Detachable Towbar on Discovery 4

[Old Bull]

When we bought our Discovery new Nov 2012 it was supplied with a detachable towbar rated at 3.5 tonnes. Having seen on social media that there was a problem with these towbars wearing in the socket, we took it to our local Landrover dealer who have condemned it as not safe to use. They said that Landrover had sent out a recall letter in early January which we have not received. If anyone else has not got the letter please go and get your towbar checked.

 

[Old Bull]

Having contacted Landrover Customer Service they have told us they will replace the towbar with a fixed one. The only downside is it needs a replacement chassis beam where the tow bar is located as it is worn where the detachable bar fits so we will be without the vehicle for a week. Discussions are ongoing as to a courtesy car! We will be very disappointed with Landrover if they don't provide one after all the hassle we have been through today.

 

[Paddington]

Is it the actual towball that is wearing or where the towbar attaches to the car?

 

[Old Bull]

No its not the ball its where the towbar actually attaches to the chassis.

 

[Hedge Hunter]

No its not the ball its where the towbar actually attaches to the chassis.

common problem with cars fitted with caravan tow bars for the holidays.

should of brought a 110 ...

 

[dunkie]

Lady I know has an 06 from new, serviced by LR,same address for 20yrs, never received notification, came adrift two horses in it (they were ok) wrote of a new Ifor Williams trailer, story was in Horse and Hound.

 

[dunkie]

common problem with cars fitted with caravan tow bars for the holidays.

should of brought a 110 ...

A Discovery can tow as much as a 110, Land Rover make towbars to that capacity,

 

[Hedge Hunter]

A Discovery can tow as much as a 110, Land Rover make towbars to that capacity,

yes but the defender has a real tow bar hence the disco one is floppy.yes its rated at a similar weight but its made of cheese and crisps.tow with a comercial vehicle and it will tow allday.
tow with a car and it will wear out

 

[dunkie]

That's ok, you've never seen a broken or corroded chassis / rear cross member on a defender, anyway we are drifting from the thread.

 

[Hedge Hunter]

That's ok, you've never seen a broken or corroded chassis / rear cross member on a defender, anyway we are drifting from the thread.

nope not on mine.i wouldnt even bother with a detachable tow bar.

 

[ridger]

No its not the ball its where the towbar actually attaches to the chassis.

Weld it on, I'd never dream of detaching the drawbar, is it not a hassle putting on the drawbar every time you want to trailer?

 

[Hedge Hunter]

Weld it on, I'd never dream of detaching the drawbar, is it not a hassle putting on the drawbar every time you want to trailer?

yeah good option but it wont look like a daft car with that stuck out.the owners might brush their cordroury trousers on it in the M and S car park.

 

[Clive]

yeah good option but it wont look like a daft car with that stuck out.the owners might brush their cordroury trousers on it in the M and S car park.

this is what electrically retracting range rover tow bars are for

 

[roscoe erf]

yeah good option but it wont look like a daft car with that stuck out.the owners might brush their cordroury trousers on it in the M and S car park.

But it won't have towed anything so no grease on it

 

[Hedge Hunter]

But it won't have towed anything so no grease on it

i only take the defender to the supermarket.it has a side exit exhaust and its greasy and muddy.i allways try find a land cruiser or hilux to park too close too ...

you would be amased how clean the side panels get when children and toff wipe it with moulskin and cordroury

 

[Frillynilly]

Landrover know all about the issue. We had it with our discovery 4. Our trailer flew off because the tow bar fell out. company who make the death trap tow bar are a company from Holland called Brink. I've looked on the Internet and they have a UK based but it's all the same website. Our neighbours caravan detached from the vehicle because of a faulty towbar from land rover (or Brink who knows?!). Why haven't they replaced every single one for safety?

 

[DTW]

Landrover know all about the issue. We had it with our discovery 4. Our trailer flew off because the tow bar fell out. company who make the death trap tow bar are a company from Holland called Brink. I've looked on the Internet and they have a UK based but it's all the same website. Our neighbours caravan detached from the vehicle because of a faulty towbar from land rover (or Brink who knows?!). Why haven't they replaced every single one for safety?

Official Land Rover detachable tow bars are made by Brink we have one fitted to our Discovery Sport (fed up with the wife borrowing my truck for the horse box) have had the tri-axle Ifor Williams on the back of it, not sure if I'll do it again after reading this thread

 

[Zebbedee]

My towbar has been replaced by lr for a fixed one, I seem to recall that the detachable bar is rated well below 3.5t towing capacity.

 

[DTW]

My towbar has been replaced by lr for a fixed one, I seem to recall that the detachable bar is rated well below 3.5t towing capacity.

Yes I think your right our Discovery is rated at 2.2 t

 

[landslave the 2nd]

Can someone put a picture up of said bad part