Tow Bars for 110

[GuyG]

I am going to fit a tow bar to my 110 - there are a couple of different ones available and I'm trying to work out which if either is better. I have a custom rear bar so will have the drill and tap the holes regardless of which towbar I end up using. I have both towbars already. They both take the square tongue. And they will be used for as a recovery point if required.

The first being the Hayman Reece with the square tube that goes across the rear of the chassis then has the arms which run forward at 90 degrees - this came off a 130. The other I think is off the later Defenders and has the curved tube that swings under the fuel tank - pretty sure its a genuine LR tow bar. The only disadvantage I can see with this one is that if/when the fuel tank needs to be removed then the towbar will also have to be removed, whereas with the first only the bolts/nuts through the rear side chassis might need to be undone to allow clearance to get the tank out (well you did with the RRC tank). If I fit the curved one I will also be able to fit the rear step - do people find these steps useful?

Does anyone have experience with either/both?

[Dervish]

I have the Hayman Reese, it functions extremely well as a step, rock slider, recovery point and is also nicely tucked up close to the rear crossmember. I'm guessing the LR one you're talking about is "the plough"? If so, I imagine that it is helpful in that the ball height can be lower, but apart from that it is a worse design IMO.

[numpty]

I had an LR one on the car when bought new and now have a Hayman Reese.

I had to change when I fitted a larger fuel tank. They both have the same load rating though.

[FeatherWeightDriver]

I had an LR one on the car when bought new and now have a Hayman Reese.

I had to change when I fitted a larger fuel tank. They both have the same load rating though.

Does the Land Rover factory bar sit much lower than the Hayman Reece bar?

[GuyG]

No, they both sit about the same height. The Hayman Reece sits under the rear cross member with the side bars at 90 deg mostly clearing the area where for the fuel tank where as the LR Factory mounts further forward under the fuel tank with its arms swinging forward towards the side chassis mounting bolts.

[FeatherWeightDriver]

I have seen one or two kicking around that seem REALLY low.

If / when I get a tow bar I hope not make sure that one isn't it! ;)

[tact]

My barge came with the standard LR tow bar (the low hanging plough).

I had it modified. Basically chopped the drop plate so the tail gate can still be opened when it (drop plate) is raised up. Puts the bottom edge of the drop plate some inches higher than the original plough. Accompanying mods to bracing arms.

Then bolted an ex military pintle hook through the drop plate and into cross member

[HardCharger]

I'm actually thinking of adding a military pintle hook for "just in case" towing situations but according to the brochure, it needs some special attention from the dealer before it can be installed. How true is this?

I don't like the idea of dangling towing bar bits either.

Thanks.

[tact]

G'day hardcharger. I read as much as I could on the topic online and to say the least the information found is confusing/conflicting.

What brochure do you have? Can attach a PDF? And is it for older or newer defenders? Would be interesting to see.

[tact]

G'day hardcharger. I read as much as I could on the topic online and to say the least the information found is confusing/conflicting.

What brochure do you have? Can attach a PDF? And is it for older or newer defenders? Would be interesting to see.

[HardCharger]

Hi tact,

It's for the MY13 Defender. Thing is, mine is a MY11 so I'm not sure how applicable it'll be though I suspect that there won't really be much difference. I'll look for it and try and post it here.

[HardCharger]

Hi tact,

Sorry to do this to you but I went over the literature I had and I now cannot seem to find that little footnote. I know I read it somewhere "official" so once I stumble across it again, I will forward it to you via here.

Apologies once again.