I intend to have a towbar fitted in the near future, and using info from the forum I have been phoning around for prices, etc

what puzzles me is the two firms I called this morning both say no modification/computer programming is needed re the rear parking sensors on the FL2.

I find this strange as it has been discussed on many posts, and both these companies fit many towbars for Landrover dealers ??

can someone confirm please

thanks

Iain

ps I am thinking of a Witter swan neck, double electrics, which needs no bodywork alteration, £302 plus vat fitted.

I've got the Witter detachable which I am pleased with. Fitted it myself - no problems.

As to the electrics I brought an aftermarket box which fitted directly into the pre existing connectors on the LHS of the boot under the carpet/sidewall. I have had my local independant re-program as as far as I know all it does is disable the rear parking sensors when reversing and the rear fog lights on the FL. Obviously all when the trailer lighting circuit is plugged in. Both of these can be an annoyance when driving with a trailer. There may be other things that it does, but I'm not aware of them. Possibly other are.

Reported cost is around £50 for the reprogramming, but mine was done as a favour.

it makes the speedo read 20 mph more than reality, hence vanners always think they are making good speed when in reality..........  At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

When I bought my FL2 I was quoted an astonishing £800 + VAT by the dealer for a LR towbar.
I finally bought the towbar and the electrics off E Bay for £56 fitted it myself (around 3 hours work) and then took it to the local dealer who charged me £57 to turn it on

I take it the programming must do other things apart from the reversing sensors ? as if they came on while reversing with a caravan/trailer you can just switch them off using the button on the dash ?

Iain

Programming also makes the tell tale flasher work on the dash - Seem to think by law you have to have something to tell you if the trailor indicators are working or not when driving So it's a light on the dash or an 'on off' buzzer which I had years ago on an old car (doesn't annoy you + the kids in the back much )

does anyone know (whilst your talking towing dash lights) why my dash light works fine when towing the caravan, but when i attach the thule bike rack instead, even though the light on the rack work as they should, i only get a single flash of the green trailer when indicating  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

npinks wrote:

does anyone know (whilst your talking towing dash lights) why my dash light works fine when towing the caravan, but when i attach the thule bike rack instead, even though the light on the rack work as they should, i only get a single flash of the green trailer when indicating

perhaps it's missing the caravan  2002 Honda VFR800
2002 Toyota Celica 140 Silver (mid life crisis - again!)
2007 FL2 GS Manual Army Reconnaissance Green + freel2.com sticker
2004 Toyota Celica 140 Black - Gone
2000 Toyota Celica 140 Silver - Gone
1998 Toyota Celica ST Pearl Green - Gone
1996 Nissan Primera 1.6 - Gone
1994 Rover Montego 1.6 Auto - Gone

could be but i use the bike rack when im away in the caravan only transporting my 5yr old bike around and they often parked up next to each other on a night so i think its something electric based Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

phoned the towbar fitting company back for more info.

they fit the witter towbar with the fixed swan neck and universal electrics. ( not OE landrover wiring kit )

advised 13pin socket instead of twin 7pin as I am most likely to be buying a brand new caravan.

no lights on the dash to show that you are towing, and they fit a bleeper for the indicators to work when towing.
nothing done to parking sensors as you can switch them off manually on dash if required.

£322 plus vat fitted.

comments appreciated

Iain

had tow bar fitted to my 2011 spec freelander xs cost approx 220.00 no programming nessary rev sensors woking ok dont worry speak to a proper tow bar firm  rainy-city
xs

Quote:

does anyone know (whilst your talking towing dash lights) why my dash light works fine when towing the caravan, but when i attach the thule bike rack instead, even though the light on the rack work as they should, i only get a single flash of the green trailer when indicating



Have you got LED lights on the bike rack board? if so they will need the ballast resistor in the curcuit.

I went to an independent towbar fitter, they installed a 'Witter' removable type with the dedicated wiring loom to take advantage of the Freelanders existing plug/sockets, rather than splicing into the loom. LR will use it as an excuse if a dedicated loom is not used on any future electrical problems the car may have.
The dedicated loom and software update (done by the local towbar firm) also takes advantage of the trailer light indicating a 'blown bulb' situation, sensor deactivation (as not all models have a dashboard switch) and the Transmission Control Module of the auto box looks after the 'Uphill and trailer' mode by monitoring engine torque, throttle opening and speed sensor signals (as per page 22 in Alex's Auto Box Description and Operation document)
Landrover dealer fitting is too expensive and my local fitters did the removable towball / dedicated loom and software update for approx £400.
I have a rear view car photo in my gallery as to what it looks like with no cutting involved.

Last edited by EYorkshire on 6th May 2011 4:40 pm. Edited 1 time in total

good point EYorkshire re the warranty issue if a dedicated Landrover wiring loom is not used.

to be honest I am now in a bit in a quandry as to what to do now.


Iain

iain cooper wrote:

........ and they fit a bleeper for the indicators to work when towing.
......comments appreciated

Iain

IT WILL DRIVE YOU MENTAL - don't do it, spend a bit more dosh, you won't regret it