Tow Pack vs Tow Hitch

[Fred Nerk]

Hello everyone,

I have been absent for some years. Dave has kindly helped me reactivate my AULRO account. I am now in Tasmania and retired.

My faithful D4 HSE (MY12) died suddenly a couple of weeks ago. No warning and no previous problems. The engine cracked and released chunks of metal and oil. Quote for repairs was double the worth of the vehicle.

And so, I am about to order a Defender 110 D300. Nearly all the options I have decided upon. I am torn between the Tow Pack vs just installing the Tow Hitch. I tow several small trailers (boats, box/cage, off-road camper). I drive off-road to get to remote fishing places (Tasmanian Central Highlands). I must confess that I am not the extreme off-roader that I was 10 years ago.

I can look out the window and decide if I am rock-crawling or driving on the beach. I can back trailers pretty well. Is there value in the "Tow Pack" features (listed below) or can a competent off road driver do without? I am leaning toward saving the money, but if there are good reasons to get the options I can reconsider.



All Terrain Progress Control (ATPC)

Terrain Response 2

Configurable Terrain Response

Advanced Tow Assist

And is "Hitch Assist" standard on the Defender? It is not mentioned in the Tow Pack description? I liked being able to line up the tow ball and trailer using the rear camera.

Thanks to all who offer advice. It feels good to be back.

[JessicaTam]

I went for the towing pack on my D250 when I ordered it. I do get off the beaten track into some gnarly terrain so I could justify the extra cost. The configurable terrain response is also attractive so I can set things up just how I want them.

Unfortunately due to lockdown I haven't been able to get out and about and compare the terrain select vs auto terrain response 2 so I can't give you real world experience - yet! But once I do, I will report back.

[DazzaTD5]

So a few weeks or so ago I fitted the recovery eyes to a Defender.
The towbar is a great bit of kit and looks like it belongs on a truck.

My thought is though if you dont order a towbar where do the recovery eyes bolt?
I suspect its the square tube part with no drop down.

Which makes me think, why didnt they just make a towbar a standard fit.

[Fred Nerk]

When I bought my Disco 4, tow bars were standard. I certainly wouldn't be without the towbar option. What I was wondering about was the "Tow Pack" and all the options (driving aids) that came with it. In the end I decided I can do without the additional driving aids and just ordered the tow bar/hitch and saved a few thousand dollars.

[scarry]

Which makes me think, why didnt they just make a towbar a standard fit.

To save a couple of $,at a guess.

They were standard on D2,and as others said,D4.And probably D3?

Same as the rediculously huge options list,its there to make a lot of $.

Buying a second hand one in a few years time, will always be a bit of a mystery,and in some ways a lottery.

[JessicaTam]

So a few weeks or so ago I fitted the recovery eyes to a Defender.
The towbar is a great bit of kit and looks like it belongs on a truck.

My thought is though if you dont order a towbar where do the recovery eyes bolt?
I suspect its the square tube part with no drop down.

Which makes me think, why didnt they just make a towbar a standard fit.
The recovery eyes go in the same spot. The frame gets swapped out for the tow bar install, but still has the mounting points.

[Summiitt]

I just went the tow bar by itself, I don't need the reversing aids etc an put the money saved into the air suspension and rear diff lock..