Detachable tow hitch

I never wanted a removable tow bar because at my age I don't need the faff and the uncertainty that I have put it back correctly.  Mine is in situ all the time - and I hope no one will steal it - it is locked - but it's a risk I shall continue to take.  Although it is good to know from the OP that theft can occur I shall continue to ask for a permanent one! 

'Premium' towbar manufactures' detachable towbars attach to the car such that the key will NOT remove from the lock unless the towbar is correctly engaged. So if the key comes out of the lock, then you've fitted the detachable bit correctly, if it doesn't,  then you've not. Towbars are a neccessary evil if you own a caravan, but a detachable bar gives you the option of not having a load of steel work on the back of your car. 😊

Hi I have a fix type bar don’t see the point in fitting bar and removing it 1 less job and less to worry about and if some one runs into my car hope it will damag there car and not mine

It’s obvious to me in that the word is “detachable”!

But why

If someone runs into the back of your car with a fixed towbar it could do just as much damage to yours as to his because the bumper wouldn't absorb any energy. The full force of the impact will go straight into the car's underbody structure, resulting a buckled floorpan, which is much more expensive to repair than to replace the bumper.

Because as suggested above, some of us consider the extra steel work of a fixed bar to be unsightly, hence if you can remove it when not in use, we do.

We had to have  detachable tow hitch to enable us to get the car in the garage.

you end up buying a sleek looking and perhaps expensive towcar and in my view spoil the look at the back by a horrible looking towbar. My car looks much better at the back without it.

Just my personal view of course and if the look at the back it doesn't bother you then don't get one.

I agree it does take a little bit of effort to attach with pulling the knob out and turning it towards you quite a way while holding the heavy thing with your left hand while of course kneeling down but for me anyway it's worth the effort.

And on some tow cars, the bar doesn't actually detach, the only effort involved is the press of a button in the boot and the bar swings into place electrically. ☺