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Red Merle
Member Since: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Liskeard
Posts: 7438
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| Question relating to tow bars... |
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I've been looking to sort out a tow bar for my new D4 ready for when it arrives.
I'd like the fixed tow bar, rather than the detachable variety. I asked my dealer for a cost today and (in round figures) it's £564 for tow bar alone, fitted, with a further £223 for the electrics. So, I went researching.....
It would appear that the standard fit tow bar is a Thule item, like this one at £273.60:
http://www.devon4x4.com/index.php?page=sho...;Itemid=14
While it would appear that Witter do their own version for £174.99:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141718516819?_tr...EBIDX%3AIT
In addition, electrical kits can be bought for around £110.10:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Land-Rover-Disco...1701730043
So, my questions for all of you helpful people out their are:
1. Okay, it looks just like the OEM kit (and Thule make some really nice stuff), but is the Thule bar worth spending an extra £99 on over and above the cost of the Witter?
2. Does fitting the electrical kit involve any serious wiring (involving anything more than simply joining electrical connectors) or ECU enabling, that would mean that it's worth spending as extra £125 to get the dealer to do it for me?
Thanks in advance - your help is appreciated!  2011 - 2015: 3 x FL2
2015 - 2017: 2 x D4
2017 to date: FFRR SDV8
2023 to date: FL2 as a second car
2021 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200
2022 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200 & sidecar!
(One of only two known to exist in the world!)
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 26th Jul 2015 6:26 pm |
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RDR
Member Since: 24 Mar 2013
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 2260
 
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Hi Red Merle.
Im having the Fixed Towbar and Electrics fitted to mine by the dealer. Have you got the blind spot system spec'd on your order? If so I think the Radar in the bumper makes the fitting of the electrics a bit more tricky and may increase fitting costs so be aware. My dealer has agreed to fit at no cost but said its a bit of the pain now I think they actually remove the bumper to do it  was a 20min job on my D3!
R MY06 S - Gone but not forgotten
MY12 HSE - Gone
MY16 HSE Luxury - Sold
MY20 D5 HSE - Sold
Current RR L460 PHEV
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| 26th Jul 2015 7:55 pm |
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Red Merle
Member Since: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Liskeard
Posts: 7438
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Thanks RDR.
No blind spot detection for me, so hopefully that's good news as far as the electricals are concerned 2011 - 2015: 3 x FL2
2015 - 2017: 2 x D4
2017 to date: FFRR SDV8
2023 to date: FL2 as a second car
2021 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200
2022 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200 & sidecar!
(One of only two known to exist in the world!)
Last edited by Red Merle on 26th Jul 2015 8:24 pm. Edited 2 times in total
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| 26th Jul 2015 8:05 pm |
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Chris b
Member Since: 09 Apr 2014
Location: barnsley
Posts: 31
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Try a company called pf jones, they are originally diesel specialist but I got a full electrics kit and detachable OEM for just over £300 delivered, plugs straight in so no faffing with electrics D4 XS Fuji white, leccy seats, armrests, dog guard, camera, rse, basically a HSE but without sunroofs 
Gone  my beloved D2 ES "Tara", niagra grey, DVD, General Grabber AT2s, pro sport wheels, facelift "A" bar, oasis side steps, dog guard, de-egr'd.
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| 26th Jul 2015 8:16 pm |
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Robse
Member Since: 10 Jun 2014
Location: Cambridgeshire
Posts: 498
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Hi I've recently been through all this. I got the dealer to fit the electrics in the end. They do need to be activated and on the newer disco's the rear bumper has to come off !! Velar MY18 D180 S Narvik
Discovery MY2015 3.0 SDV6 SE Corris - Gone
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| 26th Jul 2015 8:21 pm |
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Red Merle
Member Since: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Liskeard
Posts: 7438
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Chris b wrote:Try a company called pf jones, they are originally diesel specialist but I got a full electrics kit and detachable OEM for just over £300 delivered, plugs straight in so no faffing with electrics
That was definitely worth a go but, looking at their site, it seems that (unfortunately) they don't deal with the height adjustable tow bars.
http://www.pfjones.co.uk/tow-bars/towbars-...wbars.html
Thanks anyway 2011 - 2015: 3 x FL2
2015 - 2017: 2 x D4
2017 to date: FFRR SDV8
2023 to date: FL2 as a second car
2021 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200
2022 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200 & sidecar!
(One of only two known to exist in the world!)
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| 26th Jul 2015 8:26 pm |
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Red Merle
Member Since: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Liskeard
Posts: 7438
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Robse wrote:Hi I've recently been through all this. I got the dealer to fit the electrics in the end. They do need to be activated and on the newer disco's the rear bumper has to come off !!
I'm tempted to leave the electrical work with them, if only to get them activated and ensure that there's never any sharing of the blame for electrical faults in future. 2011 - 2015: 3 x FL2
2015 - 2017: 2 x D4
2017 to date: FFRR SDV8
2023 to date: FL2 as a second car
2021 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200
2022 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200 & sidecar!
(One of only two known to exist in the world!)
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| 26th Jul 2015 8:28 pm |
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John-in bsly
Member Since: 30 Nov 2009
Location: barnsley south yorkshire
Posts: 37
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Hi Red Merle
Just come across your post, not sure if you are sorted.
I have just had a Land Rover OE fixed tow bar fitted by dealer to my D4 as goodwill for oil leak problem. I had purchased the electrics 13 pin to fit myself and from reading the instructions its is not difficult. The instructions do show removing back bumper but I'm told that most mechanics never do as it easy to thread through along the cross member. It does however need to be configured into the vehicle and I believe this also activates the towing stability assist and disables reverse sensors when trailer/van attached, so you will need someone with test book kit.
As far as fixed tow bar is concerned its not necessary to have OE from Land Rover but get one that is the same design. It needs to fit into the detachable docking port and then bolted to chassis. If you are handy with spanners and have time not difficult to do,ideal if you have access to ramp the nuts and bolts need high torque for obvious reasons
Not on the sell but if you are not fixed up my brother has one going spare(which I was going to fit) Land Rover original in good condition. Picture of mine in my images.
Think he wants £100 plus postage.
Hope this helps John T I'm not arguing, I'm simply explaining why I'm right!
1994 300 tdi in Niagra grey
2006 D3 in Zambezi silver
2015 D4 in Corris grey
2024 defender 110 xs silicon silver has some big boots to fill
Planet X 29 Lurcher in black
Planet X Lynskey titanium Sportive in.... titanium
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| 4th Aug 2015 10:41 pm |
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Red Merle
Member Since: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Liskeard
Posts: 7438
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Thanks for that John
I'm pretty certain that I'm going to get the dealer to fit the electrics now, not only to avoid warranty disputes, but I'm sure they'd charge me much of my saving to do what they have to do to "enable" the towing functions 
I may have got a new tow bar sorted; I'll know for sure by Friday. If that one falls through, I would be interested in your brother's one. May I come back to you on that?
John. 2011 - 2015: 3 x FL2
2015 - 2017: 2 x D4
2017 to date: FFRR SDV8
2023 to date: FL2 as a second car
2021 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200
2022 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200 & sidecar!
(One of only two known to exist in the world!)
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| 5th Aug 2015 7:00 am |
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John-in bsly
Member Since: 30 Nov 2009
Location: barnsley south yorkshire
Posts: 37
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Hi
Yes of course no problem You probably are right on the electrics. They simply plug into the loom at the back of the rear nearside lamp cluster, the harness comes in two pieces and that plugs together. Hardest part would be removing the two large rubber grommets and getting the new ones in place, but like you say it still has to go in to be configured.
Have you considered the old style grey and black plugs or new EU 13 pin single plug. I opted for new EU 13 pin as our new van has this system.
No problem on the tow bar, have't told my bro yet  but I know he has no use for it. He's awaiting delivery of a new Porsche Macan swish  If you do need it, may be courier system may be of use.
Let me know as and when. We are away on holiday Saturday for three weeks.
When is your delivery date you must be getting excited.
John T I'm not arguing, I'm simply explaining why I'm right!
1994 300 tdi in Niagra grey
2006 D3 in Zambezi silver
2015 D4 in Corris grey
2024 defender 110 xs silicon silver has some big boots to fill
Planet X 29 Lurcher in black
Planet X Lynskey titanium Sportive in.... titanium
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| 5th Aug 2015 4:34 pm |
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Red Merle
Member Since: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Liskeard
Posts: 7438
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Hello John,
I don't own a caravan, but I like having the ability to tow absolutely anything at short notice! Box trailers for work, open trailers and on occasion, a horse box! It's highly likely that anything I tow will only require a 7 pin plug, but I'm going to fit 13 pin and use a 7 pin adapter on the grounds that everything is likely to keep moving towards 13 pin, so I might as well future proof the car and eventually throw away the adapter, rather than have to change the wiring loom!
I've just found out today that the MY15 cars onwards need a slightly different tow bar to the pre MY15 cars. May I ask if your brother's D4 was an early or late model?
The delivery date is a sad tale I was due to pick it up tomorrow afternoon, but the dealer made a mistake on the order and got the colour wrong. Delivery has now been put back to an unknown date in October. Still, on the upside, they are lending me an HSE Luxury for the next 5 days, by way of saying "sorry!". Getting pretty excited about picking that one up though 
Blimey, I hope I like it!  I'll be driving it to and from Beaulieu on Sunday / Monday (7 hour return trip), so I'll have plenty of time to find out.... 2011 - 2015: 3 x FL2
2015 - 2017: 2 x D4
2017 to date: FFRR SDV8
2023 to date: FL2 as a second car
2021 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200
2022 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200 & sidecar!
(One of only two known to exist in the world!)
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| 5th Aug 2015 5:10 pm |
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dubbs
Member Since: 18 Apr 2012
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 3626
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Fit yourself, took me an hour with blind spot detection in the way and not removing the rear bumper but it was fiddly. Definitely not £125 fiddly.
It will work without needing anything else enabled although in theory you should also have the ecu updated as well. MY15 DIY Black Pack (Better than factory and half the price!)
Prospeed rock/tree sliders w/steps
HSE Winter wheels
TransK9 B24
Travall Cargo Guard
Hatchbag
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| 5th Aug 2015 6:22 pm |
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Robse
Member Since: 10 Jun 2014
Location: Cambridgeshire
Posts: 498
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So you didn't fit the bracket behind the bumper that stops the connectors flapping about ? Velar MY18 D180 S Narvik
Discovery MY2015 3.0 SDV6 SE Corris - Gone
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| 5th Aug 2015 6:57 pm |
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John-in bsly
Member Since: 30 Nov 2009
Location: barnsley south yorkshire
Posts: 37
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Hi Red Merle
Brothers D4 was 2009,so is probably no use to you. Do know what the difference is? we would have been fitting or trying to fit this to mine 
doesn't seem that long since he got it,then he changed again after 2 years. Time waits for no man.
What is wrong with dealers down in Cornwall or does it happen all over country. What was the wrong colour?..canary yellow  Thats a scary thought, a bright yellow Disco.
John T I'm not arguing, I'm simply explaining why I'm right!
1994 300 tdi in Niagra grey
2006 D3 in Zambezi silver
2015 D4 in Corris grey
2024 defender 110 xs silicon silver has some big boots to fill
Planet X 29 Lurcher in black
Planet X Lynskey titanium Sportive in.... titanium
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| 5th Aug 2015 7:35 pm |
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Red Merle
Member Since: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Liskeard
Posts: 7438
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Not sure of the difference between the 'bars, but I've spoken to Thule and Witter and they both insist that different versions are needed but as to why, that's a mystery...  Shame really, otherwise that would have been ideal!
The difference was the colour of the inside. Ordered Almond, got black We both really like light coloured interiors, which is just as well when you've got a mostly white, long haired, dog And light coloured interiors and privacy glass help keep the car cool; if you have a dog with you, more often than not, then making sure that the car never, ever, gets hot becomes a science! 2011 - 2015: 3 x FL2
2015 - 2017: 2 x D4
2017 to date: FFRR SDV8
2023 to date: FL2 as a second car
2021 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200
2022 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200 & sidecar!
(One of only two known to exist in the world!)
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| 5th Aug 2015 7:59 pm |
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