Just wondering how many Caravan towing members use the detachable towball
I have one that came with my 09 new to me D3
never been used ive had it in the socket to use iit with the bike rack once
we tow a van about 5 times a year max
1 journey is the anual pilgrimage to Trevornik ic Corwall about 350 miles door to door
I know its a done to death topic
I read loads and , is it just overkill or are they dangerous,
don't think I can do the recall visit and try for an upgrade as it cant be worn , unused
thoughts
"never been used . . . we tow a van about 5 times a year"
Eh? String?A vaccine does not stop you catching a virus, or passing it on, or getting ill from it, really ill. It does reduce the likelyhood of you dying when really, really ill. Stay Alive - KEEP AWAY FROM PEOPLE.
6th Sep 2016 6:13 pm
geoffsnook
Member Since: 13 Jun 2014
Location: south wales
Posts: 3170
Tows my 1800kg tintent as often as i can Discovery 3 se gone
Range rover sport supercharged here:)
Dont understand your comment mate
if your saying dont use it as its as good as string fair enough
6th Sep 2016 6:17 pm
geoffsnook
Member Since: 13 Jun 2014
Location: south wales
Posts: 3170
No read your post back through and you will understand Discovery 3 se gone
Range rover sport supercharged here:)
6th Sep 2016 6:20 pm
Tanglewood
Member Since: 27 Feb 2011
Location: Wilts
Posts: 1376
I pull a twin axle caravan thats close to 2T and a twin axle trailer that regularly tops out at 3T. I use the detachable ball and have never had an issue. It's rock solid.
No it must be me not seeing something
I haven't towed with this D3 yet as its new to me 4 weeks ago
tow about 5 times a year , this year was with the D2.
may need it making obvious to me mate
I was at the Chatsworth country fair Sunday
so many D3 s had vans with them in the camping area most with the detachable ball
wonder if they know or like me think its overkill
6th Sep 2016 6:27 pm
Ocsid
Member Since: 29 Nov 2005
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 255
With our 07 MY Disco 3 the hitch all but lived in the socket and I towed about 25 k miles, a 1900 kg caravan. This vehicle covered 51K miles in total. It rattled towing for over half its life which was dismissed "as they all do" until the "recall" when it was found worn, just within being suitable for the fixed towball to be fitted.
On buying my new D4 16.5 MY I had either to accept the factory detachable or make a big contribution to changing to the fixed. As I could accept the detachable and if it started to rattle still buy a fixed for no more than the dealer changing it pre delivery I opted to use the detachable. The claim is it was leaving it in that caused the wear, I struggle with that, but as soon as, and if I hear the very evident knocking it will be changed long before being critical. Towed some 1.2 k miles so far without a hint, and as soon as it is not needed it is stowed away so zero miles done with it fitted running solo.
Watch this space; the experts hopefully know what they are talking about.
If my D4 was not factory supplied I would have DIY fitted a fixed bar, but that was not an option without costing me.
Last edited by Ocsid on 6th Sep 2016 6:32 pm. Edited 1 time in total
6th Sep 2016 6:28 pm
Mogwyth
Member Since: 03 Oct 2014
Location: Pwllheli
Posts: 3976
Thats the problem mate you didn't make that clear.
Ours was replaced by Land Rover for a fixed one under the recall but we do tow a 3.5t livestock trailer as well as a 1800kg caravan, not at the same time mind. Its Ok as long as you are using it for occasional use and not to its extreme and its been checked by LR..==================================
05 D3 HSE V8 4.4
04 MG TF 135
03 MG TF 115 Cool Blue Edition
02 MG TF 160
00 Hymer B564 Lionheart
1971 Series III 109
6th Sep 2016 6:31 pm
geoffsnook
Member Since: 13 Jun 2014
Location: south wales
Posts: 3170
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 Discovery 3 se gone
Range rover sport supercharged here:)
I contacted customer relations through the forum to check all outstanding recalls are done
apparently they are
then quized them in regard to occasionally towing with the detachable ball, not heard back
lol
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
6th Sep 2016 6:35 pm
Mogwyth
Member Since: 03 Oct 2014
Location: Pwllheli
Posts: 3976
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.==================================
05 D3 HSE V8 4.4
04 MG TF 135
03 MG TF 115 Cool Blue Edition
02 MG TF 160
00 Hymer B564 Lionheart
1971 Series III 109
Like that one buddy
Not that LR are useless at chassis protection
I was quite shocked as I looked around a few before comiting and all were corroded under the plastic cover
mine is just getting surface rust aparant , first job I did as the chassis has still most of the paint on it and only just pitting was to waxoyl it , and paint the crossmember towing area with rust inhibitors and a top coat , not inside the socket though
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