Towbars for cycle rack - what's best?

[Time Waster]

Getting our garage to price up a few options for our Skoda Octavia Mrk 3 estate car. Not sure what we want so getting a few options. I would prefer that installation would not need the bumper to be cut away in case I want it reversed later (unlikely but I prefer that). I also asked for the newer 13 pin electrics (my Atera Strada has an adaptor for either of the two common ones in the UK anyway). I figured 13 pin is better for not much more than the older standard.

So that leaves flange vs swans neck and fixed vs removable?

I asked for either. I actually like flange but the idea of not cutting bumper might mean swans neck. Removable is good for when not using it. However I have heard of issues of them becoming loose and moving with each removal or being fiddly to remove or put back on. Then there is the losing of the fixings (pins or something I guess). Plus are they as secure when on which I guess is important for a towbar cycle mount with up to 3 even 4 bikes on it (mine is 3 bike with a 4th adaptor if needed but never tried to fit it). I have this idea that flange is more solid than swans neck towbar even a fixed swans neck one.

Our garage only installs the good makes apparently which I reckon includes Witter and Westfalia. Any others?

Basically does anyone have any advice or opinions to share with us on this matter?

 

[Ian H]

I put a removable swan-neck on my Citroen. The socket folds out of sight, and the reversing sensors work when the hitch is removed.

 

[potsy]

Not advice as such but i very recently got myself a swan neck fixed tow bar and Thule cycle carrier.
Wish I'd done it years ago, so handy now I'm back to cycling at weekends, and need to occasionally travel to the meet points.

Was worried about the reversing sensors but it's all programmed to disable them once the carrier is plugged in, also the carrier can fold down with the bikes on so access to the boot is still possible.

Very impressed.