Hi,

We are looking to purchase a 2010 to 2012 4.4. TDV8 fairly soon, to replace our previous car (XC90) that has gone back at the end of lease. We were due to get a new car in July, a Touareg, but VW have delayed the build until at least the last week in October. So, we are assessing other options. Always fancied a RR and knowing how much we have spent and will spend on the next lease, decided to take a look at a high specc'd V8

Anyway, will scan the huge resource on here, but just hoping for a quick answer. If we are looking at photos of cars for sale, we can obviously see if it has a fixed tow ball, but are there any giveaways, bumper cut-outs etc. to show that it has a removeable ?

I have seen a couple with what looks like a cylinder hanging down... is that the receptacle for a removable ? Still looks quite obvious (and weird...) if so. The XC90 had a retractable, so this is all a bit different to us.

Yes mate, that’s the receiver for the removable tow ball.

You will need that on the car.

 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

You can see a pic on this thread, and also the fact that you can remove the receiver too, and put a square bung in the tow frame. You might not see on pics if they have done that, but I dare say if the car has a tow bar, 99% will still have the ball or receiver showing.... or as you say, an obvious fixed tow bar....

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic59529.html?highlight=tow

Thanks fellas. Just the job.

Just need to get the wife a test drive for the green light to purchase one. I will only really be driving it when we are towing, which I imagine will be a breeze .

Nothing much tows better than a tdv8 322.

The 4.4 is effortless, easily towed my 3.5 tonne trailer fully loaded and my twin axle caravan.

IMHO, the 322 tows slightly better than the 405, you will no doubt be able to find folk who think the opposite, but having towed with, 5series, Skodas, vans, a land cruiser, hilux, disco4, 322 and a 405, my 4.4 322 was my favourite.

If you have a look you will see there are 2 types of tow bar available, both of which can be removed. Plenty of info on here. One thing to bear in mind is the original equipment tow bars are no longer available, which means if you buy without then you will be on an aftermarket bar, not a problem in itself, and some are quite neat, but imho I prefer the original ones.

The second type of bar you see is known as the farmer hitch. So you may see some cars with just the armature on the back of the car. So look at MJDs pic, the bit the cylinder is bolted into is the armature, the farmers hitch takes the place of the detachable receiver part. And is normally found in a bag in the boot. 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

Is this the "farmer hitch". Is it correct that either of them can be removed completely with just the one Nut and Bolt that holds them onto the square socket?

I suppose it depends what make of tow bar it is on that car. I don’t know if it’s factory fit etc, so don’t know if it has the armature underneath with the square peg etc.

You can see the bolt on my pic that holds the attachment on. It’s got the safety pin pushed through the end of it. But yesterday, if it has the armature (the frame with the square hole) you can unbolt the pin and swap them over.

 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport