Hi folks, I'm looking for some guidance/suggestions on my FL2's detachable towbar (FL2 TD4, 2013, genuine LR part).



This feels like a dumb question, but how should the lock work? I can fit the bar to the car (rotate the knob down against spring pressure, insert, then release to lock in place), but nothing I do moves the knob upwards to the 'green' section. It feels like I should be able to push the knob to the left then rotate upwards, but it won't turn. The key will turn in the lock, but does nothing except stop the knob from being pushed to the left.

As far as I can tell the thing is secured (just not key locked), but it's making me nervous (especially as I want to use it to tow a horse box!).

Any thoughts?

Press the handle in and then turn,the lock is crap best not use it in cases it fails in locked position

Thanks, I thought that might be the case but wanted a sanity check. Seems likely the mechanism is broken. I've never leave it fitted on the car, so theft isn't a concern.

I assume it's still OK to tow with the thing in the 'red' position? It certainly feels solid enough, but if there's any doubt I'd rather get it replaced with a fixed one.

Put the detachable part into the receiver. Apply arc or mig welder to the relevant contact points. Forget about locks and theft of towing implements. Landrover - turning owners into mechanics since 1948

2014 Orkney grey Freelander SD4 GS.
2004 Zambezi silver Discovery 2 Td5 (Gone)
1963 Surf blue Morris Mini Minor Super de Luxe (my little toy)

Horse Taxi wrote:

Hi folks, I'm looking for some guidance/suggestions on my FL2's detachable towbar (FL2 TD4, 2013, genuine LR part).



This feels like a dumb question, but how should the lock work? I can fit the bar to the car (rotate the knob down against spring pressure, insert, then release to lock in place), but nothing I do moves the knob upwards to the 'green' section. It feels like I should be able to push the knob to the left then rotate upwards, but it won't turn. The key will turn in the lock, but does nothing except stop the knob from being pushed to the left.

As far as I can tell the thing is secured (just not key locked), but it's making me nervous (especially as I want to use it to tow a horse box!).

Any thoughts?

That was the little detail I was missing -- just push the thing in and the mechanism takes care of the rest.

Very helpful, thank you!

Hello. Our tow bar is made by Brink/Thule 4248. For them there is a handle repair kit 9071050/9071054. Or handle from Volvo 30660198.

I dont know who makes the JLR OEM detachable towbar but they all work very similarly.

I have a Witter and lost the keys. Found you can buy spare keys from ebay for a few quid. The key number is on the lock barrel itself by the slot for the key - you can buy them from Witter too but for double the price. Jules