Member Since: 15 Jul 2014
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 703
Off roading with a fixed towbar
My 08my Discovery has a fixed tow bar that looks like it has been fitted from new, I have no keys for it and removing it looks like a complete . Has anyone got any experience of how much it's presence restricts the car's off road capability? With the ongoing problems of loose removable towbars this may be a problem that more and more forum members experience, has anyone experimented with any form of skid plate under the fixed towbar to avoid it acting as a ground anchor when the departure angle gets a bit steep?
Is this a product that Uncle Ray may be interested in developing?
1997 Defender 90 for the kids and I to have a go at some competitive off road RTV and Tyro trials, daughter picked up her first trophy over the August Bank Holiday.
Previous Land Rover history
1996 P38 4.6 V8 Autobiography
1996 Discovery TDi 300
1972 Range Rover 3.5 V8
LWB Hard Top Series 3
LWB Truck Cab Series 2A
Not been without a Land Rover for over 40 years - I must need therapy!
25th Apr 2015 12:18 am
amazing
Member Since: 05 Mar 2011
Location: chengdu
Posts: 1542
there is a hopper attachment so you can sow as you plough.
I have offroaded (defender) with fixed and normally the descents are the issue(I guess you drop down steeper than you climb) and you may find the pough digs in a lot. on rocks this can cause the rear to lose a bit grip but the front will drag it off..sounds awful but never had real damage.
if you fail a steep climb and reverse back it may dig deep and you may get stuckIt is better to have and not need it then need and not have it.
25th Apr 2015 4:21 am
Willy Eckerslike
Member Since: 12 Jan 2009
Location: N Yorks
Posts: 1612
I'm looking at fitting one of these go to fitting instructions for a better view
Member Since: 07 Nov 2013
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 840
Mine acted like a plough the first time I went off road with it and it ploughed that well i got well and truly stuck. The guys I was with said If I didn't have the tow bar on, I would've got out.
I have a lowering plate on mine which i have removed to give an extra inch or so clearance. This has made all the difference so far.
There is a school of thought that says, having a tow bar protects the rear bumper and stops it from being pulled off.D3 HSE TDV6 Auto. Bonatti Grey.
Mods:
V8 Brake upgrade (front Only), Full height Luggage guard, Rubber mats all round, RLD spare wheel protector, Terra Firma Steering and Transmission guard, Smoooooth Nappa steering wheel, Clock on dash and Reverse home lights. National Luna split charge system, front and rear light guards, Danhag GSM (on loan), JE stage 1 remap... Zero money
25th Apr 2015 6:54 am
Biffysun
Member Since: 09 Jul 2011
Location: Central
Posts: 1790
I have one of these, I like them but don't do off-roading
Member Since: 01 Aug 2005
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 2576
I found it very useful for protecting the bumper. It sort of clears & levels the ground nicely before the lip of the bumper catches.
If you're planning on regularly using every last mm of clearance, I'd suggest a Defender Long succession of Disco's since 2001...
SIII Lightweight - neglected & rusting. Bulkhead, A panels, vent panel & outriggers now disintegrated - Next years project!
25th Apr 2015 6:58 am
Willy Eckerslike
Member Since: 12 Jan 2009
Location: N Yorks
Posts: 1612
But when you run out of ground clearance on a Defender it doesn't jack its self up to get clearClub Pie n Pea
One life....Fish it
D3 Gone but not forgotten
Club Men of Oak
Club Walnut sniffers
D4 Van owner
Ents long lost Uncle
25th Apr 2015 7:12 am
DaveT
Member Since: 01 Aug 2005
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 2576
Willy Eckerslike wrote:
I'm looking at fitting one of these go to fitting instructions for a better view
Ooh, just looked at that link .. that looks a great design, better than LR's fixed one.
Would love to see one fittedLong succession of Disco's since 2001...
SIII Lightweight - neglected & rusting. Bulkhead, A panels, vent panel & outriggers now disintegrated - Next years project!
25th Apr 2015 9:17 am
nearlee
Member Since: 15 Dec 2012
Location: where the sheep are scared
Posts: 1777
i'm going through the same at the moment, I tow a lot but don't go too mental off the road, but I don't like the LR version either as it looks a lot unwheeledly
25th Apr 2015 12:18 pm
Biffysun
Member Since: 09 Jul 2011
Location: Central
Posts: 1790
Pics of mine, I think it looks quite neat and a decent buy at £166 8)
Could do with a wash but you get the idea
25th Apr 2015 8:36 pm
Willy Eckerslike
Member Since: 12 Jan 2009
Location: N Yorks
Posts: 1612
Thanks now i've seen the pictures my fixed towbars coming off and I'm getting one of them Club Pie n Pea
One life....Fish it
D3 Gone but not forgotten
Club Men of Oak
Club Walnut sniffers
D4 Van owner
Ents long lost Uncle
25th Apr 2015 8:42 pm
MGCarr
Member Since: 15 Jul 2014
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 703
Thanks for the responses everyone, I too like the look of that fixed towbar.
1997 Defender 90 for the kids and I to have a go at some competitive off road RTV and Tyro trials, daughter picked up her first trophy over the August Bank Holiday.
Previous Land Rover history
1996 P38 4.6 V8 Autobiography
1996 Discovery TDi 300
1972 Range Rover 3.5 V8
LWB Hard Top Series 3
LWB Truck Cab Series 2A
Not been without a Land Rover for over 40 years - I must need therapy!
Optical illusion - or is the ball centre lower than the LR removable one?A vaccine does not stop you catching a virus, or passing it on, or getting ill from it, really ill. It does reduce the likelyhood of you dying when really, really ill. Stay Alive - KEEP AWAY FROM PEOPLE.
29th Apr 2015 8:39 am
Kingmav66
Member Since: 20 Jul 2010
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 1349
I've had an LR fixed tow-bar on mine for the last 4 years, it's never hindered me
29th Apr 2015 9:07 am
nearlee
Member Since: 15 Dec 2012
Location: where the sheep are scared
Posts: 1777
@navigator.
Could well be, but there is adjustment to go up by the look of it
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. Has anyone got any experience of how much it's presence restricts the car's off road capability? With the ongoing problems of loose removable towbars this may be a problem that more and more forum members experience, has anyone experimented with any form of skid plate under the fixed towbar to avoid it acting as a ground anchor when the departure angle gets a bit steep?
I have one of these, I like them but don't do off-roading 
