Can I jump in here


Is it possible to fit the deployable tow bar to any L405 are they pre wired.
I tow for a living but my new FF doesn’t have a tow bar so it needs one fitting. 15MY SDV8 Vogue SE

Yes it should be. They aren’t pre wired as such but if you get the full parts list it will include the switch gear, harness etc, it should all be plug and play with a small bit of Diagnostics enabling.

As has been said the bits can be got off EBay etc, but I decided on the westfalia detachable kit which is pretty inobtrusive......

Click image to enlarge

All noted, I was planning to buy from LR directly with a warranty for piece of mind. But I'm hoping they're not that bad....

Any certain mileages, pitfalls begin to occur?


That westphalia looks quite good indeed. Just curious is there a plastic cover for the underside hole when tow bar is not in use or is it always exposed to elements? Same questions for the electric deployable?

There isn’t a cover which goes over it, except the red bung. Isn’t a cover for the deployable either.

The size of the “hole” round it can be reduced with a different rear tray piece and some cutting but tbh you can’t see it unless you are on the floor. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6

458GT wrote:

All noted, I was planning to buy from LR directly with a warranty for piece of mind. But I'm hoping they're not that bad....

Any certain mileages, pitfalls begin to occur?


That westphalia looks quite good indeed. Just curious is there a plastic cover for the underside hole when tow bar is not in use or is it always exposed to elements? Same questions for the electric deployable?

I have the original bumper insert as well as the tow bar insert for mine, so when the tow bar isn't fitted it has the original cover on so nothing is exposed:

So this one when the tow bar is fitted: https://jlr.parts/product/rear-towing-eye-cover-lr056299/

and this one when it isn't: https://jlr.parts/product/tow-hook-opening-lr108920/

Keeps everything nice and clean under there and one of the reasons I love the westfalia kit  Sold - Bell a 2015 MY16 Loire Blue Autobiography 4.4 SDV8
Previously George a 2007 MY07 Java Black VSE 3.6 TDV8
Previously a 04 MY04 Defender 90

I can confirm that the westfalia towbar is easy to fit (simply remove rear bumper) and the least visible. With the Swan neck removed the original bumper cover can be fitted without cutting. I purchased an additional cover from Ebay and cut a small bit out for when the Swan neck is fitted. Some other towbar brands are still visible even with Swan neck removed hence the recommendation fir the westfalia one. The electrics simply plug in. I didn't bother reprogramming, the only occurrence is the parking sensor beeps when reversing with the trailer, simply turn it off when reversing. Can't comment on cars with built in trailer assist.

Well, we’ll, well. Mine’s completely different and looks like this:

I have the Westphalia one like the pic above by NMJ .... not the big plated one, but the "hook". Detaches easily and tbh you cant see the hub, and Ive got the electrics also. I just take my covers off when I want to use it, and then pop it back on when nbot in use, and its super easy. Some suggest getting the part with the open space, but Ive never bothered.

I bought the parts of ebay for 300 quid in total I think! Maybe check my posts.

I'm like Alistair and tow a few times a year with the boat and jetski's but have a 3.0TDV6 and tbh tows just well.

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic47789.html

That thread has the install document for the L405 Towbar and thats where I got all the part numbers. Think Stan gave me it. all smug in my new plug!

2021 Westminster Black D300
2013 Vogue SE - gone
Some Porsche Cayenne guff pretending to be a 4x4!!
2006 Vogue
2004 Vogue
2001 Vogue

Never tried the original cover back on.... it’s in the garage somewhere so I will give it a go tomorrow! There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6

Does yours not include part of your back bumper NMJ? Mine does.... all smug in my new plug!

2021 Westminster Black D300
2013 Vogue SE - gone
Some Porsche Cayenne guff pretending to be a 4x4!!
2006 Vogue
2004 Vogue
2001 Vogue

Yes I think that bit is the one in the garage on the shelf

I haven’t dug it out yet. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6

I had an electronically deployable one retrofitted to my 405 when I picked it up as I don't like the look of the fixed ones and it's much nicer just to press a button than mess around underneath trying to fit a detachable one in nasty weather and yes it's expensive to fit but I doubt you'd regret it!

The ex gf's one is even deployable/retractable from the drivers seat but my later car doesn't have it, maybe because it was retrofitted rather than factory, not sure, could be "safety" related.

cupples8267 wrote:

The electrics simply plug in. I didn't bother reprogramming, the only occurrence is the parking sensor beeps when reversing with the trailer, simply turn it off when reversing. Can't comment on cars with built in trailer assist.

That’s one I was wondering about myself.

There is a towing assist thingy but I think that is more for hooking up and maneuvering.

ATC in the trailer will be much better than any car based solution IMHO. I have Alko’s atc on my caravan and you can feel it kick in if the van starts to sway about too much, just a slight pull at the rear of the car. I would think that is a more sensible way of correcting a problem than a dab of brakes from the front. There is very little you can do from the car in the event of a tank slapped to correct it other than slowing down gently, and a dab of brakes isn’t recommended, I’m pretty sure there are retrofittable solutions for most trailers etc. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6

There is trailer stability assist which slows the vehicle automatically if instability is detected. MY 2017 has that, I'm not sure when it started. See ownerinfo.landrover.com, selecting your model year. Only Range Rovers since 1988

Mine SDV8 has the electrically deployment tow bar which is fantastic and also tows a 2000kg caravan as if it was not there. Best tow vehicle I have ever had.
 2019 Autobiography SDV8 Byron blue/black - current
2016 Vogue SE SDV8 Santorini Black/Ivory - sold
2009 RR Sport TDV8 HSE - sold