Retractable towbar - BMW 3-Series Forum (F30 / F32)

rhosneigr · 01-06-2013, 05:02 AM

Wanting to get a towbar for bike carrier and thinking of specing the electric retractable on new F31.

Know some bike carriers need flange type towbar. Anyone got experience of using it with bike carriers?

kitster · 01-08-2013, 03:57 AM

No experience of towbars with bike racks but I did have the retractable one on my previous E91. Personally didn't use it and instead went for the Thule aero bars with ProRide 591

dan yeates · 01-08-2013, 04:08 AM

BMW list this as an option for the electric tow bar

https://www.bmw.co.uk/en/topics/owne...ryId=7991.html

But as mentioned above, I also have the Thule roof bars and cycle carriers. Although the boot rack would be useful for when the kayak is on the roof when we go camping.

Captain Cow Pat · 01-08-2013, 04:38 AM

How does the bike carrier stay level if there is only a ball to clamp on? Wouldn't it just swivel round until it hit the ground. Sorry for the silly question but I have been wondering how it is achieved.

dan yeates · 01-08-2013, 04:42 AM

Not entirely sure to be honest! I assume it clamps the ball hitch and the neck to give it the required support.

Floriank · 01-08-2013, 12:41 PM

First post for me ....

I have a Thule 3-bike carrier with a 4th bike extension and it just clamps onto the tow bar ball without any additional support.

As long as you turn the adjustment screw on the carrier to a pretty tight setting the whole thing just clamps so firmly that there's no lateral movement at all - even big speed bumps or tight corners don't upset things.

I must say that I was quite nervous during the first few journeys, with my eyes in the rear view mirror at least as much as straight ahead but if clamped firmly there's nothing to worry about.

rhosneigr · 01-10-2013, 10:53 AM

Thanks Floriank.

Seems then that the ball only towbar should be ok. I know after market ones have a "flange plate" that racks can bolt to but the clamp option seems Ok I guess?

Do you find it slips at all or is it really solid?

rhosneigr · 01-10-2013, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan yeates

BMW list this as an option for the electric tow bar

https://www.bmw.co.uk/en/topics/owne...ryId=7991.html

But as mentioned above, I also have the Thule roof bars and cycle carriers. Although the boot rack would be useful for when the kayak is on the roof when we go camping.

Thanks for that link. That's the kind of thing I'm looking for so looks like it should be ok.

01-06-2013, 05:02 AM	#1
rhosneigr New Member Drives: E91 330d SE Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: UK Posts: 6 iTrader: (0)	Retractable towbar Wanting to get a towbar for bike carrier and thinking of specing the electric retractable on new F31. Know some bike carriers need flange type towbar. Anyone got experience of using it with bike carriers?
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01-08-2013, 04:08 AM	#3
dan yeates New Member Drives: 320d Sport Saloon Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 15 iTrader: (0)	BMW list this as an option for the electric tow bar https://www.bmw.co.uk/en/topics/owne...ryId=7991.html But as mentioned above, I also have the Thule roof bars and cycle carriers. Although the boot rack would be useful for when the kayak is on the roof when we go camping. __________________ 2004 BMW E85 Z4 3.0 SE with full Sport pack 2012 BMW F30 320d Sport Saloon with Sports Automatic Transmission, M-Sport Adaptive Suspension, Visibility and Professional Media

01-08-2013, 04:42 AM	#5
dan yeates New Member Drives: 320d Sport Saloon Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 15 iTrader: (0)	Not entirely sure to be honest! I assume it clamps the ball hitch and the neck to give it the required support. __________________ 2004 BMW E85 Z4 3.0 SE with full Sport pack 2012 BMW F30 320d Sport Saloon with Sports Automatic Transmission, M-Sport Adaptive Suspension, Visibility and Professional Media

01-08-2013, 12:41 PM	#6
Floriank New Member Drives: F31 330D M Sport Tanzanite Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Hampshire/Sussex Posts: 29 iTrader: (0)	First post for me .... I have a Thule 3-bike carrier with a 4th bike extension and it just clamps onto the tow bar ball without any additional support. As long as you turn the adjustment screw on the carrier to a pretty tight setting the whole thing just clamps so firmly that there's no lateral movement at all - even big speed bumps or tight corners don't upset things. I must say that I was quite nervous during the first few journeys, with my eyes in the rear view mirror at least as much as straight ahead but if clamped firmly there's nothing to worry about. __________________ F31 330d M Sport Tanzanite + heated Black Dakota Pro Nav/Visibility Pack/Comfort Pack/Harman Kardon/Comfort Access/Adaptive Suspension/Tow Bar etc

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01-08-2013, 03:57 AM	#2
kitster Second Lieutenant Drives: F31 320d M Sport Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: London, UK Posts: 236 iTrader: (0)	No experience of towbars with bike racks but I did have the retractable one on my previous E91. Personally didn't use it and instead went for the Thule aero bars with ProRide 591

01-08-2013, 04:38 AM	#4
Captain Cow Pat Second Lieutenant Drives: VO F31 330d xDrive M Sport Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 232 iTrader: (0)	How does the bike carrier stay level if there is only a ball to clamp on? Wouldn't it just swivel round until it hit the ground. Sorry for the silly question but I have been wondering how it is achieved.

01-10-2013, 10:53 AM	#7
rhosneigr New Member Drives: E91 330d SE Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: UK Posts: 6 iTrader: (0)	Thanks Floriank. Seems then that the ball only towbar should be ok. I know after market ones have a "flange plate" that racks can bolt to but the clamp option seems Ok I guess? Do you find it slips at all or is it really solid?