Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Surrey
Posts: 217
Tow Hitch Question
Hi All
My wife and I are thinking about buying a caravan and was wondering if I will be ok to tow it with the removable tow ball as supplied by Land Rover, or do I need to upgrade to a fixed tow bracket? I had the towing electrics put on the car from new, but I have not towed anything this far with the car. The car has two sockets and I believe new caravans have one 13 way Jaegar connector so I will need an adaptor I guess.
Do I need anything else like a relay for example to power up the caravan?
Much appreciate any advice to a caravan novice. Although I do own a caravan back in 1985 and so things have changed a bit since then!!
Many thanks.
Mel.MG
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13th Mar 2019 2:49 pm
nigel207
Member Since: 26 Mar 2009
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 1359
I have used the detachable towbar on a number of vehicles (D3 + 2XD4’s) and never had an issue. Our current caravan weighs 1700kg. The vehicles provided by LR for an annual Tow Car test have all had the detachable type too (caravans weighing 2000kg). If you do have the detachable one, make sure that you take it out when not being used (not only are they easy to nick, but the ones that appear to have had issues are the ones that have been left in-situ for long periods). And, keep it all clean and the moving parts lubricated.
Some wouldn’t use the detachable type, so I guess it’s down to personal preference. I’m quite happy using it.
As for the electrics, if they are genuine LR ones then everything should work with an adaptor. You could change the 2X 7-pin sockets for the 13-pin. If it’s a D3, the wiring is basically plug and play (if it’s already been enabled). On the D4, when I changed the twin sockets to the 13-pin, the car had to be “told” to ensure that everything worked properly, i.e. reversing sensors stopped etc., although others have reported not having had any issues. They are LR’s after all!!
13th Mar 2019 3:43 pm
Cloverhill
Member Since: 11 Nov 2017
Location: Norwich
Posts: 36
Everything Nigel said above, we tow an 1850 kg twin axle on a detachable tow bar had no issues.
Only thing to add you may need to wire brush the towbar and socket machined surfaces, even a bit of surface rust can stop it locking in place.
DerekDerek
I have a million ideas, but, they all point to certain death.
13th Mar 2019 3:56 pm
MG D3 Decade
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Surrey
Posts: 217
Thanks very much Nigel and Derek for the re-assurance. I was concerned that the removeable tow ball is only for occasional use and may not be man-enough to tow a caravan across Europe and back!
The tow ball has been wrapped in an oily rag and is like new and the socket is clean as I have always kept the car as near perfect as possible.
If when I get the Jaegar adaptor, is there a simple way to determine if the car recognises that it has a caravan in tow and how does one change the settings?
I assume that people that have had issues with the tow ball (failing or falling out?) it is due to the lock not securing fully into the notch in the car's socket. I have tested mine and it does latch in but I could imagine that if it wasn't checked at the time of insertion the locking bolt (for want of a better description) may not have fully engaged.
Once again very many thanks Nigel and Derek - and any further advice would be very much appreciated and welcome.
Looking forward to getting my van. BTW considering a Swift Eccles 560 - anyone on here got one? Any horror stories?!!
Cheers.
MGMG
HSE V6 Diesel
Buckingham Blue
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Rosen A7 Roof-mount DVD player
Parrot 3100 Bluetooth
Removable Towbar and Elecs
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13th Mar 2019 6:36 pm
philm
Member Since: 02 Oct 2016
Location: Manchester
Posts: 732
Dealer I got my car from said they wouldn't trust one for any type of towing.
Mine is fitted with a tow trust fixed bar now.L633 Defender
Range Rover Velar-gone
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13th Mar 2019 6:47 pm
James W
Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Riyadh, KSA
Posts: 3079
If fitted, removed, maintained and used correctly within its designed limits it is fine. Beyond this, it’s completely up to your preference.D4 XS, gone, much loved, never forgotten
2018 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography - Gone to someone with less sense and more time to enjoy it
2016 Toyota Hilux Invincible - Liberating experience
Last edited by James W on 13th Mar 2019 8:30 pm. Edited 1 time in total
13th Mar 2019 7:33 pm
Cloverhill
Member Since: 11 Nov 2017
Location: Norwich
Posts: 36
I am not a legal professional, but if land rover supplied towbars that fell off loosing caravans all over our roads they would be in a whole world of trouble ( more than they are now).
DerekDerek
I have a million ideas, but, they all point to certain death.
13th Mar 2019 7:34 pm
Farmer Col
Member Since: 05 Jan 2017
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 263
I think you are right in thinking that the fault with the detachable tow bar is the locking mechanism.
I have a fixed tow bar, but it's one that I have taken off my old Disco and put on the new one, but the centre part is very similar to the detachable one in that it has a centre pin that locks in to the same slot. The difference with mine is that it must be an older design because it has a small bolt that screws down behind the locking pin, so there's no way it can come out.
13th Mar 2019 7:46 pm
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8243
Cloverhill wrote:
I am not a legal professional, but if land rover supplied towbars that fell off loosing caravans all over our roads they would be in a whole world of trouble ( more than they are now).
Derek
Eerm...... isn’t that exactly what has happened to justify a recall on them, I had a new fixed tow bar, new rear cross member fitted for free, take it to your nearest main dealer and they will check it out for wear without charge if you are lucky.
It is quite common for you to have a spot check on the tow bar when entering France and if it does not comply you will not be allowed to continue your journey, this includes all tow bars that must be made and fitted by a proprietary company.It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
13th Mar 2019 8:51 pm
Kelvo
Member Since: 07 Aug 2015
Location: Perth WA
Posts: 264
I’m unsure what the worry is with using the detachable tow hitch is in the UK.
Australian D4s only came with the detachable (receiver) tow hitch. My camper trailer is 1500Kg, caravans are a lot heavier than the Euro ones, and these are being towed on unsealed gravel/mud/sand roads for hundreds of Km at a time without issue.MY14 TDV6
13th Mar 2019 10:46 pm
Mogwyth
Member Since: 03 Oct 2014
Location: Pwllheli
Posts: 3976
I used to tow 3.5t on the detachable with no issues it was only changed to a fixed one by LR on the towbar customer satisfaction scheme as they said the detachable was suitable for the sort of heavy duty towing on a regular basis.
They have been known to fall out but on the three reported incidences on a caravan group I belonged to independent engineers found user error was to blame, in every incident the locking pin hadn't been fully engaged.
However if you want additional security https://www.advancedfactors.co.uk/kit434-s...0032-p.asp==================================
05 D3 HSE V8 4.4
04 MG TF 135
03 MG TF 115 Cool Blue Edition
02 MG TF 160
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13th Mar 2019 11:00 pm
Mogwyth
Member Since: 03 Oct 2014
Location: Pwllheli
Posts: 3976
M3DPO wrote:
Eerm...... isn’t that exactly what has happened to justify a recall on them, I had a new fixed tow bar, new rear cross member fitted for free, take it to your nearest main dealer and they will check it out for wear without charge if you are lucky.
No there was never a recall, it was a Customer satisfaction programme which resulted from a misuse of the detachable tow-bar, ie not removing it when not in use, this caused undue wear on the socket and knocking when in use.==================================
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
13th Mar 2019 11:04 pm
MG D3 Decade
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Surrey
Posts: 217
So should I discard the removeable tow ball and get a fixed one fitted?
What is the best solution I guess is what I am eager to understand.
Is there anyone from LRCS reading this thread to give the official view/recommendation?MG
HSE V6 Diesel
Buckingham Blue
Ebony Leather
Side Steps
Mini Fridge
Rosen A7 Roof-mount DVD player
Parrot 3100 Bluetooth
Removable Towbar and Elecs
Pure Highway DAB
Portable Fridge
14th Mar 2019 10:25 am
Mogwyth
Member Since: 03 Oct 2014
Location: Pwllheli
Posts: 3976
Personally I would have no concerns towing a car an withit, if you have concerns just buy the retaining plate, I wouldn't go to the expense of a fixed one.==================================
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
14th Mar 2019 10:57 am
James W
Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Riyadh, KSA
Posts: 3079
Agreed, I am considering a fixed Tow Sure tow bar but only if we do a potential France tour with the caravan next year so I don't have to keep taking it off and on constantly between towing.
When I put the detachable tow bar on I always feel and visually inspect that the pin has correctly sprung out/extended correctly.D4 XS, gone, much loved, never forgotten
2018 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography - Gone to someone with less sense and more time to enjoy it
2016 Toyota Hilux Invincible - Liberating experience
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