Bought my used one off here off another member (Mark One iirc) after three 1/2 years with it, still using it now on my current one. Towing 1750kgs
Taking note of what Mogwyth has posted, it is always removed after use, also smeared with a bit of grease where it fits up in the chassis cross member, was checked as part of the recall last year, so far so good.
6th Sep 2016 6:55 pm
adam
Member Since: 20 Sep 2005
Location: Home and Happy
Posts: 6917
I think the biggest issue is they seem to get nicked at a great rate
6th Sep 2016 7:10 pm
Ocsid
Member Since: 29 Nov 2005
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 255
Mogwyth wrote:
Ocsid wrote:
The claim is it was leaving it in that caused the wear, I struggle with that,
My nephew is a senior LR tech and he said that with the towbar in place moisture gathers in the socket causing it to rust, then when you use it particularly with heavy loads it moves rubbing off the rust gradually enlarging the socket.
Thanks, not doubting you at all but I struggle with that theory to, as mine was plastered with white cycle grease so not likely to have rusted. What was happening was the "cam" surface of the locking pin that's profile tightens the engagement was very worn away. Whilst I could not see the mating face in the socket casting I don't doubt that was also worn. After towing the towbar always dropped in later years, and van off you could rattle it about till it "snapped" tighter. Could never get the dealer to show the slightest interest for many years, even though I mentioned it at each service, till I read of the recall here, then they wanted to see it ASAP.
6th Sep 2016 7:48 pm
galwaygreen
Member Since: 30 Oct 2011
Location: plymouth
Posts: 6525
there still making them..there still the same..the only thing that's changed is that now they only recommended for occasional towing...so if you only tow occasional should be find...we picked up our new graphite yesterday...came with the exact same bar..only nice and clean
6th Sep 2016 7:54 pm
Ocsid
Member Since: 29 Nov 2005
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 255
I think it has changed, in that sometime along the line since my initial purchase in 2005 they built a ratchet into the plastic knob; or so I read somewhere on here.
I can see this "helping" to stop the sprung loaded locking pin's cam face backing away; as well as plastic stops anything!
there still making them..there still the same..the only thing that's changed is that now they only recommended for occasional towing...so if you only tow occasional should be find...we picked up our new graphite yesterday...came with the exact same bar..only nice and clean
They still rate them at 3500kgs, I recently saw one of LR's own D4's towing a twin axle box trailer, with detachable.
6th Sep 2016 9:56 pm
Adrian T
Member Since: 03 Nov 2011
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 46
Checked with LR and Pete on here and both came back with the same that ours is not in the recall program (2010yr build). The tow hook was from our D3 this was also not in the program.
I was under the impression that they all needed to be checked from what I have read; this has left me a bit confused.
I checked my 09 plate with CR rep on here
lot of unclear literal word camouflage
aparantely mine is fit for recreational use, that was after they said I had no outstanding field service issues , recall to me and you
I asked was it fit to pull 1500 kgs , the recreational use statement came back in reply
Confused , you bet ya
8th Sep 2016 7:50 pm
Erea
Member Since: 19 Mar 2012
Location: Munster
Posts: 1509
Washwipe wrote:
galwaygreen wrote:
there still making them..there still the same..the only thing that's changed is that now they only recommended for occasional towing...so if you only tow occasional should be find...we picked up our new graphite yesterday...came with the exact same bar..only nice and clean
They still rate them at 3500kgs, I recently saw one of LR's own D4's towing a twin axle box trailer, with detachable.
NO here in Ireland the swan neck removable is rated at 1500 or 1750kg as far as I can remember. I'm currently in Italy, but when I got my tow bar and crossmember replaced FOC (for the fixed) the new page in my book said the detachable was only rated for 1750kg (I'll check when home)
8th Sep 2016 10:21 pm
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23866
adam wrote:
I think the biggest issue is they seem to get nicked at a great rate
To be fair though, they were not designed to be left in place. Nor should they be, as it messes with the rear crumple zone in the event of a big shunt. Not to mention the front crumple zone of the vehicle hitting the Disco.2006 D3 HSE (Original & still the best)-GONE
2010 D4 HSE (A bit bling)-GONE
2014 D4 HSE (Almost too bling)-GONE
2015 D4 HSE (A heated what?)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Written Off)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Surely the last!) PD1881 rims-GONE
2017 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography (now semi-retired)
8th Sep 2016 10:28 pm
Erea
Member Since: 19 Mar 2012
Location: Munster
Posts: 1509
I stand corrected.
I just found an old pic of the extra page I got when I got the fixed tow bar and new crossmember.
It does not give a max weight for the swan neck. Just nose weight. See attached pic, is this the same revised that the UK got?
8th Sep 2016 10:37 pm
dunton10
Member Since: 23 Dec 2006
Location: SUTTON COLDFIELD, WEST MIDS
Posts: 213
I towed with my old detachable bar for about 8 years, several times a year. Twin axle van about 1850kgs.
started to rattle and bump whilst towing and despite passing the recall test I lost confidence in it.
It got to the point where you could wiggle it by hand after towing. it appeared to me that the knob on the side rotated whilst towing thus retracting the locking pin slightly causing the play.
I fitted a tow trust removable bar prior to visiting france this year. have towed three times since and no noise, no rattle no play. seems rock solid. My only issue is that it has been difficult to remove on a couple of occasions, needing a tap with a rubber mallet but better that than loose.Currently 2015 D4 SE Tech, Corris Grey
RLD Protector, led interior lights, timed climate, towing equipment
Previously
2006 D3 S
2001 TD5
1996 Shogun LWB
1989 Range Rover TDVM
10th Sep 2016 6:47 pm
RBP
Member Since: 29 Aug 2012
Location: N Yorks
Posts: 1936
daftlad wrote:
geoffsnook wrote:
It reads detachable tow bar never towed with used it for bikes butyou tow a caravan 5 times a year you did not say you had never towed with the d3 but had with your previous d2
sorry I thought I covered it when I stated used once with the rack and never towed with it
To me it was clear you hadn't used the D3 for towing, unless you've edited your first post?
Either way, no harm done...
Personally I would get a fixed tow bar.
10th Sep 2016 7:08 pm
Red Merle
Member Since: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Liskeard
Posts: 7441
Apologies for asking a really basic question here, but why would anyone want to take their tow bar off between uses?2011 - 2015: 3 x FL2
2015 - 2017: 2 x D4
2017 to date: FFRR SDV8
2023 to date: 2 x FL2 as “second” cars 🙄
2021 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200
2022 to date: Hinckley built ‘14 Triumph Trophy 1200 & sidecar!
(One of only two known to exist in the world!)
10th Sep 2016 7:35 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73134
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