new FL2 owner... towbar questions

[b0son]

Hi all,

We just purchased a Freelander 2 TD4 SE, and should have it on our hands by the end of the week. Cant wait!

I'm wanting to organise a towbar ASAP as it will be used to tow my gokarting gear and I go into withdrawal fairly promptly if I cant :)

What is my best option? So far, I know of the Hayman Reese and the Rovacraft. Any others? Which is the best or best value? Will these guys also wire it up (assuming the wiring harness is freely available, or do I need to source one from OS)?

I recall reading somewhere that wiring is not straightforward and that after fitting, Landrover will have to reprogram the ECU/reverse sensors to not complain about the trailer?

[Scouse]

Did you try to do a deal with the salesman for a genuine towbar?

[b0son]

No. Wife got him to throw roof racks in instead.

[Dorko]

Dont forget you need some software thingy loaded so it turns off the sensors or they will keep beeping!

Dorko

[nosliwedaw]

Congrats on the purchase.

As for the towbar:

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/freelander/50762-fl2-towbars-2.html#post942305

[LR2Luver]

Hi bOson, we bought our LR2 in June and were going to have an after-market towbar fitted. It was priced to include the wiring to plug in to the rear harness, labour to fit and re-programme the ECU. $515 if I remember correctly.

But when the car landed at the Dealership I had a call from the salesman saying that the service guys strongly urged me to fit a genuine bar, almost saying they wouldn't fit an after-market bar. He faxed me a copy of a L/R Bulletin, Number Wty1309 (not a standard Dealership practice, I hasten to add) which quite clearly stated, and I quote:


"Any item which is not part of the original vehicle specifications or certified as a genuine accessory may seriously affect the vehicle's acceptability under the Australian Design Rules, which are the regulations enforced by the Motor Vehicle Standards Act - 1989"


The next paragraph is set in red and reads:
"This includes the fitting or modifications of non genuine wheels and/or tyres, nudge/bull bars, roof racks with a carrying capacity above 150 kgs (300lb) including the weight of the roof rack, long range fuel tanks, additional mounted spare wheels and carriers or accessory lighting, sunroof, suspension components etc"


It goes on and states that " Under Section 17 of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act - 1989, any person who knowingly supplies a vehicle to the market in a non-standard condition as specified by the manufacturer could be penalised 120 penalty points (currently $13,200) per offence."


Having worked at many Dealerships over the years I know that this sort of knowledge puts Dealers and staff in a difficult position, but they are the rules by which they must operate. And God knows there are so many ways to hold other people responsible (read sue) if something terrible goes wrong with a car.
I opted to forego the non-genuine bar and fit the Land Rover Approved bar and wiring. It is also now covered by the 3yr/100,00 km warranty. They knocked $200 off the price of the bar and it was fitted for $1250.

I have peace of mind knowing it is a genuine item, covered under the factory warranty, no-one at the Dealership needs to worry, and everything works as it ought to. Pricey, yes, but well worth the investment and resale value.

Sorry this is long-winded but I hope it helps.

[b0son]

Ended up going genuine... needed it for work next week and couldnt be bothered mucking around with it. Pricey, but we knocked a fair bit of the list price on the car so it wasnt too painful.

The only annoyance is the plugs being close to the hitch, makes it fiddly fitting a hitch lock.

Gotta say, absolutely loving the car. The instant urge off the line is just astounding compared to other diesels i've driven.

[LR2Luver]

Glad to hear you sorted the towbar quickly. I understand what you mean about the plugs being close; I only tow a standard trailer so it's not been much hassle.
Surprising the amount of torque available down so low, isn't it? :o You can thank the function of the variable vane turbo for that. I still smile each time I put the foot down. For 2.2 litres it really is awesome.
Glad I'm not the only one enjoying the fantastic drive of a turbo diesel Freebie :D As a matter of interest, have you spotted any others on the roads?:(

[inside]

Gotta say, absolutely loving the car. The instant urge off the line is just astounding compared to other diesels i've driven.
I was just playing today and if you plant it mid corner say while turning right after setting off from a set of lights the car actually starts to search for traction. The 2.2 is fantastic, just think Toyota need a 4.5L V8 to get that amount of torque.

[b0son]

As a matter of interest, have you spotted any others on the roads?:(

The very next day after we picked ours up, as I was taking my wife to the airport.

But yes, they're not very common. :\