Member Since: 13 Feb 2021
Location: Newbridge
Posts: 8
Best tow bar for off road use??
Hi All
I've just joined the site and look forward to reading loads of stuff.
I've been a Disco owner since about 2004 when I bought a 1996 D1 commercial, which I lifted and toured Morocco. I then bought a D3 commercial new in 2007, and currently own a 5-seater D4 that I bought from new in 2014.
I'm looking at getting rid of "the plough", and fitting a brilliant high sitting tow bar for using off road, which will give me good approach and departure angles.
I'm also just about to embark on building an off road camping trailer lockdown project. Great craic!
Anyway, back to the tow bar...I'm all ears for suggestions. Been looking at the Rhino receiver USA hitch (bit fiddly), Frontrunner (gets rid of recovery point) and the G4 one from SA.
Looking forward to hearing everyones' consensus, as I'm sure this is an often discussed topic.
Thanks in advance!
Arjan
13th Feb 2021 1:31 pm
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8088
Original detachable, take it off when off roading It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
13th Feb 2021 2:20 pm
arjandelaney
Member Since: 13 Feb 2021
Location: Newbridge
Posts: 8
Simple as that yeah??!!
My problem is; on an odd occasion I need to pull a stock trailer, and have heard horror stories of the detachable ones sending your trailer overtaking you D4 on the motorway.
What are others thinking is the best option for a permanently fixed one, or am I mad and the detachable ones are grand?
13th Feb 2021 3:49 pm
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 13901
I used to tow plant at max limit. I would never have trusted the removable. I towed with a paper LR fixed Towbar across all sorts of terrain off road and found it excellent. I even pulled a 16t truck out of the mud and up a lane for a mile with it. New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!)
Sold Volvo XC90 R-Design (known as Basil)
Sold - D4 HSE (Known as Gerty)
No longer the Old Buses original owner
231,000 miles and counting
05 S manual owned from March 2005
D4 Face lifted
Still original injectors and turbo
V8 Front brakes
BAS Remap, Allisport Intercooler and deCat
EGRs blanked
T-Max split charge
Hanibal Expeedition rack
Prospeed ladder
Duratrac tyres
IID BT
BAS FBH control
13th Feb 2021 3:59 pm
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23364
arjandelaney wrote:
Simple as that yeah??!!
My problem is; on an odd occasion I need to pull a stock trailer, and have heard horror stories of the detachable ones sending your trailer overtaking you D4 on the motorway.
What are others thinking is the best option for a permanently fixed one, or am I mad and the detachable ones are grand?
I always removed the detachable tow bar when not in use, greased the socket and kept the read plastic plug on place (secured by drilling a small hole in it and feeding a cable tie through it, as they have a habit of dropping out).
I used to occasionally tow a fully laden twin axle plant trailer for a friend. I never had any concerns. A fixed tow bar can act like a plough when off roading and the rear crumple zone can be less efficient with one in place.
Having said that, if I had towed on a regular basis, I’d have fitted a fixed tow bar.2006 D3 HSE (Original & still the best)-GONE
2010 D4 HSE (A bit bling)-GONE
2014 D4 HSE (Almost too bling)-GONE
2015 D4 HSE (A heated what?)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Written Off)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Surely the last!) PD1881 rims-GONE
2017 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography
13th Feb 2021 4:15 pm
Dr Jones
Member Since: 20 Feb 2012
Location: Pretoria
Posts: 55
the detachable on my 2005 became quite loose. LRSA twice confirmed in writing that they in SA are blissfully unaware of any tow bar recall. Having had the FR one in 2012 for a few months and passed it on to a friend, I settled on the G4 one about 18 months ago. I will highly recommend this piece of kit.
13th Feb 2021 5:10 pm
riverblanche
Member Since: 31 Aug 2010
Location: retford'ish
Posts: 2210
Moo wrote:
I towed with a paper LR fixed .
I used a Removable on a D3 and 2 RRS for our tintenting and the recovery eye for any laning
as you mention "Odd Occasion" then I would go with the removable if you do Looooots of towing then it sounds like all you need is a fixed Paper one
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23364
Whichever one you decide on, make a note to check it regularly.2006 D3 HSE (Original & still the best)-GONE
2010 D4 HSE (A bit bling)-GONE
2014 D4 HSE (Almost too bling)-GONE
2015 D4 HSE (A heated what?)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Written Off)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Surely the last!) PD1881 rims-GONE
2017 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography
13th Feb 2021 7:05 pm
nigethecat
Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: Marnoch
Posts: 4144
I guess with a paper one you could just fold it away!
I’ve towed my large tin tent, various builders trailers and numerous car trailers with a detachable one. As others have said, if you maintain it (and the socket) then it should be fine. If you don’t want a fully detachable one then I’m selling a Witter one that just uses two bolts and the socket, easy enough to take off and out back on for off reading...I want to see the sweets before I get into your windowless van... I'm not stupid!
Corris Grey D4 Commercial SE 2016
Zermatt Sliver 2007 D3 SE manual (gone)
Indus Silver D4 HSE 2015 (gone)
Bonatti Grey D3 HSE 2006 (gone)
White D3 S (LHD) 2007 (gone)
Firenze Red D4 HSE 2014 (gone)
Black RRS 3.6TDV8 2008 (gone)
Rusty Green Defender 110 1997 (gone)
Black FL2 HSE 2013 (gone)
13th Feb 2021 7:05 pm
BadgerWazzala
Member Since: 12 Dec 2020
Location: UK
Posts: 32
I fitted at brink fixed towbar and use the Disco properly on a daily basis, I wouldn't worry about the towbar affecting your off-road ability, the Disco will simply pull or push
any earth along that gets in it's way.
Have a gander at the image I uploaded
13th Feb 2021 7:09 pm
garrycol
Member Since: 06 Dec 2010
Location: Canberra
Posts: 1115
A Mitchell Brothers Hitch from Australia - rated for 350kg ball weight and tow 3500Kg.
14th Feb 2021 1:13 am
Nikki
Member Since: 10 Mar 2015
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 140
Tow fitting
Guys, the fitting was changed after the D3 and early D4s2003 D2a Auto TD5 good Landy gone
2015 D4 probably the most amazing yet, why get a RR?
14th Feb 2021 1:14 am
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 13901
I don’t think they are legal in the UK.New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!)
Sold Volvo XC90 R-Design (known as Basil)
Sold - D4 HSE (Known as Gerty)
No longer the Old Buses original owner
231,000 miles and counting
05 S manual owned from March 2005
D4 Face lifted
Still original injectors and turbo
V8 Front brakes
BAS Remap, Allisport Intercooler and deCat
EGRs blanked
T-Max split charge
Hanibal Expeedition rack
Prospeed ladder
Duratrac tyres
IID BT
BAS FBH control
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