Thread: MY12 Defender 90 towbar.

Originally Posted by Nicholas

Hi Leroy

I have a 2012 90 as well. The ULR people gave me the "better then the original" & "built tough for Aussie conditions" BS trying to flog me a Hayman Reese for something a little less than $700.

I went to the Rimmer Bros website and ordered these:

Combination Tow Ball/Jaw Unit - 3.5 Tonne - Genuine Land Rover LR008244 1 In Stock £131.18
Multi-height Tow Bar - Genuine Land Rover LR006309 1 In Stock £164.17
Subtotal: £295.35
Shipping: £97.99
Order Total: £393.34

So for $614 I got the Super HD original kit and fitted it myself.

Got to love the internet!

One thing you have to keep in mind - Land Rover makes a host of additional products specifically to meet the standards of the many countries they sell their products in.

Therefore OEM equipment out of the UK does not neccesarily meet Australian Standards and towbars being a critical engineering item, there is a big chance (almost certain) that the UK supplied bar doesn't have AS certification, regardless of its obvious strength and design.

Without certification you are not covered by waranty or insurance.

There are however many people who have imported their own vehicles from the UK and a number of non-conformances have made it past the inspecting engineer, but IMO its not worth the risk to fit non-AS rated equipment. Especially when the Australian OEM parts are as reasonably priced...

Originally Posted by Loubrey

One thing you have to keep in mind - Land Rover makes a host of additional products specifically to meet the standards of the many countries they sell their products in.

Therefore OEM equipment out of the UK does not neccesarily meet Australian Standards and towbars being a critical engineering item, there is a big chance (almost certain) that the UK supplied bar doesn't have AS certification, regardless of its obvious strength and design.

Without certification you are not covered by waranty or insurance.

There are however many people who have imported their own vehicles from the UK and a number of non-conformances have made it past the inspecting engineer, but IMO its not worth the risk to fit non-AS rated equipment. Especially when the Australian OEM parts are as reasonably priced...

though for the bar he has 'linked' to LRA want $1395.00 for (well form my local dealer anyway. . .
hence why ive looked elsewere.

Leroy,

Allan and I've appeared to have bought by absolute chance the 2 units in stock a couple days appart. We bought them from Barbagello Land Rover in Perth for circa $350 (Allan still has the recept, so he'll be able to quote the exact price).

I can't possibly see that your local dealer has quoted you for the correct item... If he has I would personally avoid them for ever...

Originally Posted by Loubrey

Leroy,

Allan and I've appeared to have bought by absolute chance the 2 units in stock a couple days appart. We bought them from Barbagello Land Rover in Perth for circa $350 (Allan still has the recept, so he'll be able to quote the exact price).

I can't possibly see that your local dealer has quoted you for the correct item... If he has I would personally avoid them for ever...

My dealer was quoting on the wierd style setup towbar, the one that has all the odd bolts and pintle hook style thing, he said a 50mm hitch style was not availible for my model, but now with the part number supplied I will get another quote, though there last quote i got for a winchbar (no winch) was just over 2K and $430 for front mudflapps. . so maybe im being taken for a ride here?

Does anyone know what my Dealer options are in Brisbane? ther service I got from my local Dealer was great looked after me well always kept me informed but theese aftersales prices seems exorbadent?

I like the idea of getting the bar for circa $350 then going to my local OL to have it fitted (could do it myself but i guess the waranty on fitting would be worth paying somone else to do it?) what was the cost to ahve oposite lock fit the bar and plug?

Originally Posted by Loubrey

Leroy,

Allan and I've appeared to have bought by absolute chance the 2 units in stock a couple days appart. We bought them from Barbagello Land Rover in Perth for circa $350 (Allan still has the recept, so he'll be able to quote the exact price).

I can't possibly see that your local dealer has quoted you for the correct item... If he has I would personally avoid them for ever...

I just checked the recept the price all up with GST was $308.58 so someone is having you on.

Allan

Leroy,

$185 to fit the full towbar with electrics as well as 2 spotties on the bulbar they fitted a month earlier (I don't do electrics...)

Originally Posted by Loubrey

Leroy,

$185 to fit the full towbar with electrics as well as 2 spotties on the bulbar they fitted a month earlier (I don't do electrics...)

Not a bad price, I need the Mantec steel a frame support brackets before i can fit my spot lights

Originally Posted by Leroy_Riding

Not a bad price, I need the Mantec steel a frame support brackets before i can fit my spot lights

With the OAM A-bar you have just under 55 mm from the plastic radiator grill to the centre of the bolt affixing the top bracket of the A-bar. The Mantec stainless brackets will not change that. To mount your LightForce 240XGTs you will need at least 107 mm clearance (dist from rear of light to centre of mounting bolt) so you will need some 'special' brackets to fit them. You may have already considered this. The Mantec brackets are amply strong for mounting a UHF aerial or similar. I fount Mantec good to deal with when I ordered my brackets.

Cheers
KarlB