT part of JEEP and perhaps that subconsciously pushed to me to the badge I already had. And the Jeep's parking brake, though similar to what I had my R Class was just in the way of my left foot ... & (rightly or wrongly) I use two feet to drive my autos.
Posted on 16/03/2019 23:59 by FyshermanLutz. I find to hard to believe you need "enough clearance" explaining to you.
I will be posting on the clearance on my new car and towbar in due course and if it is "enough".
Fysh.
Posted on 17/03/2019 00:20 by EmilysDadWhen it stops raining I'll measure mine .... are we measuring from the centre of the ball to the bumper or the gap between the ball & bumper?
Posted on 17/03/2019 09:29
To the centre of the ball - also vertical clearance would be helpful - photo even more so.
Like Fysh I Iike a towball to have proper clearance i.e at least 20mm, unlike some who clearly are happy with 1mm and presumably a frequently scuffed bumper !
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Posted on 17/03/2019 09:29 by birderbillyTo the centre of the ball - also vertical clearance would be helpful - photo even more so.
Like Fysh I Iike a towball to have proper clearance i.e at least 20mm, unlike some who clearly are happy with 1mm and presumably a frequently scuffed bumper !
Fysherman