Tow Bar Blues

Hi Everybody,

I have searched the forum for an answer to my particular question but wasn't able to find any articles that were appropriate - please accept my apologies if I have missed something.

I am now into day 3 of my RRS ownership and so far so good - I think!

I have about 5 errors which I will be looking at but, hopefully, none of them are serious as far as I am aware.

The primary reason for dipping my toe into the Land Rover lake, once again, was because I missed having a tow car.

After looking at several RR's and a few RRS's, (all with towbars), I hadn't found one that appeared to meet my expectations and then, ironically, the first one that did - was not equipped with a towbar but it did appear to have all the supporting hardware - but no sockets and no wiring harness?

I am not sure whether one was fitted, originally, and then removed for some reason or whether all RRS's are partially equipped - or am I completely mistaken?

I have taken some pictures of the towbar area and hope that somebody may be able to advise me further?

Gstuart very kindly pointed out that there should be a couple of connectors in the 'boot side locker' but on my 2010 RRS Autobiography TDV8 there is only a very small hatch on the right side of the boot wall - barely big enough to get a hand in!

Is this where I will find the two official LR towbar connectors if I fish around for them?

Here is what appears to be the towbar mounting crossmember or am I mistaken?



Here is what appears to be a towbar hook mounting plate - and if so what type of 'hook' will fit - is it a standard fitting - possibly not as the faceplate is angled and not vertical?

No idea, have you looked at disco 3 towbar threads as they're same car essentially

Looks very rusty.

J

Datatek said:

Looks very rusty.

Click to expand...

It won't be for long!

marjon said:

J

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Marjon,

Many thanks for the link - that explains matters fully.

I do recall reading some reports about 'quick release' towbars dropping out and the video shows a possible reason why - if the towbar has not been inserted fully and the locking pin fully engaged.

My last RR had the quick release towbar and I took a car trailer down to Plymouth and back and spent quite a while checking and then triple checking the tow bar in its receptacle.

Fortunately it held without issue - just as well as I had a CLK320 on the trailer on the way back!


Right now I need to find a towbar and a wiring harness.

Hi

sorry as I didn’t realise it was a newer RRS , saying that I wonder if the towbar electrics are behind the bumper ?

plus there was a recall on the quick release tow bars , just have to call ur local dealer with ur reg number

will see if if u can find the info ur looking for, assume it’s still a L320 as it’s before 2013 when it changed

ps, is there a panel above the towbar plse as I’ve just seen it’s suppose to be there but will keep searching

Here’s the electrics kit

Bingo, here u go, the full fitting instructions and location of the connectors

hope that helps

Gstuart,

Many thanks, once again, for your prompt response and for the wealth of additional information provided, (I was just downloading the fitting instructions when you posted the final link)!

The fitting instructions show the locations of the cables at either side of the rear of the vehicle, (logical), and PF Jones have a choice of dedicated cable kits for the RRS.

I may see if I can get a 13 and 7 pin kit so both chassis cut outs are used!

Obviously the car woukd need to be 'programmed' to automatically disable the rear parking sensors whenever a trailer is towed.

I have noted a few secondhand RRS detachable towbars on various classified sites so I will keep my eye out for something local!

Also stumbled across new spare wheel winch kits - the one on mine had been taken off, (no idea why), so a nice new one will go nicely underneath once I have scrubbed and rust proofed it!

Martian said:

I may see if I can get a 13 and 7 pin kit so both chassis cut outs are used!

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You don’t need two kits surely, only the 13 is enough ask them if they do a blank for the second hole. Many cars have them.

J

marjon said:

You don’t need two kits surely, only the 13 is enough ask them if they do a blank for the second hole. Many cars have them.

J

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It'd save carrying a 13 car to 7 pin trailer adapter i suppose

1988smithy said:

It'd save carrying a 13 car to 7 pin trailer adapter i suppose

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How you gonna get both sockets to work?
as they both plug into the same place.

Oh ok double piggyback plug ins

Fine if you want to spend another £80, rather than a tenner on an adapter .

J

marjon said:

How you gonna get both sockets to work?
as they both plug into the same place.

Oh ok double piggyback plug ins

Fine if you want to spend another £80, rather than a tenner on an adapter .

J

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Oh absolutely, suppose if you were towing loads of different stuff regularly it'd be worth the outlay

And as for the piggyback, I aint got a clue pal

Martian said:

Gstuart,

Many thanks, once again, for your prompt response and for the wealth of additional information provided, (I was just downloading the fitting instructions when you posted the final link)!

The fitting instructions show the locations of the cables at either side of the rear of the vehicle, (logical), and PF Jones have a choice of dedicated cable kits for the RRS.

I may see if I can get a 13 and 7 pin kit so both chassis cut outs are used!

Obviously the car woukd need to be 'programmed' to automatically disable the rear parking sensors whenever a trailer is towed.

I have noted a few secondhand RRS detachable towbars on various classified sites so I will keep my eye out for something local!

Also stumbled across new spare wheel winch kits - the one on mine had been taken off, (no idea why), so a nice new one will go nicely underneath once I have scrubbed and rust proofed it!

Click to expand...

hi

Ur so welcome and glad it helped u

indeed as far as I’m aware u either have the 12S / N sockets of the 13 pin socket

ref the winch , it may have been cut as the spare wheel can be nicked very quickly , including a detachable one , can nick the spare wheel and towbar in a few minutes

to prevent this ur see the updated winch has a metal collar around it , plus u get a spare wheel protection plate that secures the spare wheel from getting nicked

if u intend to do a lot of towing would fit a proper one that is bolted on seeing there’s the recall of some of the detachable ones coming out

hope that also helps u

old winch design

New design

Plus as a side note can highly recommend dinitrol for the chassis , I treated mine nearly 5 x years ago and still looks the same , none of it has chipped or come off

laid Down a large plastic sheet on the driveway and best to wear gloves and eye protection , along with some overalls

noting that plse don’t ever get under the landy without axle stands and best to disable the suspension before hand otherwise if u jack it up without disabling the system u can cause damage to the air struts

hope that also helps , couple of pics of my Chassis

Gstuart,

Many thanks, once again, for your assistance and I am very impressed with the underside of your vehicle!

Just a quick update . . .

I managed to order a towbar wiring kit from PF Jones, (I spoke to a very helpful assistant before placing my order), and it arrived yesterday.

I had a drive over to Spalding this afternoon to look at a towbar hitch and it looked OK, (but didn't want to fully engage), but as it looked in excellent condition and with two keys I decided to take a gamble.

I am not intending to tow anything I just want the tow hitch for my Thule 3 Cycle Towbar Rack!!

Anyway I stripped down the entire rear of my RRS late this afternoon but I could not find the towbar wiring loom end connector anywhere, (the harness provided by PF James is only about 12" long and terminates in a single 14 or 16 pin plug), so I have come to the conclusion that the supplied harness may be for the RR and not the RRS and I am hoping I can get it changed - fortunately i have not touched the harness other than look at it and read the instructions.

I don't want to put it back together just to have to take it to bits again - and, at least, I can replace the rear offside parking sensor whilst the rear bumper is in my garage!