Buying a UK towbar

[LM020]

Hi guys just wondering if this is possible.

I was looking to buy a tow bar/rear step combo that is available on the UK landrover website.

What are the issues with fitting that here in Australia if not Australia approved?

http://www.landrover.com/gb/en/lr/defender/accessories/

http://assets.config.landrover.com/v2116u/lr/gb/l316/accoly_gb_l316_stc50269aa.jpg
It is the rear step under the 'Exterior styling' section

If no problems how easy would it be to fit?

[Tank]

If it doesn't have AS compliance or ADR's I don't think it will be legal, last time I went for rego the inspector wanted to see the compliance plate on my Hayman-Reese tow bar before he would issue a pink slip, Regards Frank.

[LM020]

If it doesn't have AS compliance or ADR's I don't think it will be legal, last time I went for rego the inspector wanted to see the compliance plate on my Hayman-Reese tow bar before he would issue a pink slip, Regards Frank.

Thanks Frank the tank (love the name!!)

Prob not worth the hassle it will cause down the track, just loved the idea of the rear step that would give some protection to the back the truck against all the Sydney drivers lol

[p38arover]

If it doesn't have the tow ball on it when inspected, it would probably pass muster. It's then only a step. :angel:

Plus it's genuine LR....

Quite often, inspectors won't even look at tow bars. No one ever queried the towbar on my 110 which had no compliance plate. In fact, old bars don't have any plates, e.g., my Hillman's towbar - never queried in 40 years (yes, it's back on the road with a new owner).

[Drover]

I wouldn't be concerned about rego inspections, it is just a step.

Love the look of it, but not sure how you mount/adapt a wheel carrier ?

Cheers

[PAT303]

The X-Tech comes fitted with that step in the UK as part of the towing pack but the wheel carrier won't fit so it's one or the other.Funny thing is I was only talking to CraigE about this the other day,why can't we fit the tow ball that bolts to the crossmember?,why do we have to fit a bar and then the ball instead of just the ball?. Pat

[LowRanger]

The X-Tech comes fitted with that step in the UK as part of the towing pack but the wheel carrier won't fit so it's one or the other.Funny thing is I was only talking to CraigE about this the other day,why can't we fit the tow ball that bolts to the crossmember?,why do we have to fit a bar and then the ball instead of just the ball?. Pat

The cross sectional area of the rear crossmember on a Puma is much less than on older model Defenders and the metal used is also much thinner material.So there is a much greater likleyhood that the rear crossmember can bend or twist without the added support from the mounts to the chassis offered by the Towbar even if a stress relief plate was fitted to the front and rear of the crossmember.

Wayne

[Tank]

Now that I have seen a pic it looks to me like it would cause ground clearance problems, you don't need anything hanging down at the rear like that, just my thoughts though, Regards Frank.

[JDNSW]

If it doesn't have the tow ball on it when inspected, it would probably pass muster. It's then only a step. :angel:

Plus it's genuine LR....

Quite often, inspectors won't even look at tow bars. No one ever queried the towbar on my 110 which had no compliance plate. In fact, old bars don't have any plates, e.g., my Hillman's towbar - never queried in 40 years (yes, it's back on the road with a new owner).

Compliance plates for twobars were only invented about 1990, and are not retrospective - so there is no requirement for compliance plates pre that date.

And my local bloke does actually check the towing jaw on the 2a every year, as well as the towbar on the 110, , although he does not look for a compliance plate.

John

[LM020]

The X-Tech comes fitted with that step in the UK as part of the towing pack but the wheel carrier won't fit so it's one or the other.Funny thing is I was only talking to CraigE about this the other day,why can't we fit the tow ball that bolts to the crossmember?,why do we have to fit a bar and then the ball instead of just the ball?. Pat

When you say the wheel carrier, do you mean the one the swings out, as the photo has the standard wheel carrier attached as well?

Sorry to be blonde lol

[Drover]

The additional weight of the spare wheel on the rear door can stress crack the door frame and ware out the hinges prematurely.

This is most likely to occur if you use it off road a lot.

The solution is to install an after market wheel carrier. Effectively it removes the spare wheel off the rear door and mounts it to a swing out arm that bolts to the rear cross member.

Mulgo's bumperette's are designed for use with an after market wheel carriers, this option might suit you.

[LM020]

The additional weight of the spare wheel on the rear door can stress crack the door frame and ware out the hinges prematurely.

This is most likely to occur if you use it off road a lot.

The solution is to install an after market wheel carrier. Effectively it removes the spare wheel off the rear door and mounts it to a swing out arm that bolts to the rear cross member.

Mulgo's bumperette's are designed for use with an after market wheel carriers, this option might suit you.

Thanks drover, I had a look at the bumperettes and they might just be perfect for protecting the back of the defender and save me issues with towbar.

[KarlB]

The additional weight of the spare wheel on the rear door can stress crack the door frame and ware out the hinges prematurely.

This is most likely to occur if you use it off road a lot.

The solution is to install an after market wheel carrier. Effectively it removes the spare wheel off the rear door and mounts it to a swing out arm that bolts to the rear cross member.

Mulgo's bumperette's are designed for use with an after market wheel carriers, this option might suit you.

What you say about the tyre load on the door may be true. There was a problem with older vehicles. The door now has a redesigned internal frame to better support the weight of the spare and it now has three hinges, rather than two. I have not noticed any reports on the forum of anyone actually having a problem with their Puma, in this regard. But there have been several problems with aftermarket wheel carriers. I would expect that any problem would be worse in a 110 than a 90 as the load is further from the axle. I am going to wait until my warranty is up before I worry about the issue.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[PAT303]

The Puma rear door is stronger than the Tdi one,I'm not getting a tyre carrier until I see a problem. Pat

[LM020]

Think I might keep the spare wheel where it is for the mo.

Have my folks checking out the price of the rear step in the Uk and them work out shipping costs, possible option to maybe bring another over at the same time, if somebody is interested. I have a friend that brings in mining equipment to brisbane and might be able to put them in the container.

Possibly, depending on costs

[PAT303]

I've been pricing up parts and for the tow bar and winch bumpers etc you can add 150-200 pounds to the price for shipping,they are still cheaper than buying here. Pat