So I came to my car today to find my detachable tow bar had been stolen. I never had the key for it as it never came with the car. Are these tow bars easy for people to steal because I want to buy another one and don't fancy it being stolen again?
I don't use it for towing I only kept it as I liked the look of it and felt people won't want to park or drive too close to me. I want to buy another one but don't want a permanently fixed one. Is there a way I can make it theft proof when I fit the new one on so it can't be stolen?
I bet my spare wheel would have been stolen had it not been for my anti theft plate underneath.
Thanks.Discovery 3 HSE 2007
7th Jul 2017 5:48 pm
Azzybee
Member Since: 04 Jul 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 287
Sorry has may one got one for sale?Discovery 3 HSE 2007
7th Jul 2017 5:49 pm
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
You can make/buy plates to secure the towball once fitted
7th Jul 2017 7:34 pm
galwaygreen
Member Since: 30 Oct 2011
Location: plymouth
Posts: 6525
only put it on when towing....they do get nicked regular...and its easy too..and get an uncle ray..cus they nick spares as well
7th Jul 2017 8:18 pm
JMack
Member Since: 02 Aug 2014
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 1517
It's only meant to be fitted when it's being used, occasionally.
And it's pretty easy to remove without the keys if you know how.
7th Jul 2017 9:04 pm
Notanotherhobby
Member Since: 18 May 2016
Location: Middlesbrough
Posts: 39
I wish I knew how to remove my tow ball. Although I have the key, it won't operate, it is so corroded it is now a permanent fixture. The previous owner doesn't appear to ever have removed the tow ball.
7th Jul 2017 9:37 pm
Azzybee
Member Since: 04 Jul 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 287
Bloody hell!!!
Didn't realise how much these tow bars are going for.
Is there a not a cheaper one available even if I have to secure it on permanently (that is the same size as the detachable one)?
Why would these be so expensive?Discovery 3 HSE 2007
8th Jul 2017 12:04 am
tayaste
Member Since: 15 May 2013
Location: Chester
Posts: 7633
Sounds like you need a fixed one.
8th Jul 2017 7:27 am
Ja92mie
Member Since: 16 Sep 2014
Location: Newquay
Posts: 1259
Yeah I agree, get a fixed one
8th Jul 2017 7:55 am
JimmyP
Member Since: 26 Jul 2013
Location: Walsall
Posts: 218
Azzybee wrote:
Bloody hell!!!
Didn't realise how much these tow bars are going for.
Is there a not a cheaper one available even if I have to secure it on permanently (that is the same size as the detachable one)?
Why would these be so expensive?
I haven't got round to listing it yet but I've got a detachable one for sale, comes with both keys. PM me if you're interested.Previously owned an '08 D3 HSE in Stornoway grey but jumped ship to see what the Swedes have to offer.
10th Jul 2017 10:46 am
kayble
Member Since: 01 Aug 2015
Location: Lincolnshire
Posts: 147
Almost first thing I did was remove the fixed towbar from my car - because with the chassis braces removed, it's still a detachable part. cleaned and lubed and put in the loft when I come to sell the car, as I don't expect to tow with it.
removable part was of course still corroded in so had figure out how to persuade it free.
That didn't stop me leaving my car unlocked one night and having someone go through it - fortuantely I think they were just looking for something to take (there wasn't anything) and with it unlocked it wasn't damaged...
10th Jul 2017 11:39 am
Azzybee
Member Since: 04 Jul 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 287
Hi.
I'm looking to purchase another tow ball and wanted to know if anyone had a link to where I could buy the plate that prevents/makes it harder to steal te tow ball? I was thinking if I had a plate to cover it and bolted it in with some sort safety bolt that needs a special tool but to open it then it would make it a lot harder to remove and maybe prevent it from being stolen again.
Thanks guys.Discovery 3 HSE 2007
14th Jul 2017 8:20 am
Luapno
Member Since: 27 Sep 2013
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 871
the simple answer is don't leave it installed !
there should be a holder for it in the nearside boot panel to store it when not in use
If you want to leave a tow bar attached get a fixed oneWhen you are dead, you do not know you are dead. All of the pain is felt by others. The same thing happens when you are stupid.
14th Jul 2017 8:41 am
rrhool
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4398
I keep my detachable tow bar stowed in the proper holder in the car. I tow a couple of times a month, it only takes 5 mins to put the tow bar on.
It's not worth leaving on. There are plenty of threads on here about towbars being stolen, or 'falling off'.Richard
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
Discovery 2 4.0 ES 2001- Gone
Discovery 1 300Tdi ES '95 - Gone
Range Rover Classic '79 - Gone
14th Jul 2017 9:15 am
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 13805
Get a fixed tow bar. New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!)
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231,000 miles and counting
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