removable towbar and rear parking sensors

rotters · 29 Aug 2009 at 20:46

we have aftermarket rear parking sensors on the cmax, we would like a towbar to be added to the car as we've really got the camping bug. now if we have a removable towbar added with the fixing mount set the sensors off when we come to reverse?

cheers

rotters

rotters · 30 Aug 2009 at 07:26

a little bumpage for those early morning risers. or those late to bed!

The_Abyss · 30 Aug 2009 at 07:57

Why don't you activate the sensors, and position a similar sized object to the towbar in the same place, and see if it is triggered.

Usel · 30 Aug 2009 at 08:03

Your question is a little vague but i assume you are asking whether the parking sensors automatically turn off when a trailer is hitched? If so then if an oem kit is used then it's very likely but if not you can always identify the p/sensor wiring and add a manual switch.

miniyazz · 30 Aug 2009 at 09:32

Worst that can happen is they beep at you when you're reversing with a trailer - hardly that bad a problem, surely? Take a look to see where the sensors are and if the towbar'll set them off, as above, as you probably wouldn't want them never working.
+1 for manual switch though if you want to make it easier on the ears

Shad · 30 Aug 2009 at 09:42

I'm confused

I thought a tow bar was a rear parking sensor :confused:

miniyazz · 30 Aug 2009 at 09:44

Shad said:
I'm confused

I thought a tow bar was a rear parking sensor

it's the thing you attach a trailer to.. when you tow it..

Edit: Although I suppose it could be used as a rear parking sensor in a more physical sense

Howard · 30 Aug 2009 at 11:05

miniyazz said:
it's the thing you attach a trailer to.. when you tow it..

Whoosh

On the new Mondeo and IIRC Focus there's a button on the dashboard to turn the parking sensors on and off. Is this not the case in your Cmax?

SaBBz · 30 Aug 2009 at 11:37

Howard said:
On the new Mondeo and IIRC Focus there's a button on the dashboard to turn the parking sensors on and off. Is this not the case in your Cmax?

They're aftermarket sensors so I'm guessing not.

I think he's just asking if they will still work when there's no trailer on the tow bar as he still wants to use them when one isn't attached.

Howard · 30 Aug 2009 at 12:00

Whoops, I can't read

bullit in head · 30 Aug 2009 at 15:35

it depends how the sensors are set, in the galaxy and s-max there is a setting in the ecu to change the sensitivity of the parking sensors when a tow ball is attached,
so it could affect it, but as it is not oem theres no way any of use could guess, get out and try it.

bullit

Locky · 30 Aug 2009 at 16:05

Shad said:
I'm confused

I thought a tow bar was a rear parking sensor

lol

PeterNem · 30 Aug 2009 at 16:08

As per the above post... it depends totally on how they're positioned. Given they're aftermarket I suspect nobody can answer this. Your only was to find out is to try it for yourself!

rotters · 30 Aug 2009 at 20:07

i suppose your all right, im toying with the idea of getting a removable swann neck so its less likely to trigger the sensors. cheers though.

rotters