Evening gents

Just bought my first FFRR ....

I will be having a multi height towbar fitted,but I'm concerned that IMHO they are easily removed ,the vehicle will be used for towing most days and to remove the towbar every day will be a pain,has anyone made theirs more secure?,I was wondering wether to get it spot welded somewhere...thoughts/ideas appreciated thanks

My old one just rusted solidly into place, but you could just replace the Pin and K Clip with a nut and bolt or even replace the clip with a small padlock (a bigger one if you drilled the hole out). Geoff

I think you are thinking that the slide pin and R clip are easily removed and then the insert is slid out. You could measure and buy a bolt and nylock nut. The bolt should be only threaded at the last inch, so the shaft stays snug. This could only really be emroved with a ratchet and a spanner, making it rattle less, and more secure.
You could also look for a long shackled padlock, and swap it for the R clip. and drill the slide pin a little to fit it. But it might get full of silt and never reopen. The towbars are expensive, so are worth thinking about.

Thanks,I can't believe that LR don't do a more secure/permanent one

Nowadays, with the modern Range Rover, its easier and qicker, to just steal the whole car, rather than just take the sundries bolted to it! what a world we live in!

LR do a replacement nut and bolt and it is torqued up pretty high.

Stops the annoying rattle.

Ian

Rattle ?? Can't be doing with that

Rattle - that's why my dealer did the mod.

Can't post picture as that car has now gone.

Ian

No worries

There is a modified drop plate tow bar with a bolt instead of a pin to secure it. Originally this was offered if the owner complained that the standard tow bar rattled.

The part number is VUB503110. I bought one in 2010 but have no idea if it is still available.

There were 3 options - one with a hole through and a pin, the same but with a bolt and a third with a partially threaded hole & a bolt.

I had the middle one, but changed the bolt for a pin as I generally take it out when not in use & don't find it rattles with a trailer that has decent nose weight.

I also have the threaded option which I bought as a 'spare' and leave in Bordeaux - I did that after arriving there to remember that I'd left the tow hitch on my garage floor & had to pay the storage people to launch & retrieve my boat

The threaded one is no doubt better if you're leaving it permanently installed - I only have that one as i got it at a good price second hand.

Cheers chaps ...I will leave it on permantly so will go the bolt/nut route and probably get it spot welded as an extra precaution

The part number I quoted above is for Alistair's third option. Once it is tightened up properly nobody is likely to steal it.

Don't suppose you have a pic of the part (VUB503110)

Worth a look at the ABUS Expedition Padlock - might have to drill out the pin a bit. Geoff