Member Since: 24 Apr 2017
Location: London
Posts: 20
Advice regarding tow bars
Hello,
I'm looking at buying a D4, and a major part of the decision is because we have recently bought a caravan and I want a bigger car to pull it.
I've seen a D4 for sale and it has a tow bar already fitted, but it looks strange and I don't understand why it's been fitted in this way. Here's a picture of the car, it's a 61 plate 2012 D4.
Click image to enlarge
From what I saw on a different D4 (admittedly a newer model) there's a tow bar mount already fitted to the car which can accept a detachable ball. Looking at the picture I have two questions (relating to the numbers on the picture)
1. why would the electrics have been mounted next to the ball and not in the covered section designed to house them?
2. why install the "bar" under the back of the car when a mount is already provided?
I'm interested in buying the car but would prefer to have a detachable ball and to hide the electrics in to the proper place.
Thanks for any help you can give.
Anthony
24th Apr 2017 9:59 pm
armalites
Member Since: 17 Aug 2013
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 1918
That's a Tow Trust bar, in my opinion it the best bar out there for a D3/D4 if you don't need removable. I'm guessing someone moved extended the electrics as they got sick of keep taking the cover off.IID PRO
MSV Extreme
Nanocom One
24th Apr 2017 10:12 pm
Mikeyb
Member Since: 08 Nov 2016
Location: Maldon, Essex
Posts: 515
detatchable bars have a habit of falling off or getting nicked!
do a forum search on towbar recall...Not such a Disco Newbie now!
IID BT
24th Apr 2017 10:15 pm
smaskins
Member Since: 16 Jun 2009
Location: SE London/Kent
Posts: 295
& it looks like it has non matching rear tyres 😕
24th Apr 2017 10:17 pm
nerdbiker
Member Since: 24 Apr 2017
Location: London
Posts: 20
Quote:
... in my opinion it the best bar out there for a D3/D4 if you don't need removable ...
Thanks for identifying it. Forgive my naivety, but would you mind explaining to me why it's a good tow bar?
As to the electrics I did think (as I wrote my post) that for a permanent bar it's probably just simpler to mount the electrics externally, rather than having to remove the bumper to install it
I will have to replace the electrics as it only has a 7 pin connector and I need a 13 pin for my caravan. So it's probably worth me leaving the bar as is and just upgrading the connector.
Last edited by nerdbiker on 24th Apr 2017 10:29 pm. Edited 1 time in total
24th Apr 2017 10:24 pm
nerdbiker
Member Since: 24 Apr 2017
Location: London
Posts: 20
Mikeyb wrote:
do a forum search on towbar recall...
Sounds worrying... will do. Thanks
24th Apr 2017 10:26 pm
nerdbiker
Member Since: 24 Apr 2017
Location: London
Posts: 20
smaskins wrote:
& it looks like it has non matching rear tyres 😕
Oh yes, I'd not noticed. Looks like that'll be another point to haggle over. Thanks.
24th Apr 2017 10:27 pm
mini8334
Member Since: 17 Jul 2014
Location: Tonbridge
Posts: 707
Tow trust detachable.... works well for me! I recommend....
Looks smart when not in use.
2016 D4 Landmark
Santorini Black
Removable Tow-Trust
Spare Wheel Guard
-------------
Previous:
2007 D3
TDV6 GS
Automatic
117000
Blanked EGR
V8 Brake Upgrade
Harming Sat Nav Mod
Beanie Grill
De-Tango
24th Apr 2017 10:30 pm
armalites
Member Since: 17 Aug 2013
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 1918
nerdbiker wrote:
Quote:
... in my opinion it the best bar out there for a D3/D4 if you don't need removable ...
Thanks for identifying it. Forgive my naivety, but would you mind explaining to me why it's a good tow bar?
They are a very solid,strong tow bar and they don't hang down like the factory or the Witter ones and look more discreet in my opinion. The other thing I like is the piece that fits in the chassis is manufactured and not cast. I've taken a Witter one off that had cracked and broken in two places. The only thing I would say against them is maybe the coating isn't the best. I fitted a couple and have coated them in waxoyl.
In response to point 2 in the first post even the fixed tow bars mount in the same hole as the removable but they have the extra bracing.
Removeable is fine if you treat as something you only having in when you have a trailer on and keep it clean/lubricated.IID PRO
MSV Extreme
Nanocom One
25th Apr 2017 12:24 am
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8094
It may have none oem electrics, they can be a source of problems, if you change them only use oem wiring looms, they are plug and play and marry into the rest of the cars sophisticated system It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
25th Apr 2017 8:47 am
Ja92mie
Member Since: 16 Sep 2014
Location: Newquay
Posts: 1259
I have a fixed Tow Trust.
25th Apr 2017 12:03 pm
galwaygreen
Member Since: 30 Oct 2011
Location: plymouth
Posts: 6525
removable one now only recommended for occasional towing (landrover official guidance) since the recall...and the removal ones are easy to nick....as is the spare wheel so get a spare wheel protector from uncle ray.
Member Since: 06 Jul 2012
Location: Beds/Bucks Border
Posts: 1877
Oh wow, any additional info? Was it yourself?MY2023 Discovery 5 R-Dynamic 3.0
MY2020 Discovery 5 Landmark 3.0 - SOLD
MY2005 Discovery 3 V8 4.4 HSE - SOLD
MY2019 Discovery 5 SE 3.0 - LR Replaced !
MY2005 Discovery 3 S 2.7 - SOLD
MY2016 Discovery 4 Graphite - SOLD
MY2015 Discovery 4 SE Tech - SOLD
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
