Member Since: 02 Jan 2010
Location: Milton Keynes
Posts: 2
Best Tow Bar for my 08 Disco 3
Hi all,
I am new on here as I have only recently purchased a 58 plate TDV6 HSE Discovery 3 and am now looking to get a tow bar fitted, but have no clue what is best in terms of style/type or manufacturer, can anyone assist? Also names of any reputable firms in my area would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Cheers
Mick
2nd Jan 2010 11:57 am
buellbeast
Member Since: 30 Jul 2008
Location: Exile
Posts: 1885
Land Rover make three types which simply clip in.
Swan neck for a fixed height a multi height adjustable one and a 2" receiver. You'll need the electrics which also just plug in, either twin sockets or single 13pin socket are available.
Oh and welcome to the forum.......
2nd Jan 2010 12:04 pm
MacLeod 313
Member Since: 18 Apr 2008
Location: away
Posts: 10723
IS it gonna be used ALL the time, or get heavy use?, otherwise why dont you go for the detachable LR one that locks behind the rear bumper panel.
The tow ball locks into place everytime you want to use it, the electrics are very easy to fit as its fundamentally a plug n play job.
Plenty have done it, including me, so if you source the parts collectively we can help you out.
Tow Bar electrics plugged in here, N/S Rear luggage compartment panel
Jason
2nd Jan 2010 12:06 pm
mick.symonds
Member Since: 02 Jan 2010
Location: Milton Keynes
Posts: 2
Thanks for the responses guys.
I would say it wont get used that often, probably a few times a year to tow the caravan and a few more times towing the bike trailere.
Is the detachable one that you mention best purchased from my local Landrover dealer? I assume they can supply the kit/components for the electrics as well or is there a better place?
Cheers
Mick
2nd Jan 2010 3:16 pm
MacLeod 313
Member Since: 18 Apr 2008
Location: away
Posts: 10723
Plenty go on ebay as a set (towbar and Electrics), or you can buy them individually on ebay too. They also come up on here very reasonable prices.
If you want new, the forum sponsor Nick at Yeovil LR will sort you out a good deal, contact by PM below
Member Since: 03 Feb 2009
Location: Colchester
Posts: 501
I went for the multi height one as when you say it'll be used just for the caravan and bike trailer you may need different heights plus you only have a tow ball with the swan neck where as with the multi you can put a pin on it if req. I tend to use my for a lot of towing so I have no need to remove it but if you dont like the look of a tow bar its always nice to take it out of sight. just my view on it.Current: D3 commercial
Past: but not forgotten D3 HSE x2, 5 TD5 disco2's, 1 200tdi disco1, 2 300tdi disco1 one of which was a commercial, Off roader with a rather large spec, ARB's and big travel suspension to name a few.
Pajero SWB 2.8 for off road playdays
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2nd Jan 2010 8:16 pm
BazLR3
Member Since: 13 Dec 2009
Location: Dubai
Posts: 178
Hi there. Would you mind telling the exact part number for your OEM hitch and wire harness. Although I do not live in the US< I am looking for the US spec wire harness because all of my trailers are US spec and have the 5 pin male plug. I too would love to have a multi height set up, how much did your end up costing you? Thanks.
3rd Jan 2010 12:54 pm
Spooky
Member Since: 02 Jun 2009
Location: Swindon, Wilts
Posts: 1013
The Socket Electrical Kit for USA/Canada is YWJ500220.
As to the hitch itself, what type and size is the connection required for the trailers, 2" or 50 mm???Regards,
Mick
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3rd Jan 2010 4:33 pm
BazLR3
Member Since: 13 Dec 2009
Location: Dubai
Posts: 178
I need a two inch square opening. The tow ball is 2 5/8, that is why I have a problem with the drop down OEM hatch. I assume the wiring for both US and UK harnesses starts off at the same point, the wire harness should thu be the same on one end of the wire.
4th Jan 2010 4:58 am
hensoni
Member Since: 01 Oct 2007
Location: Sleepy Somerset
Posts: 576
BazLR3,
Go for the multi-height towbar or a US market specific setup. If your US spec trailer is anything like my climbing wall, then the hitch height of the removable swan-neck will be too low and you won't get enough noseweight (tongueweight) on your trailer (assuming that you have a large twin/triple axle trailer). You may not get any weight on the rear trailer axle at all! Also, the Euro swan-neck has a fixed 50mm ball which will be a sloppy fit for a 2in ball and is definitely NOT RECOMMENDED!!!!
I run a hitch height of 490mm on my other tow vehicles and it is just about possible on the OEM multiheight towbar by mounting the ball on the highest, fixed mounting point. Large European trailers (such as horseboxes) typically run at 450mm while most slugs (tin tents) and toy trailers run at much lower heights. The swan-neck is very popular with the slug brigade.
I don't know if LR do an OEM class IV coupler mount. We don't use them in Europe. My US trailer has a Euro 50mm coupler.
BTW, your quoted towball diameter of 2 5/8 is most likely 2 5/16
4th Jan 2010 2:20 pm
BazLR3
Member Since: 13 Dec 2009
Location: Dubai
Posts: 178
Makes sense. I will probably go with the Curtis Hitch and ship it from the US. I can then have two hights by flipping the tongue in reverse if I needed to.
5th Jan 2010 9:34 am
mikeyp
Member Since: 29 Dec 2009
Location: London. Scotland. The Alps.
Posts: 131
Multi Height for me as it seems more versatile:
1. Cheaper than the removable swan neck
2. Additional protection should you reverse into anything, as its always on
3. If you want to use any bolt on bike racks etc. you cant use the swan neck removable
4. err getting stuck for any more...
7th Jan 2010 8:58 pm
BHH
Member Since: 19 Jan 2010
Location: Co. Antrim, N. Ireland
Posts: 208
MacLeod 313 wrote:
IS it gonna be used ALL the time, or get heavy use?, otherwise why dont you go for the detachable LR one that locks behind the rear bumper panel.
The tow ball locks into place everytime you want to use it, the electrics are very easy to fit as its fundamentally a plug n play job.
Plenty have done it, including me, so if you source the parts collectively we can help you out.
Tow Bar electrics plugged in here, N/S Rear luggage compartment panel
Jason
MacLeod,
Did you fit the fuses in the top photo? - just checked & mine has none.....
Swan neck for a fixed height a multi height adjustable one and a 2" receiver. You'll need the electrics which also just plug in, either twin sockets or single 13pin socket are available.
Oh and welcome to the forum.......
Sounds too easy... ... is fitting the electrics really that simple? ie a job for a competent DIYer, rather than an expert? Is any kind of diagnostics / dealership computer set-up needed?
Thanks for your advice.____
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Fuse block is part of the official LR trailer wiring kit.
Generally the fuse block comes with the Land Rover factory wiring kit.
I have seen aftermarket kits that do not have the fuse block, (very common); also there are trailer connector and wiring differences between the NAS (USA) wiring factory kit and the UK, as well as Australia, and Euro factory kits.
The factory kit is quite fancy in that it makes an indicator light illuminate on the instrument panel with a trailer is connected and I gather keeps the 3 from changing height when driving down the road and I suppose, also when parked.2005 LR3 HSE 4.4L AJ-V8 petrol; Traxide Dual Battery; PIAA 2500K Yellow Ion H11 Fog Light bulbs; CounterAct LT-2 Capacitive Corrosion control; LLumar AIR80 Blue clear Infra Red blocking side window film; Liftgate manual release; Schrader Valve "air in" mod to OEM air suspension reservoir tank; Akebono ceramic pads; OEM solid vented discs; LR4 design hitch receiver; Wiggs D4 MOST bluetooth module; Clock on the Dash; 3 Flash signal light mod; Backup Camera; 2015/16 Nav Data update.
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... is fitting the electrics really that simple? ie a job for a competent DIYer, rather than an expert? Is any kind of diagnostics / dealership computer set-up needed?
