Member Since: 03 Oct 2018
Location: Hereford
Posts: 53
Adding a tow bar
Hi guys,
I've just got my trailer license through work and although I have no immediate need to tow with my disco, I would like to get it set up for towing. At the back end I can see that behind the plastic cover I have an empty hole on the left, the recovery eye in the middle, and then a landrover branded electric connector on the right (to accept 13 pin plugs). Unfortunately the detachable towbar is missing from it's usual storage location in the boot (7 seat model) so I do not have one.
I have googled and searched the forum for hours and there's stacks of info but I can't find answers to the following:
- Does the presence of the 13 pin socket which I assume is standard on all discos mean I have trailer electrics already in place (I haven't yet checked the pins with a multimeter but assuming they work).
- Why do people seem to fit additional electrics in the hole on the left? (If it's for 7 pin then why not save the hassle and use a 7to13 pin adapter which you can buy for about 7 quid?)
- The detachable towbars get bad press for safety reasons so I will buy a fixed one but is there any one to avoid? (I will probably get a Witter as they are readily available and cheapish)
Thanks!Discovery 3 XS - sold
L322 Range Rover Vogue - sold
TD5 Defender 90 - sold
200tdi Defender 110 - sold
300tdi disco ES - died
Series 3 88" Petrol - sold
300tdi disco XS - sold
Don't have one myself but I believe the TowTrust kit gets better reviews on here than the Witter.
24th May 2021 1:08 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10685
If you have the plug it should be wired, but yeah check the connections now
If some don't work, the fuses are in the left cubby
The idea is :
You have a 13 pin plug (as used in europe)
OR
If you tow a caravan you have TWO 7 pin plugs
black and grey/white
The grey/white having power, ignition power for fridge and reversing lights
Having said that, if you want to tow a trailer with 7 pin plug, you could do as you think and add a 7 pin socket, but a faf wiring it I expect, trying to get 2 sets of cable in where only 1 intended
24th May 2021 1:25 pm
rrhool
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4524
Tow Trust TL1 (or whatever it's called now) best looking fit.
Click image to enlarge
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
24th May 2021 1:38 pm
ReadySalted
Member Since: 03 Oct 2018
Location: Hereford
Posts: 53
Ahh thanks Pete - that's made life a bit easier. For a while I was thinking oh christ I need to shell out for a whole wiring harness, but alas I don't intend on towing a caravan so the single 13 pin connector it's already got should work if I get a 7 pin adapter. Phew.
I will most likely be trying to get my hands on a small ifor williams if I can find one cheap enough. Or even a home made one if it's half decent and it's cheap.
I'm in a bit of a rush to get a towbar sorted as I have the offer of a load of recently felled wood for free, but I don't think it's going to hang around so if I can sort out a trailer sharpish then I'm hoping to capitalise on a freebie. I've ordered a Witter which should be here in a few days as the reviews on this site look reasonable. Apparently it sticks out and it's ugly but then it's a towbar not designed to be a work of art. In truth I probably would have preferred the original detachable one, but at 300 quid plus for a used one they can get stuffed. I've been wincing all afternoon at the thought that the dealer who sold me my disco pocketed the towbar and made a few hundred quid out of it without me even knowing to check! My own bloody fault lol.Discovery 3 XS - sold
L322 Range Rover Vogue - sold
TD5 Defender 90 - sold
200tdi Defender 110 - sold
300tdi disco ES - died
Series 3 88" Petrol - sold
300tdi disco XS - sold
24th May 2021 1:40 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10685
Yeap, I expect you are correct! The dealer pocketed the towbar and put it on ebay. or the previous owner
How much is a witter one out of interest
24th May 2021 1:43 pm
robpenrose
Member Since: 12 Jan 2016
Location: Surrey / SW London
Posts: 2138
Fixed LR tow bar
Current: D4 HSE
Previous: BMW Z4M Coupe
Previous: Land Rover Defender 90 CSW Td5
Previous: Land Rover Discovery Td5 ES
24th May 2021 3:33 pm
ReadySalted
Member Since: 03 Oct 2018
Location: Hereford
Posts: 53
Pete K wrote:
Yeap, I expect you are correct! The dealer pocketed the towbar and put it on ebay. or the previous owner
How much is a witter one out of interest
Off ebay (Trident Towing Shop) it's £184.99 with free delivery. I had a 10 quid ebay voucher so I applied that to it and for the princely sum of £175 I should have a tow bar fitted and be ready to tow in a few days. Alot of money for a 'what-if', but if I don't do it now then I never will.Discovery 3 XS - sold
L322 Range Rover Vogue - sold
TD5 Defender 90 - sold
200tdi Defender 110 - sold
300tdi disco ES - died
Series 3 88" Petrol - sold
300tdi disco XS - sold
24th May 2021 3:36 pm
galwaygreen
Member Since: 30 Oct 2011
Location: plymouth
Posts: 6525
detachable one recommended for occasional towing,,but still rated 3.5 tons....often for sale on ere...or put up an add for wanted....if you get one dont leave it on cus the robbers rob it...
PS..see one on here at the moment for sale
The 13-pin socket has all the pins that the double 12N/S 7-pin sockets have. There are 13-pin adaptors that will split to the 12N/S output, so no need to add another socket. The 13-pin design is way better and trailers with a 7-pin plug can easily have that changed to 13-pin. The sockets are about £5.
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