L494 towbar

[oldie]

Looking at buying MY2014 Sport L494 and the salesman tells me they all have built in tow bar receivers. Is this true ?
My MY13.5 L320 certainly did. Lost that under a tree in the Sydney storm 2 weeks ago so now looking for a replacement.

[SBD4]

Looking at buying MY2014 Sport L494 and the salesman tells me they all have built in tow bar receivers. Is this true ?
My MY13.5 L320 certainly did. Lost that under a tree in the Sydney storm 2 weeks ago so now looking for a replacement.
Sorry about the L320, you'll like the L494.

Not to my knowledge, mine certainly doesn't - I wish it did.

Don't listen to the sales folk, as they often don't take the time to understand the products they sell.

[Geedublya]

It doesn’t, you can buy genuine or Hayman Reece.

[oldie]

Thanks for the confirmation.

So now I will need to get the Hayman Reese kit. What happens with the fancy bit of plastic covering the hole where the tongue sticks out.

Seems it will need to be modified. Is there a template for the cutting needed ?

Now have photo of my squashed L320. It would make a good ute ! But don't know how to load photos here. Where can I find the instructions ?

[jtmesa]

This video looks spot on for you: 6:44 in i think

<a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aszUWZo_Qw0" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aszUWZo_Qw0">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aszUWZo_Qw0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aszUWZo_Qw0)

[Geedublya]

Thanks for the confirmation.

So now I will need to get the Hayman Reese kit. What happens with the fancy bit of plastic covering the hole where the tongue sticks out.

Seems it will need to be modified. Is there a template for the cutting needed ?

Now have photo of my squashed L320. It would make a good ute ! But don't know how to load photos here. Where can I find the instructions ?

The HR comes with a template or you can buy the genuine cover. I went genuine as it wasn’t very expensive.

[oldie]

This video looks spot on for you: 6:44 in i think

<a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aszUWZo_Qw0" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aszUWZo_Qw0">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aszUWZo_Qw0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aszUWZo_Qw0)
Thanks for the video link.

I have now bought a Hayman Reese kit and unfortunately that video is not for the Hayman Reese. Wish it was.

Can anybody help with info on getting the rear bumper off ?

In order to fit the HR bar it is necessary to remove the whole rear bumper. They give details of the screws to remove and I have done that but them the instruction is to peel the bumper off starting at the edges. ???

Do you pull back or pull out or pull Down and how much force is needed.

I am worried about breaking something so am being very cautious.

Keith (Oldie )

[Geedublya]

I had read that removing the rear bumper wasn't easy so I let the Hayman Reece supplier do the install. I also installed the genuine wiring loom and 12 pin connector as it wasn't very expensive from the UK and made it easier to use the switched 12v.

There is a link to download the service manual in the forum which may help.

[Geedublya]

I printed the rear bumper removal procedure to pdf from the manual.

[oldie]

I printed the rear bumper removal procedure to pdf from the manual.
Thanks for that.

I had done a search on the forum but clearly not the right one.

I will now have a look for the link to the service manual.

Prefer playing with my Land Rovers than this computer stuff.

Thanks again

[oldie]

Thanks for the tip to look harder for the manual.

Found it !

Here goes !

Keith

[oldie]

Done it !

That was scary. The amount of force needed to pull the bumper off the guards was amazing. And to think that nothing broke with all that force.

Putting it back on was a lot easier and quicker. Now just need to finish trimming the 2 panels which fit around the hitch receiver.

I plan to add some notes to the Hayman Reese instructions to make it more obvious what to do and will post here in the next few days.

Thanks all for your inputs

Keith

[JoeZ13]

Hi oldie,

I'm looking at getting the Hayman Reese hitch installed at $1200.

The other option is going down the OEM route via Land Rover at a cost of $2200.

$1000 is a big difference in price. Are you happy with the Hayman Reese?

[Geedublya]

The oem hitch has a better electrics, comes with the different panel instead of the installer cutting the current panel, has a recovery ring which is behind the new panel and has some extra braces to the bodywork further in.

The electrics has the switched 12v and brake controller wired correctly where the HR is missing some of the wiring. I purchased the wiring loom and panel separately. Knowing what I know now I probably should have gone with the OEM bar but I did save $800.

[JoeZ13]

The oem hitch has a better electrics, comes with the different panel instead of the installer cutting the current panel, has a recovery ring which is behind the new panel and has some extra braces to the bodywork further in.

The electrics has the switched 12v and brake controller wired correctly where the HR is missing some of the wiring. I purchased the wiring loom and panel separately. Knowing what I know now I probably should have gone with the OEM bar but I did save $800.

Thanks so much for this info.
I did know that the finish on the oem bar is much nicer but had no idea regarding the wiring issue.
You mention brake controller wired correctly. The oem doesn't come with a brake controller also does it?

If I can get the dealer to do better on price I might go down the oem path then.

[Geedublya]

Thanks so much for this info.
I did know that the finish on the oem bar is much nicer but had no idea regarding the wiring issue.
You mention brake controller wired correctly. The oem doesn't come with a brake controller also does it?

If I can get the dealer to do better on price I might go down the oem path then.

The L494 is pre-wired for a brake controller if you get the correct connector it is plug and play (see the sticky at the top of the forum). The OEM wiring loom came from the UK for about $100 so it isn't such a big deal.