Russell
Member Since: 23 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
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If you do a search there are lots of cases of tow bars failing, but this is across all makes and models even with cases of fixed tow bars failing for all sorts of reasons.
We need to wait until VOSA and LR make a statement, which looking at Characters post is iminent.
As stated above the tow bar is rated at 3500kg so LR would be up against a massive issue and potential huge claim, I for one brought the car like many other people specifically for towing and wassold the vehicle specifically on that basis, i was also sold it on the fact the tow bar was removable! So I would be looking for full replacment and at no cost to me.
Think like others have said, do not panic but wait and see what happens. MY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
MY15 D4 HSE Kaikoura Stone
MY12 D4 HSE Nara Bronze Sold and gone
MY11 D4 HSE Stornaway Grey Sold and gone
D3 S spec Silver Sold and gone
Tow bar, full length roof bars, side steps, tow bar storage unit, surround camers.
D4 camera club
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 6th Jul 2012 10:27 am |
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DG
Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50979
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Here are some stats
This is the fail % from VOSA MOT records on all 2005 MY Disco3's mot'd to date
0.048% fail on Towbars - of which:
0.024% fail on Towbar
0.024% fail on Detachable tow ball
That's the fact part....
***Now to try and work out how many UK D3's this could be related to ...sales were around 40,000 units per year, of which lets say 30,000 would have been in the UK ...so if I've worked it out correctly then that is around 7 motors failed for fixed and 7 motors for detachable.
Anyone on here one of the 14 ??
***EDIT: see updated figure below *** 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
Last edited by DG on 6th Jul 2012 11:39 am. Edited 1 time in total
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| 6th Jul 2012 10:36 am |
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Chicken Duck
Member Since: 11 Nov 2009
Location: Italy
Posts: 1387
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Shame VOSA has done sweet F,A about the park brake faults thats been reported to them isn't it 
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| 6th Jul 2012 10:42 am |
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devonchilliman
Member Since: 03 Nov 2008
Location: Devon
Posts: 5224
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DG wrote:Who says that there shouldn't be any movement at all ?  
Just after towing trailers for the past 23 years with a selection of vehicles...Defner/D1/2 x troopers..I've never experienced movement in a towbar before,it seemed to be pitching Www.devonchilliman.co.uk
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| 6th Jul 2012 10:43 am |
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methley
a.k.a. Big Hairy Ski Monster
Member Since: 07 Oct 2008
Location: Marshfield, South Glos
Posts: 2433
 
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But those stats simply don't mean anything. The tow bar will only be tested if it is fitted. So the stats simply refer to the number of failures where the tow bar was fitted during the test. How many D3's are tested which regularly tow where the owner removes the tow bar when not being used... Andy
Fridge Slide for sale https://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/post2064622.html#2064622
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| 6th Jul 2012 10:45 am |
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DG
Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50979
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Maybe so ...but they are the only recorded stat evidence we know about ...and it gives an indication of the scale even if you said that only a 1/3 of the 30,000 towed.
Trying to interpret the scale of the issue without hard facts is completely futile TBH. 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
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| 6th Jul 2012 10:51 am |
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Russell
Member Since: 23 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
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DG wrote:Here are some stats
This is the fail % from VOSA MOT records on all 2005 MY Disco3's mot'd to date
0.048% fail on Towbars - of which:
0.024% fail on Towbar
0.024% fail on Detachable tow ball
That's the fact part....
Now to try and work out how many UK D3's this could be related to ...sales were around 40,000 units per year, of which lets say 30,000 would have been in the UK ...so if I've worked it out correctly then that is around 7 motors failed for fixed and 7 motors for detachable.
Anyone on here one of the 14 ??
That relates to Discos, now how does this compare across other makes, bet if you started to look at other makes you would find similar numbers, especially on makes of cars that are also used to do a lot of towing. Would be intresting to see these figures as well to put things into perspective. Also VOSA cannot be overly concerned about the figures or they would have already taken action. MY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
MY15 D4 HSE Kaikoura Stone
MY12 D4 HSE Nara Bronze Sold and gone
MY11 D4 HSE Stornaway Grey Sold and gone
D3 S spec Silver Sold and gone
Tow bar, full length roof bars, side steps, tow bar storage unit, surround camers.
D4 camera club
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| 6th Jul 2012 10:59 am |
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DG
Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50979
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Here's a few comparators
2005MY Mitsibushi Shogun
0.049% fail on Towbars - of which
0.049% fail on Towbar
2005MY Isuzu Trooper
0.33% fail on Towbars - of which
0.33% fail on Towbar
2005MY Jeep Grand Cherokee
0.043% fail on Towbars - of which
0.043% fail on Towbar
2005MY Defender 110
0.18% fail on Towbars -of which
0.12% fail on Towbar
2005MY Defender 90
0.070% fail on Towbars -of which
0.035% fail on Towbar
0.035% fail on Detachable tow ball
2005MY Toyota Land Cruiser
0.039% fail on Towbars -of which
0.039% fail on Towbar 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
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| 6th Jul 2012 11:26 am |
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DiscoStu
Member Since: 09 Apr 2006
Location: London
Posts: 11412
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devonchilliman wrote:When I bought my 07 D3 it had a removable tow bar on it,I noticed straight away that there was movement in it ,went back to the dealer and was told this is normal ,I sold it and bought the multi height fixed one!which is now on the D4 and now don't have any issues 
You thought the removable tow hitch was dodgy, so you sold it? For scrap, or for someone else to form an opinion on it? Disco 5 HSE Lux
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peyiqaJrmMU
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| 6th Jul 2012 11:28 am |
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DG
Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50979
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An update on numbers to my previous ....the 0.048% applies to 12,537 2005 D3 tests between October 2010 and September 2011...so the number of failure relative to this is 6 ..3 for fixed, 3 for detachable 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
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| 6th Jul 2012 11:36 am |
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devonchilliman
Member Since: 03 Nov 2008
Location: Devon
Posts: 5224
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DiscoStu wrote:devonchilliman wrote:When I bought my 07 D3 it had a removable tow bar on it,I noticed straight away that there was movement in it ,went back to the dealer and was told this is normal ,I sold it and bought the multi height fixed one!which is now on the D4 and now don't have any issues
You thought the removable tow hitch was dodgy, so you sold it? For scrap, or for someone else to form an opinion on it?
Yep Sold it as in the dealers opinion "Was normal", didn't think it was "dodgy" just not suitable for everyday towing of a heavy trailer Www.devonchilliman.co.uk
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| 6th Jul 2012 11:59 am |
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B16 KJR
Member Since: 10 Jul 2006
Location: Rosyth, Fife
Posts: 3005
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Quote:so the number of failure relative to this is 6 ..3 for fixed, 3 for detachable
Does this "failure" relate to the towbar coming adrift whilst towing, or having a lot of play in it ?
Personally I really liked the removable towbar it was such a neat design, BUT after reading all these comments and searching t' web, I am not prepared to take the chance of the bar coming adrift and losing my caravan.
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| 6th Jul 2012 12:33 pm |
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DG
Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50979
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B16 KJR wrote: I am not prepared to take the chance of the bar coming adrift and losing my caravan.
But what is the risk ratio ? You have more chance of pegging it getting out of bed than this happening 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
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| 6th Jul 2012 12:36 pm |
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B16 KJR
Member Since: 10 Jul 2006
Location: Rosyth, Fife
Posts: 3005
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Yeah, but if I peg it getting out of bed that won't wreck my caravan and possibly cause the deaths of other road users
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| 6th Jul 2012 12:39 pm |
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DG
Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50979
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Those people have more risk of getting hit by lightening than being hit by your out of control towball afflicted caravan. Get a grip man  21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
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| 6th Jul 2012 12:44 pm |
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