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adameverett



Member Since: 14 Nov 2015
Location: Warwick
Posts: 110

United Kingdom 2005 Range Rover Sport TDV6 HSE Java Black
Flange Detachable Tow Bar - Tow Trust TL1HKF

I needed a towbar for occasional towing (dozen times a year) I was not happy with the LR design after reading stories about these. So this £194 detachable version from tow trust looked ideal, removable to not spoil the look of the car but also the extra braces which cannot be a bad thing when shunting my twin axle 1900kg trailer down steep slip ramps. I thought I would post some pics fitted to the sport for anyone else who might be considering options. When I was looking I could not find many photos of this model fitted to a sport so I hope these maybe useful for anyone else evaluating options.

Unboxing the various parts looks good quality and are all corrosion coated quite impressed.

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Fitting took me about 3 Hours, I thought I was going to have it all done in hour Rolling Eyes I struggled getting the receiver fully home, the lock pin was just not engaging. I filed out any old rust in the receiver (had been missing the red plug for years) still no joy. In the end I filed a small amount from radius base of the hitch insert. That gave it the extra couple mm needed to fully seat it up. The instructions say tap it upwards during inserting, this was just not working Big Cry so left me using the dremmel to take a small amount of the base radius away of the new hitch.

The 2 side braces were next they bolt onto the chassis by using the bolt that holds the bracket of the harmonic balances (<2008>2008 pack comes with some lugs to insert into the chassis to bolt through) You need to release the chassis bolt and slide the hitch brace between the chassis and the harmonic bracket. One side went well, but the other side the threaded chassis insert moved out of alignment so required some fiddling. Evil or Very Mad

When all fitted the detachable hitch is quite some distance out from the car compared to fixed version. This is to get the rotating release handle inline in the draw bar. This is not really an issue as its only fitted for towing.

Other than a couple of glitches all well and I am really happy with result Very Happy , probably an hours work for a pro!


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Post #493259 Sun Apr 10 2016 7:33pm
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RRSTDV8



Member Since: 12 Aug 2011
Location: Northamptonshire
Posts: 8798

United Kingdom 2012 Range Rover Sport SDV6 HSE Orkney Grey

Interesting. I'm considering one of the fixed bars as they have good reviews on the Disco forum. I had a look at the chassis bolts today to see how corroded they might be - surprised to find that the outer bolt is missing. Was your damper bracket fitted with a bolt on both sides of the rail? Doesn't surprise me if mine has been subjected to LR's legendary QA processes... Rolling Eyes 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Post #493266 Sun Apr 10 2016 8:54pm
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adameverett



Member Since: 14 Nov 2015
Location: Warwick
Posts: 110

United Kingdom 2005 Range Rover Sport TDV6 HSE Java Black

The damper bolt appears 2 parts, there is a bolt about 40m Long used on the inside face, this screws into the internal female end of the insert. The chassis insert has got a turned down 9mm square on the protruding outside face side (so you can hold it while tightening down the nut side). Damper bracket is clamped around the chassis. My cars 2005 and the inside bolts came out easier enough with a larger rachet bar. Its just a bit of a swine if the centres of the insert goes off cock with the hole. The bolt just will not want to go back home you have to jiggle a lift and pulling the outer side to re-align back up.

Post #493270 Sun Apr 10 2016 9:20pm
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RRSTDV8



Member Since: 12 Aug 2011
Location: Northamptonshire
Posts: 8798

United Kingdom 2012 Range Rover Sport SDV6 HSE Orkney Grey

So there was no bolt in the outer face of the chassis rail fixed in to the insert too - the bolt is only fixed on the inside face of the chassis rail? Bit odd.

Just re-read your post, there is obviously a missing bolt on my bracket. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Post #493271 Sun Apr 10 2016 9:35pm
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adameverett



Member Since: 14 Nov 2015
Location: Warwick
Posts: 110

United Kingdom 2005 Range Rover Sport TDV6 HSE Java Black

Maybe you have a >2008 there are slightly different fitting instructions for chassis brace. Kit for 2008 comes with 2 long bolts and 2 chassis inserts,


Click image to enlarge


Fitting guide shows the two differences,




Post #493302 Mon Apr 11 2016 12:43pm
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RRSTDV8



Member Since: 12 Aug 2011
Location: Northamptonshire
Posts: 8798

United Kingdom 2012 Range Rover Sport SDV6 HSE Orkney Grey

Mine's an early 2008 so I think it falls under the <2008 instructions. I'm guessing that when the damper weight brackets were put on the bolt was missed (it's missing from both rails) or the bolt has been removed by someone at some time. I'm hoping that the threads are ok and not too filled with crud or corrosion. Perhaps I'll pick up a couple of the bolts from LR and fitt new bolts to the bracket to be sure. Just need to figure out the part number next...

Thanks for the replies. Thumbs Up 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Post #493306 Mon Apr 11 2016 2:44pm
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Pufftmw



Member Since: 23 May 2012
Location: Carmarthenshire
Posts: 1047

United Kingdom 2007 Range Rover Sport TDV6 HSE Stornoway Grey

Based on this write-up, I've went and got the fixed version (£161) and sold my detachable to part pay for it, so not expensive in the end.

I too had problems getting the lock pin to engage. Cue much filing and then some judicious ekky thump, so its more or less seated properly. I sure as heck can't find the bolt that takes the place of the allen bolt Confused Couple of spare bolts in the kit but neither of them are the right thread...

Onto the next bit and like OP the first side brace went on without a problem (the n/s one). The second has been a complete nightmare and after 2 hours I gave up - it was getting dark and I had a shoulder op 3 weeks ago, so was in some pain at the end. As suggested I eased the other side of the chassis lug but still couldn't get it to line up as the bracket holding the counter/balance weight wouldn't move far enough over the right to allow straight access to the hole. I tried clamping but very hard to get a clear purchase. Will take it to my local specialist to do as I'm really feeling it this morning. Unless someone has any bright ideas or experience?

The instructions are clear and simple to follow. If it all just went together as indicated then it wouldn't take more than 45 minutes to do I reckon. Torque settings are in NM and my torque wrench is either ft/lb or kgf metres, so take a calculator if you're not NM!

That bloody bolt...

Post #500078 Sun Jul 03 2016 10:40am
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Tim in Scotland



Member Since: 30 May 2005
Location: Driving along in my automobile
Posts: 17476

2013 Range Rover Sport SDV6 HSE Stornoway Grey

I don't know if it is still available but Mantec or Safety Devices used to make a recovery peg that you could lock into the square receiver (for the few who do go off-roading)- FFRR L322 also had a similar subframe sort of system for the removable tow bar and I had the Freelander bike rack mounted between the tow bar and the drawer / tail of the the bit that fitted into the receiver. 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

Post #500081 Sun Jul 03 2016 4:50pm
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Pufftmw



Member Since: 23 May 2012
Location: Carmarthenshire
Posts: 1047

United Kingdom 2007 Range Rover Sport TDV6 HSE Stornoway Grey

Got it fixed at local MOT station in the end but still a struggle for two of us!

Looks good though Smile

Post #500152 Mon Jul 04 2016 9:23pm
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lwc1986



Member Since: 01 Apr 2019
Location: London
Posts: 7

United Kingdom 

Hi Adam

I think I have bought your car from a local dealer. Unfortunately the flange has been discontinued. I don’t suppose you still have it as I will be happy to buy it off of you.

Thanks
Luke

Post #578314 Tue Apr 02 2019 7:02pm
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adameverett



Member Since: 14 Nov 2015
Location: Warwick
Posts: 110

United Kingdom 2005 Range Rover Sport TDV6 HSE Java Black

Hi there, hope she's running well for you. Never missed a beat for me, sailed through last mot. Not sure what you mean flange? What is missing?

Post #578328 Tue Apr 02 2019 9:30pm
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lwc1986



Member Since: 01 Apr 2019
Location: London
Posts: 7

United Kingdom 

It’s missing the tow ball and detachable flange. I can’t seem to find them anywhere as they have been discontinued

Thank you for your reply too, only things I can’t work out is your aftermarket camera not sure it works and the front sensors have a bit of a fault but other than that you have done a great job. Lovely car!

Post #578329 Tue Apr 02 2019 9:36pm
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adameverett



Member Since: 14 Nov 2015
Location: Warwick
Posts: 110

United Kingdom 2005 Range Rover Sport TDV6 HSE Java Black

Hi,
I spent $$$$ getting her sound, lots of the common issues all sorted.
Rear camera, I had a after market display in front of the sat nav.
To be honest, say nav is useless, and could not part with 300 quid for a cam input to the existing unit. I took the display out as its wireless for additional cam on trailer.
Bummer about hitch. All present when sold. Have you checked under the back seats?

Post #578336 Wed Apr 03 2019 6:03am
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lwc1986



Member Since: 01 Apr 2019
Location: London
Posts: 7

United Kingdom 

Ah that would explain why I couldn’t find out how to get it to work! I will replace it then as it’s a nice idea to have one.

Yeah checked everywhere! That’s how I found cables for the camera and looks like a bass box was installed at some point. They must of taken it and sold it separately. Means the how towbar needs replacing as they altered the shape on the TL1 tow bar.

Thanks for you replies though as it will stop me hunting around for bits 😆

Post #578344 Wed Apr 03 2019 8:35am
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