Member Since: 01 May 2020
Location: CHELTENHAM
Posts: 137
Fixed Tow bar
Hi All,
I have a fixed tow bar fitted that was on the car when i bought it. I have yet to tow with it as our van has been sited for some time and now it's time to move it on to somewhere new. Is there anything specific that would need checking on the tow bar prior to towing or just a case of ensuring all fixing bolts are tight?
Thanks
6th May 2021 6:09 pm
notyalc
Member Since: 07 Mar 2020
Location: Northumberland
Posts: 75
You need to make sure it’s at the right height.
Caravan needs to be level when hitched.
Remove any paint and or grease if you have a stabiliser hitch head.
6th May 2021 6:34 pm
nigethecat
Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: Marnoch
Posts: 4237
As you say check the bolts are tight, also check that nothing is missing or damaged. A quick squirt of WD40 on the bolts wouldn’t hurt. Check for excessive wear on the ball itself and decide if it’s a grease or no grease fitting (ie friction plate stabiliser)
Also check the electrics are working properly as they are more likely to be a problem than the dumb iron part
Have fun moving the van, low range might be a good option I want to see the sweets before I get into your windowless van... I'm not stupid!
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6th May 2021 6:37 pm
James W
Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Riyadh, KSA
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Last summer on a campsite in Wales we watched a guy moving a van that looked like it had been on a seasonal pitch for quite some time based on the vegetation growing under it and around it. I was impressed on how long he had to attack the caravan wheels with a sledgehammer to free up the seized brakes before it would roll not drag.
Eventually they went with a bang, he drove it out onto the main road without checking the wheel nuts, god knows if the brakes worked... I hope he wasn't going far D4 XS, gone, much loved, never forgotten
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6th May 2021 8:15 pm
desv8
Member Since: 01 May 2020
Location: CHELTENHAM
Posts: 137
Thanks for the advice Guys.
Had a chassis service done on the van via a mobile tech. Brakes changed so hoping for no need for lump hammer in that department. Also had tyres changed as they were well out off date so hopefully no issue in that department.
Towbar wiring on the other hand!! when i bought the car although the towbar was fitted it was missing the wiring. I bought some second hand origional wiring looms and fitted but never thought to actually check all was working last time we were at the van inbetween lock downs. Had no intention of moving the van so foolishly didn't bother checking Plus I would get very unimpressed glares if as soon as we got to site I started messing around with my car Think I might book something local to where it is for a couple of nights just to be on the safe side.
Will need to google the bar to ensure all is present. I've seen some fixed bars that appear to still have the green locking knob in place, Is the technical term Mines does not have this but appears to have a bolted clamp and spring that holds it in place
Nige, intrigued reference the low range, will need to learn more. When I towed with the D2 never thought to or needed to think about low range, hooked up, pointed and drove, up hill, down hill, on fields off fields no issues and kinda hoping the D3 will be the same.
What can possibly go wrong
8th May 2021 10:22 am
nigethecat
Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: Marnoch
Posts: 4237
Quote:
What can possibly go wrong Rolling with laughter Rolling with laughter
Please please please have this on video 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)
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8th May 2021 10:48 am
nigethecat
Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: Marnoch
Posts: 4237
desv8 wrote:
Nige, intrigued reference the low range, will need to learn more. When I towed with the D2 never thought to or needed to think about low range, hooked up, pointed and drove, up hill, down hill, on fields off fields no issues and kinda hoping the D3 will be the same.
You have the option of various different settings using the dial in the centre, using the "mud or grass" setting will give you low range and much greater "pulling power" for want of a better term...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)
8th May 2021 10:51 am
Gary_P
Member Since: 03 May 2016
Location: Kent
Posts: 1645
Not heard of a "Mud or grass" setting. Was this a setting on earlier models? Mine has "Grass, gravel and snow" and "Mud ruts" (as well as sand and rock crawl) settings.Gary
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8th May 2021 3:48 pm
nigethecat
Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: Marnoch
Posts: 4237
I meant one or the other, I'm sure the OP understands... it's also different for the OP as he has an early D3 rather than a late model D4I 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)
8th May 2021 5:05 pm
Gary_P
Member Since: 03 May 2016
Location: Kent
Posts: 1645
Understood, thanks. Gary
-------------------------------------------
Discovery 4 HSE 2016MY
8th May 2021 5:58 pm
desv8
Member Since: 01 May 2020
Location: CHELTENHAM
Posts: 137
If it dosen't stop raining I could be needing one or more of those settings!!
Anyway, bolts tight and nicley lubriacted, wiring checked and seems good with a meter.
Now the next little query!! The tow bar fitted is a Tow trust TL1. This seems to be a well regarded tow bar but I'm a little concerned reference the tow ball height. To the centre of the ball is 470mm. From the research I've done the height to the centre of ball looks like it should be 350-420mm. I've checked the suspension height and all seems good. Would anyone know what height the tow ball is on their vehicles with the TL1 tow bar? Is it worth getting a drop plate. I don't really want to be nose high on the caravan particulary being a TA. Vans on cornwall I'm in Gloucestershire so I'm not going to know if it's an issue until I go down to move it.
Might need a few extra slabs of beer to get the nose weight up a little.
Thanks all
18th May 2021 12:39 pm
nigethecat
Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: Marnoch
Posts: 4237
Using the same set up on my D4 my towball is 425mm from the ground, although I do have a plate fitted so maybe that's what your missing ? or is your ball mounted to the upper holes ?
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)
18th May 2021 1:53 pm
desv8
Member Since: 01 May 2020
Location: CHELTENHAM
Posts: 137
Thanks Nige. i'm definitely at 470mm to centre and on exactly the same set up as you with ball through the bottom holes.
I phoned Tow Trust for some advice and they said "sounds about right" I presumed as opposed to "About Wrong" asked the question about drop plate, they advised I couldn't fit one as the bar is certified without and unless the drop bar is tested with the bar the certification would not be valid? I always thought you could fit a drop bar to lower but not heighten the tow ball. If they are not permitted not sure why they are so readily available.
My thoughts now are maybe the wheels have been changed from 18-19" rims, would this cause the suspension to sit higher? or suspension calibration, maybe the back is slightly high. going to my local Indie to have heights checked to tomorrow. We will see.
We will see.
18th May 2021 6:20 pm
nigethecat
Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: Marnoch
Posts: 4237
Wheel size shouldn’t make a difference provided the tyre radius has been reduced with each increase ie 255/50/20 or 255/55/19 or 255/60/18.
Get your indie to check the suspension is set at the right height (or fit bigger wheels on the caravan )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)
18th May 2021 6:32 pm
RajahSTY
Member Since: 09 Nov 2021
Location: Peterborough
Posts: 49
Hello can I ask you a questions regarding tow bar set on your photos I have very similar (possibly same) anyway... I dont required it at all, so its gonna be disamble and hopefully will go to happy owner 😉 soninwould like to know what is approx cost of it, ofcourse if u don't mind to share that info
TiA
nigethecat wrote:
Using the same set up on my D4 my towball is 425mm from the ground, although I do have a plate fitted so maybe that's what your missing ? or is your ball mounted to the upper holes ?
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Think I might book something local to where it is for a couple of nights just to be on the safe side.
Mines does not have this but appears to have a bolted clamp and spring that holds it in place 
asked the question about drop plate, they advised I couldn't fit one as the bar is certified without and unless the drop bar is tested with the bar the certification would not be valid? I always thought you could fit a drop bar to lower but not heighten the tow ball. If they are not permitted not sure why they are so readily available.
