I'm looking at fitting a towbar to my 2011MY.

Is it worth going back to the dealer to get it done and how much would I pay? Or would it be worth using an independent specialist? Just concerned if I do have any issues (Rear Parking Sensors) how it would affect warranty.

What would an independent charge?

Thanks
Cosmjd

I'm in the same situation and have asked quite a few questions on the forum re this and have received good replies and info.

I was quoted £322 from towbar specialist, but this goes up to £522 approx with dedicated wiring loom.

Iain

There are many many old posts on this subject so a search will answer all your questions, but be aware that you will have to return to a dealer to have the firmware updated so it 'knows' when you are towing something. This sounds glamourous but all it does is turn off your rear parking sensors and flash a little trailer icon on the dash when indicating. You MUST have an approved wiring loom/interface installed for this to work.
Some makes of bar require a bumper cut, Witter don't.

Had mine fitted at the dealers, its a detactable tow bar and it set me back £500 all in. I just didnt want to have it fitted by one company then back to landrover to have it programed in. Since Having it fitted nearly two years ago no problems.
There is a small part of the lower bumper cut out but you cant see it unless you get down on your hands and knees to look. With the towbar section removed " quick release" you just see the two power sockets from behind, looks very tidy and im happy with it.
Although a fixed tow bar is cheaper they look ugly when on all the time and ive found that when I am loading the rear oof the car I tend to bang my leg on the towbar which is bloody painfull. Had a fixed one on my discovery, never again hope this helps

As a sub-note:
A removable bar is by far the nicest option, and if like me, all you do is very occasionally tow a trailer, it's nice to remove it most of the time.
However, I opted for a fixed because it was significantly cheaper, but also because of the overwhelming number of people who own cars but can't drive - it offers a little extra protection for those jerks who nudge their way in and out of parking spots.

Yer thats true mr T but if your going some where where you know theres gonna be plonkers just stick your towbar back on. Tow bar or not theres no pretection for the front end, its the risk we all take

I'd take it to an independent dealer to fit with the dedicated electrics module (to keep the electrical warranty intact). I'd then get the dealer to programme the ECU for 1/2 hour labour.

I installed my Witter Detachable one in 2 hrs on my driveway although a second pair of hands would have come in handy.

Best of luck,

Thanks for the advice. I have been digging around for quote which vary from about £450 from witter with a dedicated loom to £700 from a Land Rover specialist

If I went for a Witter with a dedicated loom I assume this keeps the electrical warranty intact and plugs into the socket on the left hand side in the boot. Is witter a good make or should I look for something else.

If it were me, given the age of the car and the need to keep the warranty intact, I would buy a genuine LR towbar and electrics from eBay (there are main dealers on there selling both fixed and detachable).

If you are mechanically minded, you could fit the towbar and electrics yourself (I did - took a couple of hours for the bar and about 30 minutes for the electrics) and then take to the dealer for the electrics to be recoded.
Alternative is to ask a mobile towbar fitter to come and fit it for you.
The bars & electric kits have full instructions that are easy to follow, this link has the details for the fitting instructions: http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic422.html
It looks like TOPIx is down this evening though as its giving an unexpected error message...

Worth looking into...

Cheers

Darren

Pity you didn't negotiate a deal with the dealer when you bought the car - I got mine for under half price.
The LR detachable is a great piece of kit and I think worth paying the extra cash for. It is so easy to use and doesn't involve you getting down on you hands and knees as my previous one did.

I ordered a new SD4 today with removable towbar. Initially I intend to tow a small trailer for garden waste etc, but will eventually buy a caravan (to replace a camper van Mrs GeorgeG persuaded me to sell). I have ordered a single 13 pin socket as this is neater and most caravans use this type now. Am I right in thinking that a trailer won't work on the 13 pin type socket without an adaptor? Is this a straightforward conversion or would I be better off with the old twin socket arrangement?

Keep the 13 pin and purchase an adapter for a trailer (approx £6 on evil bay ).
IMO 13pin offers a neat and tidy solution - Good work

Adaptor simple attaches to the socket and extends approx 2 inches out of the socket.

See here for an example
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-13-pin-Towbar-So...1305wt_907

maffs wrote:

Keep the 13 pin and purchase an adapter for a trailer (approx £6 on evil bay ).
IMO 13pin offers a neat and tidy solution - Good work

Adaptor simple attaches to the socket and extends approx 2 inches out of the socket.

See here for an example
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-13-pin-Towbar-So...1305wt_907

Yep, 13 pin is definitely the way to go - it looks much neater (I know because they originally fitted 2 * 7 pin sockets by mistake!), Also you dont have a white cap(second socket) so it makes it much more discrete.
I also have a small garden trailer which I use for trips to the dump and use an adpater. You can get them on ebay or your local caravan shop/trailer shop will also have them.

ONE WORK OF WARNING THOUGH......When you do get your caravan, if it has the alko hitch stabilizer built in to the hitch(all modern ones do) you MUST clean the towball after using it with the garden trailer. If not, you will contaminate the friction pads on the hitch with grease and need to get new ones. NOt expensive, just a pain in the neck. I was recommended to use Brake disc/pad cleaning fluid for this.

You will love the SD4 - it makes a great car....and towcar

decho wrote:

Yep, 13 pin is definitely the way to go - it looks much neater (I know because they originally fitted 2 * 7 pin sockets by mistake!), Also you dont have a white cap(second socket) so it makes it much more discrete.
I also have a small garden trailer which I use for trips to the dump and use an adpater. You can get them on ebay or your local caravan shop/trailer shop will also have them.

ONE WORK OF WARNING THOUGH......When you do get your caravan, if it has the alko hitch stabilizer built in to the hitch(all modern ones do) you MUST clean the towball after using it with the garden trailer. If not, you will contaminate the friction pads on the hitch with grease and need to get new ones. NOt expensive, just a pain in the neck. I was recommended to use Brake disc/pad cleaning fluid for this.

You will love the SD4 - it makes a great car....and towcar

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