Westfalia tow bar fitting issue

[The_Laird]

OK, i have a similar tow bar on my D2. I think the most likely issue is that you’re trying to put it in (excuse unintended innuendoes) with the ‘balls’ out. You need to pull out the knob (I did warn you!) and rotate it until the balls retract into the body of the tow bar and it should lock in that position. Then push the towbar into place and, when in position, the balls should spring out to hold it in to place. Then rotate the key and remove it.

Another issue, if that doesn’t work, is that the inside of the mounting bracket gets cruddy. It’ll need a good clean with something abrasive and plenty of WD40.

[The_Laird]

Did that work?

[Horrgakx]

No amount of knob-twiddling will retract the ball bearings. I need to spend more time with it, I'll report back.

It's worth mentioning that in the second video I linked above, the part looks to be the same as what I have but it slots in very easily and locks automatically without any effort at all.

[The_Laird]

A little more detail: the knob should pull out (it’s quite stiff - more innuendos!) and turn so that the pointer in in the red, when it should lock. Make sure that the key is in the unlocked position (try both as I can’t remember which way is unlocked). When you then push the tow hitch back into its housing, it should spring locked as the balls are released. The pointer should now be in the green section and you should be able to turn the key and remove it.
If you don’t get any luck, I’ll get mine out and photograph each stage. If it’s not moving, then loads of WD40 might be in order, left to soak overnight.

[Horrgakx]

Thanks. As far as I remember the black knob doesn't pull out, it only rotates against a stiff spring. I'll grab it and take a closer look later.

[The_Laird]

OK, tried it on mine, so here are instructions and photos.

Photo 1 is the 'resting' position, with the balls out. Turn the key clockwise, pull on the knob and twist it. It will lock into place and the balls can then be pushed in, as in photo 2. It's now ready to insert onto the tow bar.

As it pushes in, the lever on the side of the tow hook is sprung and the balls are then released to lock the tow hook in place (as in photo 3, but obviously I didn't insert it). The mark must be aligned with the green section.

NB the key must now be turned and removed to ensure that the tow hook is fully engaged.

I can't get the photos loaded just now, so I'll try again later

[The_Laird]

Photos as promised (I hope!)