Member Since: 11 Oct 2012
Location: Tenbury Wells
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Trailer Accident - Removable Towbar Failure
I am not sure if this has been posted, apologies if it has. Yet another detachable tow bar problem. Personally I was unhappy with ours and thankfully we bought a LR fixed via TLO and a Bodsy fit.
Extract below from article - somehow, they got both horses out and they are okay.
Quote from part of their article and photo
Quote "It looks like my factory fitted detachable towbar came away although I will know for sure when I visit my trailer tomorrow as it had to be uplifted from the scene. If you have one on your car please check and read this link. It does not make for good reading! http://landroverhell.com/article/4193/tow-bar-on-the-discovery-3"
Click image to enlarge
Good to see the horses were okay, but a lucky escape I think.2 x D3's (Twins)
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10th Jul 2014 6:58 am
Russell
Member Since: 24 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
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Where is the full article on the failure and the subsequent investigation, did it get proved the tow bar was at fault?MY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
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Tow bar, full length roof bars, side steps, tow bar storage unit, surround camers.
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10th Jul 2014 7:28 am
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50934
Can't see the above "article" anywhere ...is there a link to it? Also "LR hell" has been going since 2008 so given the hundreds of thousands of vehicles sold between then and now and in use less than 20 reports of failures on such a high profile anti-LR site is neither here nor there tbh 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
10th Jul 2014 7:53 am
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
Ouch.
Last year I parked next to a D3 / horse box that had the key in the tow bar lock. When I chatted to the lady she explained that should not get the key out. I had a go but found that the unit was not fully engaged(!).
After explaining to her the miracle in that the combination had not come apart my offer of help turned into several minutes of hammer time to get it out, then a fair amount of encouragement to engage the bar correctly. She had no idea that the lock position was trying to tell her something.
I also see many bar/vehicles in poor condition. The bar mount must be clean and lightly oiled (as many do) but so should the socket. Far too many sockets are full of crud and corrosion. At the minimum get into the habit of placing a bit if cardboard on the drive and liberally spraying the socket with WD40 / GT85 etc as part of routine maintenance.
I'm still using my first removable tow bar after 9 years use on 2 vehicles and very happy with it.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26699
I feel that the removable tow bar is too complicated for the non-mechanically minded Mr/Mrs Average.
As you say Robbie, it does need to be fitted properly, and the key must come out to make sure its safe.
It also does need maintenance, mine is now almost 10 yrs old, 3 vehicles and still works fine. I do keep it cleaned and well oiled, and I do find that it attracts a lot of crud in its workings, which is a result of it been situated at the rear of the vehicle.
10th Jul 2014 9:05 am
L319
Member Since: 14 Dec 2013
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 2080
I believe land Rover should make more of a point that unless you can remove the key, the lock isn't fully engaged. It is not just an anti theft thing.
10th Jul 2014 9:05 am
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26699
I have not got the manual here, but I think it does tell you to remove the key.
10th Jul 2014 9:10 am
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
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problem is no one reads the manual !! Duncan
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10th Jul 2014 9:24 am
dubbs
Member Since: 18 Apr 2012
Location: Gloucestershire
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Very good point and as I'm about to tow the tin tent down to Brittany week after next I shall give the whole lot a good going over with GT85 - not that I have nay problems with it, but won't hurt to clean it up a bit in the socket.
Which reminds me - I used to have a plug that went in when the tow bar wasn't in use... wonder where that went....MY15 DIY Black Pack (Better than factory and half the price!)
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10th Jul 2014 10:02 am
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
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That red plug is a joke. I have never managed to successfully refit one, it has always departed company from the car soon afterwards.
10th Jul 2014 10:06 am
Thurbs
Member Since: 08 Nov 2013
Location: Midlands
Posts: 28
Very scary prefer old fashioned fixed myself
12th Jul 2014 2:41 pm
Fitzy73
Member Since: 09 Feb 2014
Location: Truro
Posts: 2407
I just got a new one, opened the sealed box, there was no manual.
I installed it, and the key didn't come out. The locking pin was out, but not all the way. I'm assuming there was so much rust and crud not allowing the assembly to go up into the hole as far as it should. It really wasn't by much that it needed to go. If I get the chance, I'm going to see about getting that area shot blasted clean, then a nice thick coating of grease.
The new hitch receiver was also bone dry, I would have expected a grease coating myself.
I knew right away that it wasn't seated correctly, but I can understand how someone else wouldn't have known it was wrong.
12th Jul 2014 11:06 pm
DN D3 Decade
Member Since: 24 Jun 2006
Location: W.London.
Posts: 2293
Yep, whenever I use my detachable towbar,( which is hardly ever tbh ), I clean out the receptacle and re grease it before fitting the towbar. If I was planning on towing something serious, like a tin tent or heavy trailer, I would use the extra bolt on stainless steel plate that geosdad on here is marketing. I know it adds a little extra time to fitting / removing, but it is a strong bit of kit, that will not allow the towbar to detach.
Last edited by DN on 12th Jul 2014 11:21 pm. Edited 1 time in total
12th Jul 2014 11:16 pm
will247
Member Since: 05 Jan 2013
Location: York
Posts: 709
Marginally it amazes me how many people snatch the breakaway cable back on itself around the ball. I ALWAY clip the breakaway to either one of the spare holes (I have the fixed hitch) or to the huge eye between the connectors.
I know of regular ball hitches shearing off both M16 bolts... if you have the breakaway snatched on the ball itself then it will do sweet FA, in my opinion it should be attached to something substantial so even if the whole assembly comes off the brakes on the trailer come on!26 and on the 4th LR..
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), I clean out the receptacle and re grease it before fitting the towbar. If I was planning on towing something serious, like a tin tent or heavy trailer, I would use the extra bolt on stainless steel plate that geosdad on here is marketing. I know it adds a little extra time to fitting / removing, but it is a strong bit of kit, that will not allow the towbar to detach. 
it amazes me how many people snatch the breakaway cable back on itself around the ball. I ALWAY clip the breakaway to either one of the spare holes (I have the fixed hitch) or to the huge eye between the connectors.
