Member Since: 24 Nov 2017
Location: Baildon
Posts: 10
help with tow bar before purchase
Hi all
having recently lost my 110 defender to a fire I am looking at replacing it with a disco 4 so I have migrated over to this forum.
I will be towing a horse trailer with 2 big horses in and the odd occasional car trailer so was wondering what to look for in a used car with regards to the tow bar.
I have read a few scary stories about the detachable tow bar to be fair.
Was it a recall from land rover to sort the issue? and what was the fix.
Is it best to fit a fixed tow bar ( what is the cost of this roughly)
Thanks in advance.
Looking forward to a new adventure with the disco!
Heading to the for sale section now.
28th Nov 2017 3:36 pm
tayaste
Member Since: 15 May 2013
Location: Chester
Posts: 7633
Get a tow trust. Job done
28th Nov 2017 4:54 pm
Red Merle
Member Since: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Liskeard
Posts: 7438
I wouldn't trust two big horses, or in fact anything of any serious value, to the standard detachable unit.
I've no experience of the Tow Trust one, but the one that I found for serious towing is the Brink tow bar, with is the OEM manufacturer for the Land Rover OEM fixed, but variable height, tow bar. It's the toughest, simplest and most reliable unit out I've come across.
The brink references quoted on the invoice from when I bought the car are either 377000 or VSK: 29190507RC
I got the bar and electrics fitted for £485 in October 2015. The car that I fitted it to is currently for sale here. This should give you a good idea what it looks like:
2021 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200
2022 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200 & sidecar!
(One of only two known to exist in the world!)
28th Nov 2017 5:59 pm
Fifth Horseman
Member Since: 23 Oct 2012
Location: Lanarkshire
Posts: 217
Member Since: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Liskeard
Posts: 7438
Is that a standard 2” square towing hitch?2011 - 2015: 3 x FL2
2015 - 2017: 2 x D4
2017 to date: FFRR SDV8
2023 to date: FL2 as a second car
2021 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200
2022 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200 & sidecar!
(One of only two known to exist in the world!)
28th Nov 2017 8:14 pm
Bigcol66
Member Since: 28 Jul 2010
Location: Welshpool, Powys
Posts: 775
+1 for the OEM fixed towbar I wouldn't trust the removable towbar with the sort of loads you will be pulling.
28th Nov 2017 8:25 pm
Mogwyth
Member Since: 03 Oct 2014
Location: Pwllheli
Posts: 3976
Not a recall but a customer satisfaction programme, for all models from 2005-15, local dealer should be able to check if yours has been done.
They check the socket for wear, if it passes, normally they just add a bit to the handbook to say the removable towbar is for occasional use only and max nose-weight is 150kg.
If it fails they may either fit a fixed towbar or in extreme cases fit a new rear cross-member.
When I took mine in, I pointed put I brought it to not only tow a TA caravan but also a 3.5t livestock trailer, it passed but based on my towing needs they fitted a fixed towbar foc.==================================
05 D3 HSE V8 4.4
04 MG TF 135
03 MG TF 115 Cool Blue Edition
02 MG TF 160
00 Hymer B564 Lionheart
1971 Series III 109
Last edited by mick on 28th Nov 2017 8:59 pm. Edited 1 time in total
28th Nov 2017 8:55 pm
Red Merle
Member Since: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Liskeard
Posts: 7438
Mogwyth wrote:
Not a recall but a customer satisfaction programme...
I like the choice of words. I understand that BMW don’t tend to have recalls either, but the do have “quality enhancements” 2011 - 2015: 3 x FL2
2015 - 2017: 2 x D4
2017 to date: FFRR SDV8
2023 to date: FL2 as a second car
2021 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200
2022 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200 & sidecar!
(One of only two known to exist in the world!)
28th Nov 2017 8:59 pm
ward
Member Since: 24 Nov 2017
Location: Baildon
Posts: 10
Thanks for the info guys.
Looks like a fixed tow bar would be the best/safest bet. Just need to find a car now..
28th Nov 2017 9:03 pm
Red Merle
Member Since: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Liskeard
Posts: 7438
A good friend was killed when a trailer and Land Rover became detached and the trailer went through his wife’s Vitara that he was driving. There’s absolutely no way I would take any chances with anything but the very best detachable and I wouldn’t go near anything that was described as “for occasional use”!2011 - 2015: 3 x FL2
2015 - 2017: 2 x D4
2017 to date: FFRR SDV8
2023 to date: FL2 as a second car
2021 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200
2022 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200 & sidecar!
(One of only two known to exist in the world!)
28th Nov 2017 9:10 pm
Mogwyth
Member Since: 03 Oct 2014
Location: Pwllheli
Posts: 3976
Hardware17 wrote:
really ? they would fit a fixed one ? I've never had mine checked.
Well Conwy Land Rover did, they also did a full inspection of the car and sent me a link to the video and fully valeted it inside and out, much to my annoyance, didn't mind the inside but prefer my Land rovers to look "used" on the outside.==================================
05 D3 HSE V8 4.4
04 MG TF 135
03 MG TF 115 Cool Blue Edition
02 MG TF 160
00 Hymer B564 Lionheart
1971 Series III 109
I fitted a TowTrust bar earlier this year, was lucky to get one of the last few remaining with the detachable system.
Very well engineered very discrete when fitted. Certainly doesn't look like a plough as some do.
Never had my detachable checked but after reading all the comments on here just felt I couldn't with all honesty continue using the detachable.Morris Dancers: Drinkers with A Dance Problem
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