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Towbar vs parking sensors

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arkiboys   
Wed Apr 29 2015, 10:26am
Member No: #38528
Joined: Dec 20 2014
Location: uk
Hello,

Citroen says they fit the swan neck towbar but it will interfere with rear parking sensors and after each use it needs to be detached so the rear parking sensors don't think there is an item behind the car.
Is this true? Does the towbar really get picked up by the rear sensors?

Thanks
BigJohnD   
Wed Apr 29 2015, 11:23am

Member No: #82
Joined: Jan 22 2007
Location: Hoylake
The genuine Citroën electrics disable the reversing sensors when a trailer is attached and reverse is engaged.

It's not the towball which the sensors detect but the trailer.
arkiboys   
Wed Apr 29 2015, 01:13pm
Member No: #38528
Joined: Dec 20 2014
Location: uk
Please note that Citroen said if only the towbar is attached and no trailer, the sensors still pick up the towbar.
Ham   
Wed Apr 29 2015, 02:25pm

Member No: #69
Joined: Jan 10 2007
Location: Derby, England
They will pickup the swan neck, the switch is in the electric socket that turns the sensors on or off when trailer electrics are attached.
arkiboys   
Thu Apr 30 2015, 02:26am
Member No: #38528
Joined: Dec 20 2014
Location: uk
So this means the towbar has to be removed everytime it is not in use so the rear sensors work?
Thanks
DeuxChevaux   
Thu Apr 30 2015, 02:30am
Member No: #16472
Joined: Nov 21 2010
Location: North Norfolk UK
Don't have to do that on mine, sensors work as before, perhaps it MAY happen on some cars??????
1 User said Thank You to DeuxChevaux for this Post :
 BigJohnD (30 Apr 2015 : 03:29)
Dave_Retired.   
Thu Apr 30 2015, 02:31am

Member No: #1
Joined: Aug 07 2006
Location: Northumberland
arkiboys wrote ...

So this means the towbar has to be removed everytime it is not in use so the rear sensors work?

Not the whole towbar, just the swan neck which has a quick release on it.

For most people, they will do a lot more miles not towing anything.
arkiboys   
Thu Apr 30 2015, 02:44am
Member No: #38528
Joined: Dec 20 2014
Location: uk
DeuxChevaux wrote ...

Don't have to do that on mine, sensors work as before, perhaps it MAY happen on some cars??????

Ordered the new C4 Picasso Exclusive+.
Citroen will get the third party company to fit the towbar which they say has to be swan-neck. They say the towbar itself which is detachable, once attached, then the sensors will not function correctly because the sensors pickup the ball of the towbar.
Dave_Retired.   
Thu Apr 30 2015, 05:29am

Member No: #1
Joined: Aug 07 2006
Location: Northumberland
Ham wrote ...

They will pickup the swan neck, the switch is in the electric socket that turns the sensors on or off when trailer electrics are attached.

@arkiboys please re read Hams post above and my post......

Were just going around in circles here, your question has been answered.
1 User said Thank You to Dave_Retired. for this Post :
 Ham (30 Apr 2015 : 14:50)
LesM   
Thu Apr 30 2015, 06:05am
Member No: #40362
Joined: Apr 30 2015
Location: Ireland
Hi,

I have a 3rd party swan neck detachable tow bar on a C4 Grand Picasso. The reversing sensors DO NOT see the tow bar in my case, but I have had the issue on a different car, so you may get this issue.

The real advantage in the Citroen over the other car I had the issue in is that you can turn off the sensors from the dash!

L

1 User said Thank You to LesM for this Post :
 BigJohnD (30 Apr 2015 : 12:46)
LeonP   
Thu Apr 30 2015, 02:53pm
Member No: #38558
Joined: Dec 24 2014
Location: Kerry, Wales
I fitted a Witter Flange type to my C4P, its not detachable and the reverse sensors do not pick it up. I can see it on the reversing camera but the sensors work as normal. I think the swan neck stick out a little more than the Flange.
arkiboys   
Thu Apr 30 2015, 11:02pm
Member No: #38528
Joined: Dec 20 2014
Location: uk
That is useful.
I will call Citroen to discuss.
Thanks.
macker850   
Fri May 01 2015, 11:07am
Member No: #38825
Joined: Jan 15 2015
Location: Dublin
Hi.

I also have a fixed flange Witter tow bar and have no issues with the parking sensors picking it up. Everything works as it should and when I have the bike carrier on I just turn the parking sensors off manually.
1 User said Thank You to macker850 for this Post :
 BigJohnD (01 May 2015 : 12:28)
LeonP   
Mon May 04 2015, 02:12am
Member No: #38558
Joined: Dec 24 2014
Location: Kerry, Wales
Mine is a C4P Exclusive + 2015 model.

I have attached a photo to show the tow bar fitted.


1 User said Thank You to LeonP for this Post :
 BigJohnD (04 May 2015 : 03:22)
LeonP   
Mon May 04 2015, 02:44am
Member No: #38558
Joined: Dec 24 2014
Location: Kerry, Wales
Some more Pics

1 User said Thank You to LeonP for this Post :
 BigJohnD (04 May 2015 : 03:22)
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