Hi,

Thinking of getting a Witter tow-bar & electrics fitted by a local specialist fitter. Would have loved to get a genuine LR one but at 2.1/2 the cost, just can't be justified

The fitters (auto-bars.co.uk) assure me the installation will be left with 'everything working' for the caravan (lights, indicators, and auxiliary power (for fridge etc)

Has anyone used the Witter electrics as the genuine LR kit is approx £250 alone!

Not worried about fog lights being disabled when towing, think we can remember not to use them, and can always turn off the parking sensors via the dashboard switch if/when required. (proposed caravan has motor movers, so reversing with it will be minimal)

So anything else we should worry about?

Thanks for any advice Kola is the big solid black German Shepherd, Dobbie is.......a breed you've never heard of......yet;)

I would seriously only fit the landrover electrical pack ! horses for courses !
When I packed up working in garages in 2007 so many electrical gremlins & faults were caused by naff aftermarket electrical kits for tow bars !

Tow bars splits to two quite separate divorced items, the steel bar itself and the electrics, you can buy each off different suppliers and of different makers.
TOW BAR
Youve made a good choice with the Witter as it fits so quick and easy and with no holes to drill* and no bumper removal or cutting. The Witter bar comes as three different options
Fixed fixed flange .......)
Fixed Swan Neck ....... ) I think all use the same cross bar and brackets, its just which end bit gets bolted on.
Detachable Swan neck )
Fitting is so simple and easy, the only special tool I would recommend is the Torque wrench.
* Witter specify that you remove the left hand bumper refelector to reach and undo two factory fitted nuts. In practise once you realise where they are you can lie down and reach these without drilling holes.
I chose a detachable because I was worried (unecessarily) about the park sensors.
Take note that if you go for the fixed flange that if the caravan has an Alko hitch then the the tow ball MUST also be Alko as standard balls as supplied by the tow bar supplier will be short reach and can snag causing ball and hitch damage.
ELECTRICS
There are three options
Landrover Factory
Aftermarket Dedicated
Aftermarket Bypass
The best option for FL Auto owners is the factory option as the LR has 'intelligent Auto' and switches the gearchange points to a towing mode.
Bset alternative for manual owners is to buy a quality 'Dedicated' type as it will be compatible with the 'canbus' car operating system.
Final budget option is the Bypass electrics whic can in certain instances cause glitches to the canbus as mentioned above.
You seem concerned about cost, why not install the bar yourself and the base electrics from a mechanical fixing and routing point of view and use a specialist to make the final connections.
Kind regards from Fred 2010GS Auto ex Celeb, Santorini Black, 2011 facelift , spoiler, spats, mudflaps, LED footwell lamps, Witter detach,
Other cars:-
1958 & 1959 Austin J40 Pedal Cars under restoration (I make many J40 parts)
If you have an Austin J40 or Pathfinder Pedal Car looking for a new home pls PM me.
2009 Meriva

Agree with everything above other than

Quote:

The best option for FL Auto owners is the factory option as the LR has 'intelligent Auto' and switches the gearchange points to a towing mode.

I fitted a Witter detachable tow bar myself. It was very easy, with good instructions. I think you can download the fitting instructions before buying if you want to assess how difficult it is. It is quite heavy but the locating bolts are easily accessible.

I was fortunate in picking up genuine LR electrics from "oldgeezer" when he upgraded to a 13 pin sockets for which I was very grateful to him as he even dropped it off near my home! Are there any second hand electrics on ebay etc?

All up my bar and electrics cost just a shade over £200. - 2007(57) XS Auto, Rimini Red, Alpaca Leather.
- GCS Hawke - Sports, BRG, Vulcan 2.1 inj'. My toy - built it myself in 2001.

Interesting info on the dedicated Witter electrics also doing the gear change for towing.
Can any member now give any good reason for buying the real LR electrics?
Fitting the twin LR sockets to the witter detachable holder bolts was tricky, I welded bolt heads back to back for the right hand side to give access for the locking key to lock the swan detachable bit.
One day ill have to figure out how to add photos to a post!
Kind regards from Fred 2010GS Auto ex Celeb, Santorini Black, 2011 facelift , spoiler, spats, mudflaps, LED footwell lamps, Witter detach,
Other cars:-
1958 & 1959 Austin J40 Pedal Cars under restoration (I make many J40 parts)
If you have an Austin J40 or Pathfinder Pedal Car looking for a new home pls PM me.
2009 Meriva

Hi,

Thanks so much for all the informative replies and help. You are a clever lot! With the knowledge gained I have been able to do my own research, and have found a local indie who will supply, fit, and has the necessary software to reprogramme the car, not the cheapest quote I obtained but a full 30%+ cheaper than the dealer (its a pity that LR price themselves out of the market so often) They are a fully approved Witter installer as well!

They were the only installers that said straight away without any prompting from me, we will only fit the Witter dedicated wiring kit for your car, all the others tried to sell the much cheaper 'universal' kit

Now we just have to decide on weather to buy the caravan, or not  Kola is the big solid black German Shepherd, Dobbie is.......a breed you've never heard of......yet;)

Evening all,

Kola will be aware of some of my questions but I'm looking at the Witter detachable swan neck fitted by them direct @ £439.

I'm near Alton Towers and my nearest fitter is Derby, anyone aware of anyone else locally?

I've got a mobile fitter quoting £314 but they cannot guarantee the electrics will work with the dash as its a vehicle specific kit they have not fitted before.....it's turning into a bit of a pain in the proverbial!!

Maybe I should just Mr £314 do the work. They have come recommended.

James 2013 FL2 - Black Edition Auto
2013 FL2 - Black Edition Manual GONE!
Founder of the 'Microscopic LR Spoiler Badge Club'
Destroyer of chrome rears.....