quickly detachable tow bars. Any good?

[muddyjames]

I have seen a tow bar on scorpion racing and was thinking about saving up for it but want views first. http://www.scorpionracing.co.uk/ If you go their site and go to the tow bars bit it is the only one there.

I was wondering about the stress load on the tow bar accessorie as surely on a square bit of meatl and the tow ball being on the bottom hole it must have alot of strain.  Also if you have a suspension lift how do you lower the towball to the right height? I wouldnt like to put a drop plate on it.

If it had some reinforcing bars that bolted on when the plate was put on for the tow ball I would be much happier. Would that be possible to do?

[muddyweb]

If it had some reinforcing bars that bolted on when the plate was put on for the tow ball I would be much happier. Would that be possible to do?

If you are going to do that, you might as well just use the standard towing bracket and keep it all greased.    It's only a few bolts.   I used to leave it off unless I was going to tow something, then bolt it on.

[muddyjames]

for towing small trailers i wouldnt mind just heavy trailers like caravans or box trailers. also the standard tow bar is a pain to bolt on as it means taking the bumper off too and i cant be bothered with that everytime.

[Wanderer]

I've got a Scorpion removeable towbar and it's fine. They are well built with strengtheners down the back of the dropper plate.
If you're worried you could add removable tie bars but it's (IMHO) not worth it.

[thumbs]

i just leave it off, put it on when i need it, easy to change only takes 10 mins, i put to jate rings in for recoveray when to hitch isnt on, cant see the point of haveing both on,

so much better offroad with out it, worth the time changeing it now and agian

[muddyjames]

that is why i am thinking about this hitch as it will be better off road with the quick detachable one.

with me I do alot of towing at the spare of the moment so having to add another hour before i go and pick a trailer up etc i cant be doing with it nor do i want a plough behind me which is what i have now.

[Frankie-Boy]

The trouble with the Scorpion one, IMO, is that it offers very little tank protection, I think the Southdown one with tank guard is much better, more expensive I'll admit but when the actual tow bar is removed you are left with a substantial guard.

[thumbs]

if i was going to get one, id go for the south down one, jakes got that and it is a substainl piece of kit

[Jas278]

Agree with previous post, 10 mins to take normal tow bar off ,especilly if greased up, you dont have to take the bumper off,there is enough room to get your hand up............ :lol:

[muddyjames]

Agree with previous post, 10 mins to take normal tow bar off ,especilly if greased up, you dont have to take the bumper off,there is enough room to get your hand up............ :lol:

Enough room to get your hand up there? How small are your hands? I found it nearly impossible to remove the damn thing and get a spanner on it. Me and my mate spent an hour trying to put 1 nut back on and gave up.

Anyone got a price / link to the south down tow bar?

[Jake]

I'm using a Southdown tank guard with detachable tow bar.
Works great with the caravan and there's nothing there when its removed.
http://www.southdown4x4.co.uk/DetachableTowing.htm
 :D

[colintandy]

southdown tank guard with detachable tow bracket   cant beat it was made for mod origanally like most of southdowns kit very good top qualityi use all there under belly protection kit not one item damaged yet  :D  http://members.mud-club.com/profiles/colintandy/gallery/rear%20tank%20guard

[Damonski]

Its the southdown one that I would prefer to the scorpion or discoparts dropplate idea

[Wanderer]

At the time I went for a setup that meant everything came from one manufacturer so that there shouldn't be an problem between the different companies and end up with them blaming each others bit of kit.

I needed
Rear recovery bumper
Tank guard
Removable towbar that was quick to remove.

At the time only Scorpion did them all and although pricey I went for them.

To be fair there's not a lot in it with ground clearence between the scorpion and Southdown. BTW all of the gear on the front is Southdown.

[muddyjames]

that certainly looks more substantial than the one from scorpion. Doesnt look quiet as nice but who cares, I'm not going to see it sat in the car am I?!

 The web site looks good but again as I am finding with most web sites thesedays there are no prices!

also can one buy an extra plate to mount a tow ball onto as I need 1 plate for my ball and pin hitch and another plate for my Alo tow ball for my caravans.

I like the idea of moving electrics up to the door. Will keep that idea in mind. Was it easy to do?

[Hangover]

I had a Scorpion towbar on my previous Range Rover and have now ordered one for my Defender 90,they are very well built and rated to pull about 3.5 tonnes legally,you shouldn't be pulling anything heavier,i have the shackle and reciever which go into the towbar when drop plate is removed and that would pull a Sherman tank.You will only need to buy one once.

[Bush Tucker Man]

I had the W&H Wheelcarriers version on my 90V8-CSW (they build for Scorpion)
It was fine but a bit noisy, later versions have a supplementary bolt (with a nut welded in) to brace it & remove the play that gave rise to the noise

Tim ('MuddyWeb')bought mine when I sold the 90



Andy has a Scorpion on his Discovery

[Jas278]

Enough room to get your hand up there? How small are your hands? I found it nearly impossible to remove the damn thing and get a spanner on it. Me and my mate spent an hour trying to put 1 nut back on and gave up. /.................................you only need to hold the nut in place it is nt difficult, if you cant do it ,take the bumper off once and weld the nuts to the crossmember, hey presto a pice of cake, but realy they are accesible.

[Bush Tucker Man]

I know it's not the same thing, but I've got the height adjustable  Dixon-Bate on my Defender.
It's not as effective as a plough as the normal drop-plate, but still somewhat restricts the 'departure angle'

[muddyjames]

I looked into the dixon bate one and the cheapest I could find was £90. It seems alot for a plough and as I have 2 sliders already I dont really want a 3rd!

I do like the dixon bate alot though as there are plenty of bolt holes and I like lots on bolts in tow hitches.

It is a pitty the piece with holes for a series or a 90 doesnt bolt onto the disco tow bar but there we are.

Southdown tow bars are about £300. double what the scorpion racing ones are.

[Jake]

Southdown tow bars are about £300. double what the scorpion racing ones are.

But your getting a free tank guard with it  
If you buy both from Scorpion it works out more money.
 :D

[muddyjames]

I know scorpion has an option for the tank guard but as most 4x4 parts web sites including scorpion dont have prices with any of their gear I cant check it out and I am bored of emailing and phoning up!!!

[Damonski]

I know scorpion has an option for the tank guard but as most 4x4 parts web sites including scorpion dont have prices with any of their gear I cant check it out and I am bored of emailing and phoning up!!!

ditto! So annoying!

[muddyjames]

when i send an email to anyone now i tell them how annoying it is and 1 company has said they are redoing thier site and prices will be on it and another has said they will add prices but cant remeber which companies said that!