Removable towbars or modifications to standard

[nat_hale]

Hi all,

My Disco has got a standard towbar on it, and is the single biggest hinderance when off-road (as I'm sure most of you know too!).  I could do with having a towbar for occasional use, so need some alternative.

The ideal solution seems to be a removable towbar... but I only know of 2 sorts available - 1 being the Scorpion Racing detachable unit (about £200), and the other being the Southdown tank guard with built in removable towbar (about £300).

Anyone got any info or experiences with either of the above? The obvious difference is with the Southdown option you get the tank guard, but adding the Scorpion tank guard to their towbar works out about the same overall price as the Southdown, and I'm not too fussed about the guard at the moment.

Anyone got any other ideas or know of any other products?

Cheers,
Nat

[kzycnn]

Mine is on a Series 2 Disco, but the concept is the same.  I use the Scorpion Racing set up - both detachable tow bar and fuel tank guard and have no complaints about either.

One advantage of the Scorpion set-up is that you can have either a tow ball or reveiver hitch fitted.  The latter then gives you a good rear recovery point when off-roading.  Again I have both options.  The receiver hitch is carried in the car, and fitted when off-roading.  Tow ball is left at home until I need it.

Tony

[Range Rover Blues]

The Scorpion one also allows you to use the to hitch on the front if yo buy the next peice of kit.

The Southdown doesn't need anything extra for recovery as it has 4 19,mm holes already in it, so your £300 is all you need spend unless you want to use a hi-lift in the centre for casting off etc, then the attachment is about £50.

I have the southdown, the one downside is the weight, if drops the car about 10mm or so too!

[thumbs]

ive got a 17 and 19mm socket and spanner, dam sight cheaper!  :D

[Ralph Hardwick]

This is something I am looking into as well.

When you get the Scorpion bracket do you get the drop plate and/or hitch with it or are these extra? If there extra any idea how much they add to the whole package.

Also; from the pictures I've seen it looks like you can mount the trailer sockets either side of the socket on the scorpion one but you need to be a bit more imaginative with the southdown one.

Ralph

[John T]

ive got a 17 and 19mm socket and spanner, dam sight cheaper!  :D

Got to agree, mount the electrical socket away from the bar and weld the two top bolt heads to stop them turning................... time to remove tow bar - 3 mins  :D

[Jake]

I use the Southdown tank guard.
I tow my caravan on it with no problems and the tank guard has already saved my fuel tank and few times.
Highly recomended bit of kit.
 8)
Picture

[bobtail4x4]

I have the southdown tankguard, the electric sockets have been moved up under the bumper.
Not too happy with the standard of welding on "some other" kits.

[duke]

in australia we use a haymans reese tow bars there are tucked up close to the body unlike uk landrover tow bars its dark here so can not take aphoto at the moment

[Range Rover Blues]

The only problem with a shortned towbar is that most, if not all trailers are buot to a standard that sees the hitch height at around 17 inches from the floor and it is UNSAFE to tow a trailer hitch upwards.

[DiscoJim]

The only problem with a shortned towbar is that most, if not all trailers are buot to a standard that sees the hitch height at around 17 inches from the floor and it is UNSAFE to tow a trailer hitch upwards.

This is the problem I have now. My Disco has a +2" lift and I fitted a Scorpion detachable towbar, great bit of kit but my towbar is too high for my twin axle Ifor Williams trailer. Scorpion say they can't help so I will have to get my drop plate extended or better still get a new, longer one fabricated.

[thumbs]

i am with john t, i looked into it lots, fair to exspensive for what they are in my opinion.

takes max 5 mins (haf of that find the spanners  :D)  to take on/off for occasional use aint a hard ship, nuts are welded on crossmeber, and i havent got a rear bumper anyway.

[rollazuki]

the floor and it is UNSAFE to tow a trailer hitch upwards.

Not a tower myself, what problems does it cause..?
(other than dragging the back of the caravan along the road :lol: )

Rolla :?:

[DiscoJim]

the floor and it is UNSAFE to tow a trailer hitch upwards.

Not a tower myself, what problems does it cause..?
(other than dragging the back of the caravan along the road :lol: )

Rolla :?:

I don't think it is so much of a problem with a single axle but with a twin axle you want it level. Too much weight on the back causes them to snake.