Need a towbar fitting to freelander 2 and after some advice.

LR dealers quote £755 for quick fit removable tow bar and single electrics or £613 for Fixed tow bar incl fitting and vat

What is the difference between them? do they tow the same weights?

I will be using it to tow an Ifor Williams 505 horsebox and flat trailer but only occasionally

Any advice or comments ?? Sept 1 2010 Now the PROUD owner of Galway Green Auto Diesel HSE

A couple of previous links on Towbars

http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic8273.html?highlight=towbar
http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic8291.html?highlight=towbar

Removable is just that, the removable swan neck locks/unlocks into the receptacle, some say leaving a more pleasing look to the rear of the car when removed.
The fixed, again is there permanently for you to knock your leg against every time you need to use the rear hatch.
a) The electrics are permanent.
b) The loading on the bar is the same fixed or removable
c) Both will handle whatever your vehicle specs say you can tow.
d) Get it done cheaper by not using the dealer.

Eyorkshiree

Many thanks for the advice...spot on thanks !  Sept 1 2010 Now the PROUD owner of Galway Green Auto Diesel HSE

You're welcome, anymore detailed advice can be got from PM'ing our resident towing expert Chicken Georgie

Don't know if this is true but I have heard that a tow bar can affect the working of the rear parking sensors. Our LR2 has parking sensors so we were advised to get a removable one... which is what we wanted anyway so that is what we are getting.

Ours will be a lot cheaper. We found out who installed the tow bars for our LR dealer (They often don't install them in-house) and we went direct to them. Saved us over £250. All is identical to me going to LR... the same guy will fit the very same parts in the same workshop... just cutting out LR and their profit!

It is outrageous that LR mark up their tow bar installations by such a huge amount!!!

If I leave the towball in it has made no diffference to the rear sensors on either of the Freelanders I've had, the only time the sensors sound off when the towball is in is when the trailer is attached. Someone wanting you to spend a bit more me thinks or they had a detachable on the shelf they couldn't shift  p****d off with a Digital Keyboard Warrior

Likewise I have a removable towbar and have no issues with reversing sensors when the towbar is in place and my sensors are automatically disconnected when I plug in the electrics for the caravan or any other trailer.

I got my dealer to include the towbar and electrics as part of the deal when I bought the car although like most others they farmed the job out to the local specialist.

Neil

It definitely isn't a scam to get me to buy a removable. The owner of the shop is a long-standing good friend of my neighbour. They know each other well and I was referred to him through the neighbour who is a good friend of mine. They wouldn't do that to a friend I am sure.

I am certain they are genuine. They did say it could (not definitely would ) effect parking sensors and only in certain circumstances. They did give me the option but just said that removable would be better if I have sensors to have removable.

I have a witter permanent towbar fitted to mine cost just over £250 fully fitted with single electrics. Absolutely no problem with rear parking sensors they still work perfectly well (when its not raining!! - a universal condition I understand)

It is worth noting that there are two ways to install a tow bar to an LR2. The first is using the proper LR wiring loom addition. This is more expensive but it then the electrics are then wired in to the car in the same way that LR recommend. The second is the cheap and chearful way with a cheaper wiring.

The second way might be cheap but you lose some of the clear functions that you do get when doing it the first. With the proper wiring when the trailer electrics are connected it automatically disables rear parking sensors. It also remaps the enging to be more suitable for towing, holding gears longer etc.

Regardless of who installs a tow bar I would highly recommend getting the proper LR wiring and getting it installed by someone familiar with installing it in the approved LR manner.

thank you for the info.....I will go for the LR fitted one with the right wire loom....chose the fixed one....

Thanks for the advice Sept 1 2010 Now the PROUD owner of Galway Green Auto Diesel HSE

I've just fitted a Witter detachable with LR comaptiable electrics pack from PF Jones. I think it was a good price, was reasonably simpe to fit (does not require the rear bumper to come off nor any cutting) and once the computer is programmed allows all functions. I also got the computer program changed during a service at my local independant at no cost

If you don't mind a little work it is a satisfying afternoon's work.

Quote:

It also remaps the enging to be more suitable for towing, holding gears longer etc.

Is this true ? How does the car know if you have a horsebox complete with horse or an electric board for a bike rack  What if there were no hypothetical situations?

Gunfa, There is an old thread on here going back a couple of years maybe but it has been said that it puts the Auto versions into Sports Mode, if I recall, I asked the same question. p****d off with a Digital Keyboard Warrior

Gunfa wrote:

Quote:

It also remaps the enging to be more suitable for towing, holding gears longer etc.

Is this true ? How does the car know if you have a horsebox complete with horse or an electric board for a bike rack