Tow bar

[Steve Care]

I have to get a tow bar fitted to a Discovery which is 6 months old
Was going to get a witter as the main dealer want 3 times as much are this make as good as the rest or does it not matter to much

[Alan]

I had witter towbars on most of my cars with no problems. (Although ironically enough not on the Disco I had as a company car!). Considerably cheaper than OEM version so I'd go for it.

[Cookee]

I would say mechanically they are all similar - it's down to the fitter and how well the electrics are done that make the differance and the quality of the socket, some of them are about as waterproof as a cheese sandwich, so all the wires corrode and your lights don't work!

[thewavehumper]

get a height adjustable one if you can

[Steve Care]

Thanks for that cookee,at least its the wife's car so she will be stuck with no lights not me

[Red Fox]

I have the LandRover factory fitted one that came with the vehicle (Disco). It is a fixed swan neck type and is exactly the right height for the rib and caravan. Try get your Disco dealer to match the Witter...if they want the business then they should!

[chrisallse]

I have the Landrover one fitted to my 110, it may be more expensive but it is very good quality. if you are going to tow near the limit i would go for the LR. The electrics fit to the existing loom by plugs if you get the LR Electric Kit

[Garygee]

Try towsure http://www.towsure.co.uk.

They are even cheaper then Witter.

Have always used these and find them fine.

As far as strength, all tow bars now need to be tested, so if they are not up to the job, even the cheap ones they cant sell them.

Regards Gary

[Aging Youth]

Hi Steve,

Try this web site for anything 4X4.

www.difflock.com

Regards

[my girls]

Steve
Try towrite at Upminster, they supply all Witter towbars at a fraction of the cost at dealers. My Shogun was quoted £600 + vat and that was discounted by Mitsi, Towrite fitted the same towbar with twin electrics for £257 inc vat.


Richard

[jwalker]

Originally posted by Garygee


As far as strength, all tow bars now need to be tested, so if they are not up to the job, even the cheap ones they cant sell them.

Regards Gary

Yeh, but.... I had one of these on a car. It had all the relevent markings but it was bent to buggery. Looking at its construction, it was far too lightly built.
Look well at the construction and estimate where the loads are. Look at the position of the welds and the sections of the metal. Imagine what the loads would be if you, your car and trailer got pear-shaped. If you reckon it would all stay together, buy it.

This wont apply to your Disco but, generally, if the towball mounting flange is butted against a piece of square tube and simply welded around the back, walk away. This construction is common place and it places the whole of the towing load onto that single weld. I once saw a motorway accident where the towball and its mounting plate were still attached to the car. The caravan was on its side across the central reservation.

[aligator]

Hi Steve
Ive been a bit late in reading the posts so you may have already made a desicion if so sorry !
if not , witter are a well known make
and often have been featured in caravan magazine articles visits to factories ect,
try this guy he will come to your home and fit thebar and being an auto electrian will also do the electrics .
I had no problems when he did my merc, and he was reccommended to me by a trailer/ seat belt fitting company who couldn't fit mine in the time i needed it.

Taucus auto electrics
brian sheppardson
01932761117
mob 07860741151

He will travel

used him about 2yrs ago tow bar and electrics still going strong.

Alistair

[philg]

I fitted a Land Rover tow bar to my Disco (Series 2) last year. The dealership wanted an arm and a leg to fit it, I can't remember the exact figures but it was over 100 quid.

I ended up buying the kit from them and fitting myself.

It was pretty easy, took about an hour and a half. You do need some pretty big spanners/sockets though 28mm I think.

The electrics were peice of p**s, most of the wiring already exists on the car. You take out the RH indicator cluster and plug in a short extension loom that comes in the kit, the socket is attached to the end of this loom. You get all of the cable ties and grommets etc.

I would be seriously tempted to keep a new vehicle genuine - use the LR parts - but either fit them yourself or take them to someone who can do it at a sensible price.

[Alan]

Originally posted by Steve Care
I have to get a tow bar fitted to a Discovery which is 6 months old
Was going to get a witter as the main dealer want 3 times as much are this make as good as the rest or does it not matter to much

Steve,

If you go for a Witter and dont want the arseache of fitting yourself, a chap who is relatively local to you is Autow of Chelmsford. Tel: 01245 471722. He is a mobile fitter and will come to your office/home to do the job. I've used him 3 or 4 times and he does a good job at a reasonable price.

Towrite at Upminster are OK but I dont like their attitude and they 'aint the cheapest around. (IMHO of course.)

Cheers,
Alan

[Richard B]

Just to really cheese you all off...

Steve got his towbar done at a much lower price than the main dealer, and is currently spending the wedge he saved sipping cocktails and sunning himself on a carribean island

Did anyone get a postcard? I bloody didn't!

[Steve Care]

RB Sorry about the post cards didnt have enough for stamps!

I have had the witter fitted hopefully to the highest of standards
By starmo electrics at a very good price less than £200 with both elec sockects

[my girls]

Steve

Did you try Steve at Fineway Leisure, Wroxham in Norfolk for your new boat?