Member Since: 09 Nov 2006
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 1600
Towing with the detachable Towbar
I've used the detachable bar to carry bikes without issue but now have to tow a horsebox. Is the detachable bar reliable enough for this or should I get a fixed one. Does anyone tow tintents, trailers or boxes with the detachable regularly? I've read some posts elsewhere that suggest it could detach in mid tow.
Thoughts anyone?
9th May 2011 9:47 pm
maplecottage
Member Since: 01 Feb 2011
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 3171
Re: Towing with the detachable Towbar
Alex08 wrote:
............ Does anyone tow tintents, trailers or boxes with the detachable regularly? ..........
I dont think they can take it as an every day tow bar even the L R Ass said he dosnt trust them too.
9th May 2011 9:52 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50971
Re: Towing with the detachable Towbar
Alex08 wrote:
I've read some posts elsewhere that suggest it could detach in mid tow.
Not aware of this TBH ...but the detachable bar is rated for the full towing specification of the vehicle 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
9th May 2011 9:53 pm
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
the detachable is fine - rated at 3500kgs. I tow my twin axle without any problems and have done for the past 5 years.
nowhere do LR say it isnt suitable - just gimpoids spreading unsubstantiated opinionsDuncan
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9th May 2011 10:04 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26748
No problems here. I have towed a 1450kg twin axle with the same detachable tow hitch for the past 6 1/2 years. Its as good as the first time I used it.
I take it off when not used, as it can seize in position if left in the salt. I spray WD40 up the hole each time I use it to help it all click together.
9th May 2011 10:07 pm
cold_n_wet
Member Since: 05 May 2009
Location: Bergen
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Dragged 2600kg plus on mine.
Dont worry its up to the job.
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9th May 2011 10:26 pm
domlandy1
Member Since: 21 Feb 2011
Location: lake vyrnwy
Posts: 253
Now that's a trailer!!!
9th May 2011 10:29 pm
J@mes
Member Since: 10 Nov 2008
Location: Bomber County
Posts: 4547
Where did you read that they were unreliable?? Got to admit i've never heard that one before. Wasn't jealous defender owners was it? He he2014 D4 XS
2005 D3 SE - Gone
9th May 2011 10:40 pm
Alex08
Member Since: 09 Nov 2006
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 1600
Thanks guys - that is all reassuring as Mrs A would be unimpressed by her prize ponies heading off down a hill away from the car.....
Imagine claiming there are problems with Land Rover Products....
9th May 2011 10:50 pm
AndrewW
Member Since: 06 Aug 2007
Location: Saddleworth
Posts: 2302
But that was a Jeep (he said ) towing a trailor with a twobar.
Guess you have to make sure you lubricated as per Gareth, and fitted it soundly...
Caravanned for 4 years no problem.
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10th May 2011 12:56 am
Disco_Mikey
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20786
Ill be honest, I have seen it a few times now... For whatever reason, the towbar moves very slightly inside the hole it fits in, and over time wears away the towbar itself and the hole...
If you are doing a lot of 'heavy' towing, then personally, I would have a multi-height bar, as the extra bracing bars prevent any movement at all...My D3 Build Thread
Member Since: 15 Feb 2006
Location: The Magic Roundabout
Posts: 1392
A guy I know does a lot of towing with his RRS using the detachable tow bar & one day the trailer detached from the vehicle & somersaulted over the ditch. Luckily no one was coming the other way, or it could have been much worse. When he climbed into the field, there was the tow bar still attached to the trailer. It had literally ripped out of the back of the RRS. He had always left the tow bar on the RRS, so it wouldn't have got worn from repeated attaching & detaching. This would have also ruled out the possibility of him having not fitted it correctly on the day in question, which was my first thought when I heard about the "incident" It seems it had worn loose just from towing !!!
So I'd be very much inclined to go along with what Disco_Mikey said. If you're going to be doing heavy towing on an ongoing basis, you'd be better with the fixed tow bar. Personally I've never trusted the detachable tow bar, for anything other than occasional light towing. I had one on the RRS which was only used once or twice, but on the workhorse D3's I've never had anything other than the fixed tow bar. It's just a much more solid job.
Last edited by zebadee on 10th May 2011 9:27 am. Edited 2 times in total
10th May 2011 9:19 am
J@mes
Member Since: 10 Nov 2008
Location: Bomber County
Posts: 4547
Well I'll eat my words. That is worrying!2014 D4 XS
2005 D3 SE - Gone
10th May 2011 9:21 am
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50971
I wonder if anyone has reported these cases back to LR ...afterall if they aren't aware there is a potential issue then nothing will change. These things have to achieve type approval so they should be man enough for it.21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
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...but the detachable bar is rated for the full towing specification of the vehicle 
