Member Since: 28 Jul 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 121
Removable tow ball.... movement when locked
I am aware of the service check made on these towballs and I had mine passed ok by the dealer 12months ago.
When the tow ball 'wedge' is inserted into its housing and the key locked and removed, there is no movement. However, if I pull and turn the green outer device WITHOUT the key inserted there is some rotational movement possible. This small amount of rotation actually withdraws the retaining pin slightly making the towball loose. The towball cannot be removed by me in this state as some of the pin is still extended into its recess...but it begs the question whether a trailer could force it off? If I rotate the green wheel back to its resting place the pin comes out fully again making the towball rigid once more
I know there has been a lot of debate about the suitability and vulnerability of the detachable towball. I was told by my dealer that towing a caravan a few weeks a year, which is all I do, was considered ok for this towball. I also remove it and fit the red 'plug' when not in use.
But this is the first time I've noticed I can actually partially withdraw the securing pin without a key by merely rotating the green wheel slightly. The green part doesn't naturally spring back to its resting place, so it's conceivable that if it accidentally turned in use, it would stay in that position and the towball would be only partially held by the pin.
Is this normal for this device or has the locking mechanism loosened /worn to be able to partially withdraw the pin without unlocking?
Same thing happened to me.
Dealer checked it and said it was OK 12 months ago, but once I felt it move, I knew it had to go.
Its not worth the risk.
Fixed towbar now fitted - and my confidence is restored Original Owner.
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4399
There is an element of 'adjustment' achievable when the locking mechanism is installed into the detachable towball.
In theory, there should be no movement, as the whole system is designed on opposing tapers.
I've made a mod to mine, and there is no movement at all. I've towed car trailers (with cars on!) plant trailers, cherry pickers, 2 tonnes of sand, still with no slack or wear.
PM me, I'll explain. Where are you in Norfolk?Richard
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
Discovery 2 4.0 ES 2001- Gone
Discovery 1 300Tdi ES '95 - Gone
Range Rover Classic '79 - Gone
11th Sep 2017 4:49 pm
L319
Member Since: 14 Dec 2013
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 2079
I did the same with my original 2005 version to achieve zero slack . The later versions of the hitch have a ratchet mechanism in the knob which stops it rotating in use.
11th Sep 2017 10:41 pm
Wolfpack
Member Since: 28 Jul 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 121
I'm sure mine has the ratchet, as you can occasional hear it when you move the green outer. I wonder if the outer green part has become loose causing it to slip?
Have ordered a new lock mechanism so will have a better insight when I take it apart.
But Richards mod, may be the way ahead. Will let him explain it.
11th Sep 2017 11:56 pm
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
The bolt on lock plate is very good and forces the wedges tighter together
12th Sep 2017 3:58 am
Wolfpack
Member Since: 28 Jul 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 121
Forgive my ignorance, what's the "bolt on lock plate"?
12th Sep 2017 9:19 am
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
Ive tried to search for the post but cant find it!
Basically a guy on here designed a plate that fits under the towbar and using two m12 bolts up through the plate and into the cast towbar socket secured the towball tightly into the socket and stops it getting nicked.
I think he used to sell them on ebay but again I cant find them.
12th Sep 2017 6:46 pm
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
Quick google search came up with this
Theres even some drawings to work from, which Is how I made mine.
Iirc he stopped making them as there was no money in it, hence the reason he released the tech drawings for all to use.
Member Since: 22 Jul 2017
Location: Peoples Republic of Kent.
Posts: 60
I have two of these for sale if you are interested? I bought them from the guy who makes them, thinking they would fit our two Disco’s, but i was wrong, as ours have Witter fixed tow bars, the brackets are specifically made for the detatchable ones.
I am after £25 for each one, (which i what they cost me)
Click image to enlarge
which will include UK postage
1st Oct 2017 4:47 pm
Headtester
Member Since: 06 May 2017
Location: London
Posts: 22
Tow bar plate
I'd like one of them please - PM on its way
1st Oct 2017 5:47 pm
Brooksie69
Member Since: 09 Jun 2014
Location: Wigan
Posts: 168
eBay Item No. 152715590443
This the item number on Flebay £28 free post
Seems to get a few quite often
...........One life live it..........
1st Oct 2017 6:10 pm
dgardel
Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: Greater Venice
Posts: 2025
Member Since: 28 Jul 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 121
Thanks for the info, I have now got one of these plates.
The only comment I would make to anyone else fitting one...(on my D4) the receiving holes on the LR towbar are much wider than the M12 bolts specified for the plate. So you DO need the oversize washers mentioned on the above drawing, to stop the bolt head/nut dropping out.
I have also reversed one bolt so the excess thread protrudes down....onto which I have screwed an M12 female eye nut, to give me a rigid coupling point for my caravans breakaway cable.
6th Oct 2017 11:54 am
OJ
Member Since: 01 Oct 2017
Location: Loch Leven
Posts: 725
Hi guys
I recently moved over from a Defender to a D4, we tow a reasonably heavy van / trailer 1850kg or thereabouts, after reading some of the horror stories about the detachable towbar parting company from the vehicle I contacted our local LR dealer who were able to trace our VIN No through the the system and confirmed our Nov 2015 D4 was not one of the affected vehicles, still concerned we checked our towbar connection after a short 2hr journey with the outfit and noted definite movement in the wedge area of the towbar, this was not apparent when we set off as it was checked and no movement detected.
My concern here is that if other owners purchase these plates for security to stop the towbar being stolen is there a possibility that because of the modification they may miss a potentially disastrous fault.
I wonder if this modification by addition of the locking plate is in any way approved and if anything were to happen would this modification be covered under the vehicles insurance policy.
I read in one of the posts that one owner had to fit larger washers to stop the 12 mm bolt coming through the hole in the fixing, which makes me wonder is this adapted fixing area fit for purpose if exposed to additional stress loading.
Im sure Land Rover states somewhere that the detachable towbar should be removed from the vehicle when not in use.
Having done my own risk assessment into the possibility of the failure of the detachable towbar have concluded that the risk is too great and in order to remove the risk completely have today had a fixed Land Rover approved towbar fitted, admittedly it doesn’t look as good but at least my caravan or trailer won’t be parting company with the tow vehicle.
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