Has anyone fitted a standard (non detachable) towing bracket with 50mm ball.
I am interested to find out if it effects the rear parking sensors.
Thanks waaxh03

Yes I have a swan neck fitted by L/R dealer and it has no effect on the sensors, go for it
David David

Thanks David for the info. I have been considering either a Witter or a Brink. I will check if they do a swan neck type. Thanks again.
waaxh03

waaxh03 wrote:

Thanks David for the info. I have been considering either a Witter or a Brink. I will check if they do a swan neck type. Thanks again.
waaxh03

I'm hot on the trail of a towbar myself; must have one inside 3 weeks for taking the caravan away ...

I baulked at the LR cost so did not have one fitted by the dealer prior to delivery. HOWEVER, I've spent a lot of time following this up with tow bar specialists and believe I might have to swallow my pride and go the LR route, though I'd be hard pushed to use my supplying dealer 'cause of previous poor service.

At present the only towbar available seems to be the 'Brinks' that's what LR fit and they are already available from towbar specialists, the Witter bar is not yet available (as per my local specialist last weekend). However, the big issue seems to be wiring. Inside the left rear trim in the boot there is a plug for trailer lighting unit to plug directly into, if you go the LR route they have the correct box of tricks to plug into this no problem. If you go the after market specialist route then they may not use this, I’m very concerned about possible warranty issues if that plug isn’t used.

One question that I yet to get an answer to is the programming of the electronic stability program. Once a trailer is attached is this program adjusted in any way? I know that on other makes of car the ‘software’ in the car is programmed to recognize that a trailer is attached and as a consequence the stability program is modified. This adjustment is almost certainly not going to be made by a none LR fitment.

After due consideration I’ going to go the LR route but am shopping around other dealers to see if there is any price advantage.

From my dealer accessory price list;
LR002740 - Quick Release Tow bar - £215 ex VAT, Fit time 1hour - Total fitted £352.50 incl VAT
or
LR002742 - Swan neck Tow Bar - £120 ex VAT, Fit time 1 hour - Total fitted £240.88
or
LR002738 - Fixed Height Tow Bar - £150.00 ex VAT, Fit time 1 hour - Total fitted £276.13

(Gives a dealer Labour rate of £85/Hr + VAT if you work it out!!!!!!!

N & S electrics - £226.19 fitted
13 pin electrics - £226.19 fitted Don`t drive faster than your angel can fly!

avtur and nicam. Please keep me informed what else you find out and what towbar you decide on getting fitted. I am uncertain if to get a Quick Release, Swan Neck or Fixed Height. Do you have any recommendations?
I didn't realise that the electronic stability program may need re-programming.
My FL2 is due to be delivered early May and I want to use it to take my caravan to the Caravan Club National Rally over the Spring Bank Holiday.

Thanks
waaxh03

waaxh03 wrote:

Has anyone fitted a standard (non detachable) towing bracket with 50mm ball.
I am interested to find out if it effects the rear parking sensors.
Thanks waaxh03

OK guys let me understand. If you want a quick release tow bar do you have to buy the electrics accessory as well? total of 579,69 pounds? And all this just to carry my trayler? wow! And one more thing what is the difference between the simple N & S electrics and the 13-pin one?

Yes there are three different types of tow bar, the quick release is the most expensive. And all require the electrics fitment in addition.

The N&S electrics I think is a UK standard, it is two plugs, only one is required for a simple trailer but both are required for a caravan. The 13 pin fitment is (I believe) a standard in Europe, some people in the UK are starting to fit this as it is said to be more reliable than our two plug system.

If it helps my swan neck tow bar fitted and inc vat as follows
Swan neck towbar fitted and inc vat £211.50
S&N electrics with two connections, needed if towing caravan, fitted and inc vat £235
David David

Witter have now got their price list on the net for the FL2 towing bracket. The detachable (R41Q) is £316.08 incl vat and the Flange towbal (R40) is £164.50 incl vat. These brackets are due out late March.
I haven't seen a Witter Swan Neck type mentioned. See URL.

http://www.witter-towbars.co.uk/towbars/new_witter_towbars.aspx

Then there are the electrics. Witter also do dedicated electric kits for the 12N socket for various vehicles. As yet this these kits are not mentioned on the Witter web site for the FL2. I expect these kits will include the appropriate plug to fit the socket behind the trim on the left hand side of the boot (that avtur mentioned earlier). They also do kits for the 12S socket which isn't dedicated to any particular vehicle. See URL.

http://www.witter-towbars.co.uk/accessorie...cated.aspx

I think at these prices I may as well let Land Rover supply and fit one.

waaaxh03,

I was talking the service manager at my dealer about towbars just yesterday. One point he mentioned (and I don't know if this is LR making the most of the situation) is that once the electrics package has been installed that the car needs to go on the 'diagnostics computer' to make sure that the car's ECU is recognizing the trailer lights. All in all too many unknowns at this point to make me feel comfortable using a towbar specialist, so mine is now booked in for the dealer fit job.


David L,

You mentioned that you have the swan neck fitted, can you answer a couple of questions please? First where are the sockets fitted and second is the swan neck compatible with a stabilizer hitch e.g Alko? (I think it is but have forgotten!)

Thanks

I went for fixed height as part of the deal when the vehicle was bought. You dont feel the pain quite as much !! It was the only one you could fit a drop plate to , and I can also use my Discovery D3 bike carrier on it as well which is a definite added bonus. For me , bolts is best !
Avtur, so far as the Alko hitch is concerned, the important thing is the depth of the neck below the ball to allow for articulation. I cant see you have a problem.

Thanks Transman, I thought it looked OK. I probably should have had it included, but the dopy sales man couldn't come up with an accurate price (don't ask!)

Now then, sort of tow bar related, anyone found a good set of extension mirrors? I've tried the ones I had for the Mazda but they don't quite fit, the mirror casing is quite large on the Freelander.....