Fl2 Towbars

[djhampson]

I'm looking at getting a towbar fitted to my FL2.

The Land Rover Dealer price is ridiculous (no big surprise there) so can anyone recommend a after-market option?

[inside]

Yeah at $1500 they aren't cheap although the finished product does look good. Not sure of any after market ones but maybe Hayman Reese will have them soon.

[Dorko]

Anyone got the LR towbar? Can you post a pic. I thinking about getting one too. I heard theres a lots of good and bad points about Tow bars. However if the deliver fits it, its completly under warranty if anything stuffs up.

Dorko

[inside]

Update, Hayman Reese now have a FL2 towbar for $470.

[djhampson]

Nice find Inside.... Link - Product details (http://www.haymanreese.com.au/consumer/catalogue/productdetails.aspx'rec=3963)

Apparently the fitting difficulty is C on a scale from A to I with I being the longest time required.

Does anyone know if you need a special electronics box thingy for the lights?

[nosliwedaw]

Nice find indeed. I think i'll have to get one of those as soon as i see a pic.

[inside]

You'd need to add the electrics which I think would have to be genuine LR as it would need to plug into the wiring loom. These are listed at 200 pound so $500.

http://www.4freeimagehost.com/uploads/ccd7eff909ac.jpg

You then need the car programmed so you get the cool green trailer flashing on the dash and to disable the parking sensors, maybe $100 there, plus some labour to put it all in. You'd save but depends how much your time is worth.

[beforethevision]

Nice find Inside.... Link - Product details (http://www.haymanreese.com.au/consumer/catalogue/productdetails.aspx'rec=3963)

Apparently the fitting difficulty is C on a scale from A to I with I being the longest time required.

Does anyone know if you need a special electronics box thingy for the lights?

We can fit and wire it easy.

EDIT: The software we got no chance.

[Dorko]

Im getting one through the dealer. Expenses YES! but its all under warranty and done properly with the electrics etc.

My main reason for paying the extra coin, is i cant afford time off work, so i need it to be done right once and once only. I made this very clear to the dealer and they promised me i would not have any issues with my tow bar.

Also, as i am on a lease, i dont pay tax on the towbar. So its only costing me about $700.

God bless Leases!

I will post some pictures next week. Because delivery is on WEDNESDAY! WOOT!

Dorko

[F2i6]

Yes, pricey exercise. Managed to negotiate a better price to get it fitted during my purchase from the dealer. At least it'll be covered under warranty so I don't have to worry about anything going wrong with the electrics.

But it looks good an neat.

[adz70]

Any pics of the tow bar and have you used it yet?

Am thinking of getting the same thing and would love to hear how you went.

[F2i6]

Yeah, I've used it. When the electrics are connected, a little green icon lights up when you use your indicators. And I think the reversing sensors are disabled as you can't really use them anyway.

I'll try to take a pic and post it up soon.

[nosliwedaw]

I've been thinking some more about these hayman reese ones. Wouldn't the dealer fit LR badged bars be made by Hayman Reese anyway seeing they are unique to Aus?

As for the electrics, my only concern is the different resistance if you tap into the current wiring may play havic with the electrics. I'm not concerned about the parking sensors or the pretty light on the dash(although, the sensors will get annoying)

Anyone got one yet or do I have to be the Guinnea Pig:D

[nosliwedaw]

I'm looking at getting a towbar fitted to my FL2.

The Land Rover Delear price is ridicouls (no big surprise there) so can anyone recommend a after-market option?

I called around and got quotes of $1500 - $1700 fitted. I tried the local Hayman Reese dealer and they quoted $650 fitted. I started asking about the wiring and the parking sensors and got stories about how they haven't had any problems yet, it'll just beep with the trailer behind you. :eek:

Asked for a supply price only, $400, things were looking up. :cool:

A few hours, ok days, research on the internet revealed that I needed the LR wiring kit, Part # LR003106. Found this at lrdirect.com for $364(AUD) delivered, a bit exxy but worth it for the piece of mind. The cheapest Genuine au stock I found was $500.

The towbar install was pretty straight forward and the instructions provided were ok, but not great. This did involve removing the rear bumper, tow hook, crash beam and bolting it up with 4 bolts, replace tow hook, replace crash beam them bumper, swear for 20 minutes trying to get the stupid mud flap bolt back in. :mad: Don't forget to cut the little bit out of the bumper, I used a hacksaw and stanley knife.

The wiring kit had pretty pictures and no words, DON'T FORGET TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY BEFORE YOU START!! I didn't...:angel:
You need to install 3 fuses in the rear fuse box, remove the side trim panel, no instructions on how to do this, but it is just held in by clips.
Bolt up the earth wire to the same point as the parking sensor control box, stick the wiring module to the side just behind the strut(all in the pictures:angel:).
Connect the plug to the plug that is already installed on the floor and push out the bung and feed all the cables through. Tie them all up with the zip ties supplied.

I ditched the twin large 7 pin round plugs that are supplied and installed a 7 pin flat to au wiring standards. If I had my time again I would install a 12 pin just so you have somewhere to connect all the wires, as it was I wrapped them all up and tucked and tied the unused wires behind the bumper. There is a wiring legend in the install manual.

So off I went to the LR dealer to get the module programmed in, also had to get the heater recall done so it was timed well.

When I picked the car up they informed me that the couldn't talk to the module as it wasn't genuine(same manufacturer, just no LR sticker) nothing they can do etc etc.:(

Well, as it turns out. Just finished re wiring the trailer and hooked it upto test and take round the back and Guess what.....



IT WORKS! :arms:

All the lights work fine and the parking sensors are disabled when the trailer is connected. Still not sure what the problem was with the programming, however some idiot didn't disconnect the battery when the plugged the kit in with bare wires everywhere. :wasntme: I'm going to give them a call tomorrow to see exactly what the issue was.

So all up, towbar for your FL2 for $764. Gotta be happy with that. ;)

[oldwhippet]

Hi nosliwedaw

Have you had any issues with your aftermarket towbar? I am looking at getting the hayman reese bar put on too and will also get the LR wiring harness put on. In the end it sounds like yours works just like the factory product - is that right? Also just to confirm, did you need to get LR to programme the wiring module in the end? It seems that you can save a bit of money this way.
Thanks

[reklaw47]

http://www.aulro.com/app/showgallery.php?cat=1034&catp=lirnucodFirst time posting a photo bu hopefully here's a quick shot of my FL2 with HR aftermarket towbar. If you want a close up let me know. Very neat. Std 50mm hitch not 40mm like LR OEM. Had wiring done by dealer prior to fitting bar. Approx $800 all up. If you are fitting electric brakes or aux power be aware that the LR 7 pin (the black socket) has the back filled with silicone. My caravan guy ended up just fitting a new plug rather than trying to dig out the silicone.:angel: He also removed the white Euro socket. I couldn't figure anything else to do with it.;)

[reklaw47]

Third time lucky????

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/reklaw47-albums-reklaw47-picture869-imgp4515-1.jpg

[oldwhippet]

Thanks, that looks good. I'm going to go ahead with the HR bar and have ordered the wiring kit from overseas ($340 or so delivered). The towbar installers said they could wire it up. I'll let you know how it works out.

[inside]

The towbar installers said they could wire it up. I'll let you know how it works out.
I think LR will still need to apply a software update. This disables the rear sensors and lights up the pretty green trailer on the dash when indicating.

[nosliwedaw]

oldwhippet,

Yep, it works just like the factory job but has the standard size 50mm receiver.

Works just like expected towing, but I am pretty sure it rattles less with the anti-rattle screw not tightened up :eek:.

As for the programming, they confirmed that they could NOT communicate with the box and could not do the programming. Despite this it works as it should with the pretty light on the dash and the reversing sensors disabled..... I guess the best way to go here is give it a try and take it in to be programmed if it doesn't work.


Good luck.

[oldwhippet]

Thanks nosliwedaw.

I've ordered the wiring harness and once it arrives I'll book in the towbar installation. I reckon the savings are worth having a go...

I'll let you all know what happens.

Thanks

[akbush]

Hi guys,

Have been following the towbar wiring thread.

I have had HR bar installed & looks good. I am trying to get my HR wiring to work properly. My installer is going to try a HR ECU box ($220). Is he barking up the wrong track? Do I need to get the genuine LR wiring kit? I notice there are several different part nos available from OS LR sites. Which is the correct one?

Cheers

[inside]

I'd get the genuine controller box from LR. When you plug in the lights on the trailer it must disable the rear parking sensors and when you turn the indicator on it will light a little green trailer dash light that flashes in unison with the indicator. LR also need to "tell" the car you have a trailer socket installed to ensure all this works as it should.

[oldwhippet]

I got the HR bar installed and bought the genuine harness and got the local auto electircian to wire it up. The dealer has not yet done the computer bit yet so while everything works well (even the green trailer flashing light) the parking sensors do not turn off automatically. Once I get a chance to drop in to the dealer again I'll get this rectified. In the meantime, I just turn off the sensors at the dash manually. A bit of a pain but nothing compared to the price of the LR original bar!

[renier]

I got the HR bar installed and bought the genuine harness and got the local auto electircian to wire it up. The dealer has not yet done the computer bit yet so while everything works well (even the green trailer flashing light) the parking sensors do not turn off automatically. Once I get a chance to drop in to the dealer again I'll get this rectified. In the meantime, I just turn off the sensors at the dash manually. A bit of a pain but nothing compared to the price of the LR original bar!

I was just thinking of doing the same oldwhippet - would you mind sharing a ballpark number on how much it all costs? The LR-only option is slightly expensive... ;)

Cheers!

[stig0000]

i wonder if when programing they removed the fuses b4 they started programing, have had this problem and worked out that is a fix;);)

but if it works alls good

[oldwhippet]

Mine cost about $1000 give or take.

[akbush]

Thanks for the advice re. wiring. I have now had the HR ECU box fitted and all works well. I don't get the pretty green light on the dash and have to switch the rear sensors off manually when trailer is connected but, hey, I can live with that for the cost savings. I was quoted about $1500 to get LR bar fitted. HR bar with ECU box cost $720 fitted all up, so can't complain.

[mjfly1]

I was booked in to get a Hayman Reese hitch an towbar fitted next Thu 25th but the Landrover service center rang yesterday to advise that Hayman have withdrawn the current product and will be providing a new one soon with different electrics, so I have to wait until that's available.

Does anyone know of any problems or deficiencies with the existing Hayman set-up?

[Phideaux]

I learned via this aulro forum that HR & ARB boxes (for the trailer hitch) are 50mm. LR has a weirdo 40mm - ie, no interchangeability. Asking price for a LR towbar in Canberra was $2500 for an FL2, with 40mm box. I got an ARB fitted for $690. 50mm means I can (& have) use other 50mm accessories.
Only thing was - they disconnected the reversing beeper, which does go bonkers if you're backing a trailer. Graeme Cooper reconnected that for me and I put up with the beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.

[Scouse]

LR has a weirdo 40mm - ie, no interchangeability.I see quite a few smaller cars with the small HR receiver hitch like the FL2 so there should be some interchangeabilty.

[Freeloader2]

I ordered the tow pack from the dealership $$$ prior to picking up the car and only upon receiving it, realised it has a 40mm hitch. So all the products in the standard 50mm size were now next to useless. I ended up putting a 40mm sleeve over the Thule bike rack i'd bought - WIN :D

And I did find a 40mm billet recovery hitch on a jeep site but i cant recall where now, sorry.

I'm with AKBUSH,
If i hadn't got the tow pack fitted prior to the sale then I'd go for the HR option for sure. Considering the time I spend with a trailer on, in reverse, I don't mind hitting the parking sensor 'off' button when needed in order to save $500+. I have to do it with the bike rack fitted anyway.