Member Since: 10 Jul 2006
Location: Rosyth, Fife
Posts: 3005
That TSB relates to towbars not latching due to excessive paint. What I have been told will be happening, is owners of removable towbars will be invited to go to a dealership to have the play checked, if too much, towbar will be replaced FOC.
8th Apr 2013 3:19 pm
jonathanproctor
Member Since: 01 Apr 2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 10
Tow Trust solution to loose tow hitch.
If there is excessive wear to the lower edge of the rectangular slot that the spring loaded pin fits into...
Click image to enlarge
...then it will be difficult (or impossible) to get a secure fit with the Land Rover detachable hitch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0sA8Ud-SXo
I also tried a Witter fixed hitch but that was also loose because of the wear to the vehicle.
In the end I went to Tow-Trust who repaired the wear by filling it with weld, grinding it flat and I then fitted their LT1 fixed bar with a longer pin for good measure. Very unobtrusive for a fixed bar and really well designed because the locating pin is bolted into place it can't move. In addition the side arms lock the hitch both horizontally AND vertically. Totally solid with no knocking or rattling. Friendly and professional staff too.
http://www.tow-trust.co.uk/towbar/search/make/19/model/156/part/
Don't be put off by the list price, I paid about half list for the bar only (already had electrics) plus fitting time.
Problem solved, thank you Tow-Trust!
30th Apr 2013 11:40 pm
B16 KJR
Member Since: 10 Jul 2006
Location: Rosyth, Fife
Posts: 3005
Good bit of kit the TowTrust bar, and Tom Miller certainly knows what he is talking about when it comes to towbars
1st May 2013 11:26 am
jonathanproctor
Member Since: 01 Apr 2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 10
He certainly does. My only regret is that I didn't go to Tow-Trust in the first place!
1st May 2013 11:53 am
RRD
Member Since: 17 Feb 2013
Location: Antwerp
Posts: 19
Received and installed the Tow-Trust TL1 tow bar in Belgium!
Fits like a glove, but with a first test drive my trailer isn't as stable behind the car as it used to be. I did install the tow bar on the upper two holes of the TL1 main socket, my guess is that it will be much better when I lower the tow bar to the lower two holes so my trailer will be more horizontal??? Will try this weekend and let you guys know.
30th Jul 2013 9:46 pm
jonathanproctor
Member Since: 01 Apr 2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 10
I have a standard 50mm ball on the lower position. I have now towed a number of different trailers and am still very pleased with the set-up. Hope your trailer performs correctly once you have adjusted the height.
31st Jul 2013 2:06 pm
geosdad
Member Since: 25 Sep 2013
Location: Lincolnshire
Posts: 18
loose tow ball fix
I had the problem with my D3 removable tow ball working loose and rattling and clanking during towing.
I have designed manufactured and fitted a good number of the securing kits shown. They work by clamping the tow bar in place tight in the locked position hard against the taper of the housing. This kit works brilliantly and gives peace of mind and also makes the ugly socket look better.
Member Since: 18 Jul 2008
Location: Rugby
Posts: 473
Glad to see that my earlier research was useful to so many of you, and that Tow Trust and Tom Miller have come through for you in such a big way When I first contacted him, I asked him if he would mind me putting him and his details on here, and suggested that he might get a few sales out of it, but I hadn't realised it would be quite so many!D3 TDV6 HSE 2008 Buckingham Blue (current)
D3 TDV6 HSE 2009 Zermatt Silver (previous)
D3 TDV6 HSE 2005 Maya Gold (previous)
D2 TD5 ES 1999 (previous)
Defender TD5 swb hard top 2005 (previous)
Defender 300tdi swb hard top 1994 (previous)
4th Feb 2014 5:59 pm
BlackVanMan
Member Since: 23 Oct 2011
Location: Worksop
Posts: 99
Hello,
I have had the same problem with my detachable tow bar working loose so have purchased the Tow Trust TL1 bar kit.
Is there a knack to removing the bolts from the chassis to mount the outriggers for the tow bar. They are loose but just spinning within the chassis. 2006 SE. Java Black.
B.A.S Fuel Burning Heater Controller
4x4 Info Enabled
Alive Remap
EGR's Blanked
13th Feb 2014 9:13 pm
brianj100
Member Since: 24 Sep 2010
Location: Wolverhampton
Posts: 5
I have just fitted one of the securing kits from Geosdad and am very pleased with the result. The tow bar feels very secure with all play removed and the bar sitting tightly in the tapered housing. Seems to be an easy solution to a common problem with the detachable tow bar and at a very reasonable price.
Cheers
Brian
17th Feb 2014 1:55 pm
L319
Member Since: 14 Dec 2013
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 2080
My only concern is that the securing kits from Geosdad appear not to be type approved and could create insurance issues should an accident occur. An M1 class vehicle (See your V5C) built after 1st August 1998 ( 20 April 1999 in NI) must use type approved hitches and accessories, otherwise it is in breach of the construction & use regulations. N1 vehicles such as some LR Defenders are not subject to the same rules. As far as I am aware, the UK MoT does not check conformity only condition.
17th Feb 2014 5:24 pm
maffffster
Member Since: 29 Jan 2012
Location: Surrey
Posts: 113
Re: Tow Trust solution to loose tow hitch.
jonathanproctor wrote:
If there is excessive wear to the lower edge of the rectangular slot that the spring loaded pin fits into...
Click image to enlarge
...then it will be difficult (or impossible) to get a secure fit with the Land Rover detachable hitch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0sA8Ud-SXo
I also tried a Witter fixed hitch but that was also loose because of the wear to the vehicle.
In the end I went to Tow-Trust who repaired the wear by filling it with weld, grinding it flat and I then fitted their LT1 fixed bar with a longer pin for good measure. Very unobtrusive for a fixed bar and really well designed because the locating pin is bolted into place it can't move. In addition the side arms lock the hitch both horizontally AND vertically. Totally solid with no knocking or rattling. Friendly and professional staff too.
http://www.tow-trust.co.uk/towbar/search/make/19/model/156/part/
Don't be put off by the list price, I paid about half list for the bar only (already had electrics) plus fitting time.
Problem solved, thank you Tow-Trust!
Are you able to upload a photo of the finished tow trust product ?Disco 3 manual diesel
Range rover vogue lse 4.2 v8
Landrover 90 3.5 v8
17th Feb 2014 7:30 pm
redjelly5000
Member Since: 18 Jul 2008
Location: Rugby
Posts: 473
Have a look earlier in the thread.... I uploaded loads of pics of the fitted tow trust products D3 TDV6 HSE 2008 Buckingham Blue (current)
D3 TDV6 HSE 2009 Zermatt Silver (previous)
D3 TDV6 HSE 2005 Maya Gold (previous)
D2 TD5 ES 1999 (previous)
Defender TD5 swb hard top 2005 (previous)
Defender 300tdi swb hard top 1994 (previous)
17th Feb 2014 7:40 pm
geosdad
Member Since: 25 Sep 2013
Location: Lincolnshire
Posts: 18
L319
Note the concern but this plate is just a bolt on plate to the existing LR detachable tow bar. It is not a replacement, or different system and actually does not modify the existing kit at all. It just a simple extra that ensures the existing tow bar remains tight up inside the taper. It is not a fix for an unserviceable or faulty tow bar, just a bit of kit to keep it tight.
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