Advertise on DISCO3.CO.UK
Forum · Gallery · Wiki · Shop · Sponsors
DISCO3.CO.UK > General (D4)

Detachable Tow Bars
Post Reply  Down to end
Page 1 of 1
bobcropper
 


Member Since: 05 Mar 2012
Location: Widnes
Posts: 14

United Kingdom 2011 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 HSE Auto Santorini BlackDiscovery 4
Detachable Tow Bars

Click image to enlarge


Click image to enlarge

Landrover Discovery 3-4 Detachable Tow Bar arrester bracket
Having seen an increase in reports of these tow bars becoming detached whilst in use I decided to design an engineering solution to contain the situation should it happen to me. I’ve towed with this type of tow bar for the last 10 years and haven’t had any problems, my car also went in for the recall associated with them. Having said that, these reports planted a little seed of doubt in my mind, so I decided on a belts and braces approach so that if the locking mechanism should fail I have a secondary device to stop the tow bar detaching completely and losing my caravan.
The arrester bracket clamps to the tow bar and connects to the recovery eye by means of a stainless-steel shackle, and under normal circumstances is loose and does not interfere with the integrity of the Tow Bar or it’s locking mechanism. Should the locking mechanism fail the bracket will only allow the Tow Bar to drop by approximately 5mm so it’s still well located in the tapered receptacle.
This now gives me total peace of mind when towing and still allows me to remove it very easily when not in use.
Very Happy



 EngMan 

Last edited by bobcropper on 10th Sep 2017 7:32 am. Edited 1 time in total 
Post #18556829th Sep 2017 12:05 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Bar8
 


Member Since: 20 Jul 2017
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 6

England 

I like the look of this, are you selling them?

In the event of trouble I presume the bracket can sustain a downward force of 150kg (+safety margin)?
  
Post #18558299th Sep 2017 9:02 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
EMcC
 


Member Since: 10 Jul 2015
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 536

England 2015 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 SE Tech Auto Aintree GreenDiscovery 4

Now that would be a good proposition to put to the Dragons Den.
I'd be in.
  
Post #18558559th Sep 2017 10:34 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Send e-mail Reply with quote
Scottydog
 


Member Since: 03 Aug 2015
Location: Scotland
Posts: 377

Scotland 2015 Discovery 4 3.0 TDV6 HSE Lux Auto Mariana BlackDiscovery 4

I like the look of this, would def put SWMBO mind at ease
  
Post #185586910th Sep 2017 3:42 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Brooksie69
 


Member Since: 09 Jun 2014
Location: Wigan
Posts: 168

United Kingdom 2015 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 SE Tech Auto Corris GreyDiscovery 4

By the looks of the Stainless steel d ring it would struggle at 150kgs plus but with a bigger d ring no problem.
Looks well designed.
Thumbs Up Thumbs Up
 ...........One life live it..........  
Post #185587210th Sep 2017 4:59 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
bobcropper
 


Member Since: 05 Mar 2012
Location: Widnes
Posts: 14

United Kingdom 2011 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 HSE Auto Santorini BlackDiscovery 4

The 10mm stainless steal shackle has a breaking strain of 3350kg and the cleat that it's fixed to is from a HGV trailer lashing ring rated at 2.5t strain tension and and breaking strain of 5t. The fact that this will only allow the male taper to drop approx 5mm the the shackle would not have to take the weight of the trailer/caravan as it would still be well engaged. It would more than take the tow bars Max nose weight (150kg).
 EngMan  
Post #185589110th Sep 2017 7:42 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
bobcropper
 


Member Since: 05 Mar 2012
Location: Widnes
Posts: 14

United Kingdom 2011 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 HSE Auto Santorini BlackDiscovery 4

Bar8 wrote:
I like the look of this, are you selling them?

In the event of trouble I presume the bracket can sustain a downward force of 150kg (+safety margin)?


The 10mm stainless steal shackle has a breaking strain of 3350kg and the cleat that it's fixed to is from a HGV trailer lashing ring rated at 2.5t strain tension and and breaking strain of 5t. The fact that this will only allow the male taper to drop approx 5mm the the shackle would not have to take the weight of the trailer/caravan as it would still be well engaged. It would more than take the tow bars Max nose weight (150kg).
The bracket takes a while to make with my limited resources but I may get a price from a local engineering company to profile cut them. If I can get them at the right price I'll consider selling them.
 EngMan  
Post #185589210th Sep 2017 7:51 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
bobcropper
 


Member Since: 05 Mar 2012
Location: Widnes
Posts: 14

United Kingdom 2011 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 HSE Auto Santorini BlackDiscovery 4

EMcC wrote:
Now that would be a good proposition to put to the Dragons Den.
I'd be in.

If Landrover had done more to rectify the problem it wouldn't be necessary!!
 EngMan  
Post #185589310th Sep 2017 7:55 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
jc_uk
 


Member Since: 19 Apr 2007
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 314

United Kingdom 

Is this classed as an acceptable modification from an insurance POV?

I assume no type testing has taken place?

Some time ago on here there was a much simpler bolt and plate workaround.

Have any post recall removable tow bars been known to fail?

Is the problem still present on D4s?

Thanks

JC
  
Post #185589910th Sep 2017 8:04 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
bobcropper
 


Member Since: 05 Mar 2012
Location: Widnes
Posts: 14

United Kingdom 2011 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 HSE Auto Santorini BlackDiscovery 4

I see your point but this is something I've made for my own use and is not for sale. The bracket is clamped to the tow bar and does not in any way effect the function or integrity of the tow bar. The shackle is loose and would only come into play if the locking mechanism failed, so the tow bar is operating as normal.
I did see the plate that you mentioned and downloaded the drawing for it. The 2 problems I could see with that is that when bolted in place that would interfere with the integrity of the tow bar as it was forcing the male taper into the female taper. This then takes the weight of the locking pin so that it's not held by the locking pin but is held by the plate??
It also detracts from having a detachable tow bar, might as well get a fixed version.
My vehicle went in for the landrover recall and was deemed to be Ok but I feel that a check with a gauge was just a cop out by Landrover who had to be seen to be doing something about a growing problem.
In answer to your other questions I don't know, but I'll be touring with my caravan knowing that it's a safe outfit and should the tow bar fail I have measures in place to contain the situation. Thumbs Up
 EngMan  
Post #185590910th Sep 2017 8:35 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Washwipe
 


Member Since: 19 Apr 2013
Location: Bucks Oxon Herts Border
Posts: 3169

England 

jc_uk wrote:
Is this classed as an acceptable modification from an insurance POV?

I assume no type testing has taken place?

Some time ago on here there was a much simpler bolt and plate workaround.

Have any post recall removable tow bars been known to fail?

Is the problem still present on D4s?

Thanks

JC


If the insurance is ok without, can't see why is shouldn't be if fitted. It's a bolt and braces, but if the owner was using it to cover the fact that his towbar fits in the receiver like a Censored in a shirt sleeve then it's different.
  
Post #185593010th Sep 2017 9:26 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
DG
Site Moderator 


Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50930

Wales 

Whether or not it fails, the OEM bar is type approved and would be fully covered ....this would be seen as an untested modification and therefore would give the insurer a 'get out' for your loss, if it came to it.
  
Post #185593210th Sep 2017 9:36 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
bobcropper
 


Member Since: 05 Mar 2012
Location: Widnes
Posts: 14

United Kingdom 2011 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 HSE Auto Santorini BlackDiscovery 4

I take your point but this arrester bracket does give me peace of mind having seen the results above if it does fail. Fortunately the caravan in the picture veered towards the hard shoulder, god forbid what could have happened had it gone towards the fast lane. Sad
 EngMan  
Post #185594610th Sep 2017 10:38 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Washwipe
 


Member Since: 19 Apr 2013
Location: Bucks Oxon Herts Border
Posts: 3169

England 

DG wrote:
Whether or not it fails, the OEM bar is type approved and would be fully covered ....this would be seen as an untested modification and therefore would give the insurer a 'get out' for your loss, if it came to it.


See your point. Our tintent sits on the drive, I asked the insurance company what discount I'd get off the premium if I fitted leg locks and security posts either side the A Frame, nothing, what's more if I tell them I have them and the van disappears and I hadn't put them up/on they will reduce the payout as I didn't have the said devices in use. So they are fitted but not noted on the policy.
  
Post #185596310th Sep 2017 12:12 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
dgardel
 


Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: Greater Venice
Posts: 2025

Italy 2014 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 XXV LE Auto Santorini BlackDiscovery 4

Click image to enlarge


Dimensions are in "mm"


Printable PDF

http://www.disco3.co.uk/gallery/albums/use...-Model.pdf
 Discovery 5 tdv6 HSE Corris Gray Outback Engineering Limited Edition

IID Pro MV License

 
 
Post #18642813rd Oct 2017 12:25 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Send e-mail Post Reply
Display posts from the last:  
Post Reply Back to top
Page 1 of 1
Jump to:  
Previous Topic | Next Topic >


Posting Rules
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



DISCO3.CO.UK Copyright © 2004-2024 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
DISCO3.CO.UK RSS Feed - All Forums

DISCO3.CO.UK is independent and not affiliated to Land Rover.
Switch to Mobile Site