Can I change my tow bar easily?

I have a 2005 Freelander 1 Td4. It has a factory fitted, fixed tow bar.
I keep scraping it when driving off road! Is it easy/possible to swap it for a removable tow bar?

yes, just unbolts from underneath, think the removable uses same fixing holes,

took me an hour to fit a fixed one from start to finish, so not a great deal.

good luck.

Gtrimmings said:

I have a 2005 Freelander 1 Td4. It has a factory fitted, fixed tow bar.
I keep scraping it when driving off road! Is it easy/possible to swap it for a removable tow bar?

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I also have a fixed swan-neck long tow-bar.

Problem is overall ground clearance rather than overhang so my advice would be to leave it on - it actually protects the back end and the exhaust a bit when off-road.

If I didn't have one I would be fitting one as extra protection.

Scraping it does no damage except to the paint on the underside of the tow-bar.

My first TD4 didn't have any tow-bar and it was always hitting the back box on rocky descents.

Singvogel.

Great, thanks Optimus!

so..... 2nd question, where is the best place to buy the tow bar, and is there something specific I'm asking for?

I suggest that you have a really good look at a detachable tow-ball job fitted to a FL before you order one.

It's only the 'business end' bit with the ball that detaches so I don't think that you will gain that much extra clearance, because of the mount that will still be there.

S.

Thanks for the advice Singvogel.

My main concern is the electric socket on the tow bar keeps getting bent, and I'm worried its going to snap off? Which is why I thought a removable tow bar might be better?

Is there another way around this? ie moving the electrics.......

Gtrimmings said:

Thanks for the advice Singvogel.

My main concern is the electric socket on the tow bar keeps getting bent, and I'm worried its going to snap off? Which is why I thought a removable tow bar might be better?

Is there another way around this? ie moving the electrics.......

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Yes - I think that would be a better 'lateral-thinking' solution.

I'm sure that a flush-mounting socket could be installed higher up on the bumper valance perhaps.

Singvogel.

fit it where you want, up high under the bumper would be a good spot

bought mine off ebay, came brand new as a complete kit, can't remember the firm, but it was £75 all in.

could mount the electrics onto the tow bar rather than behind the hitch on a plate, pair of long bolts and two metal plates (unistrut / studding), but make sure it's all filed off nice, maybe give it a coat or two of hammerite or similar to stop rust.

Brilliant!! Thanks everyone, for your help!