Thread: Disco II Weight Distribution Tow Bar Package RAA527

Originally Posted by sniegy

Will,
The part number that is for this kit (RAA527) is an entire WDH kit, which includes the towbar assembly that attaches/bolts to the vehicle & then all the arms, chains brckets, tongue etc etc. It would be cheaper for you to purchase a Discovery 2 towbar from Hayman Reece direct as they make the towbar assembly anyway.
They just put together a kit which worked out to be cheaper, than buying the WDH hitch & then the towbar assembly as 2 seperate components.

Cheers.

Pete, have checked the HR site and there is no longer any mention of D2s! Any chance you might have the HR part number for the towbar assembly?

Thanks

Originally Posted by Chappy54

BigMac,

I have replied to your Private Message. Most dealers will probably tell you that you can't use a WDH on a Disco or on a Disco with SLS. The handbook says that you can't use a WDH on the 'standard' towbar and refers to the RAA527. I believe that there is a lot of confusion out there because dealers weren't aware of the availability of the RAA527 kit and the mistaken belief about WDH and SLS but the end result is that you can use a WDH with the Disco as long as you use the 'heavy duty' towbar that comes with the RAA527 kit and it is Ok to use and you can use it on one with SLS. I have a copy of the technical advice from LR Tech (thanks to Sneigy who was a great help sorting this out) that confirms that you can use the RAA527 with SLS.

Cheers,

phil

Phil, Can you provide a copy of the LR Tech advice re WDH and SLS?

You are the first person who ha mentioned that there is a case for using WDH with SLS.

I am relieved!!!

Regards

Marnie

Originally Posted by Marnie

Phil, Can you provide a copy of the LR Tech advice re WDH and SLS?

You are the first person who ha mentioned that there is a case for using WDH with SLS.

I am relieved!!!

Regards

Marnie

I and no doubt many others have towed a van many thousands of Ks with SLS, WDH and with standard tow bar. Sounds like folk think I am risking ruin. Works fine for me. Not sure how a 250-400 kg rated WDH will stuff up a tow bar rated at 3 500kg but you never do know.

Originally Posted by John W

I and no doubt many others have towed a van many thousands of Ks with SLS, WDH and with standard tow bar. Sounds like folk think I am risking ruin. Works fine for me. Not sure how a 250-400 kg rated WDH will stuff up a tow bar rated at 3 500kg but you never do know.

A WDH puts enormous twisting strain on the framing between the hitch receiver tube and the chassis. As mentioned you and many other are using it trouble free, this just means that you are operating in the lower end of the WDH capacity – there have been several failures.

Problem is: with SLS you don’t know how much weight you are taking from the rear wheels because as you lift the SLS continues to adjust. With coils you can see (and measure) how much the rear of car has lifted; with out this visible sign it is easily possible to cause damage to the framing firstly visible by bowing or twisting the angle sections under the rear of the car

When I purchased a SLS equipped D2 from the dealer in BNE back in 2000 we were well advised of this – they had a pile of discarded factory receivers. There was no Kit as such just a heavy duty HR receiver and associated frame to connect to the chassis, replacing the factory angle sections. There was also a different set of instructions from HR that talked about battery disconnection for the initial setup to enable measuring front and rear drop with out the SLS intervening and masking results. Adjust first time mark chain length with paint for future. The first I ever heard of NO WDH with Air Suspension was after the D3 was released – D2 was always replace the Receiver

WDH with LR Air suspension has always been about the strength of the factory towbar framing. - There’s not been any ‘issues’ with RRC or P38a because they have a decent connection between the receiver and the chassis.

The factory tow bar on D3/4/RRS is the problem for them as well (not SLS) – except they crack the casting and snap off – so the fist visible sign there is a problem is the caravan passing you!!! I imagine that when LR aus can make some $ selling Mitch Bros hitch it will be all good for WDH to be used on those cars too.

You have a heap of interesting info there Harlie and a big thanks.

The way I look at it the SLS will be up to height by the time I get to hitch up the WDH. By doing that a little air is let out of the SLS and the air bags & compressor get an easier day. There is the upwards leverage of the WDH into the receiver. This is transmitted mostly to the cross member welded between the ends of the main chassis rails. If there was to be any failure on a standard receiver then I would expect cracking on this cross member near the bolts of the receiver. I am probably wrong but I would not expect too much twisting force as that would only be if there was a significant difference between the roll of the car and the van and then it would be damped by the spring action of the WDH.

Importantly thought you say you have seen the damage done so that is the final say! Perhaps it only happens with a heavy van and overzealous tightening of the hitch.

Originally Posted by Chappy54

BigMac,

I have replied to your Private Message. Most dealers will probably tell you that you can't use a WDH on a Disco or on a Disco with SLS. The handbook says that you can't use a WDH on the 'standard' towbar and refers to the RAA527. I believe that there is a lot of confusion out there because dealers weren't aware of the availability of the RAA527 kit and the mistaken belief about WDH and SLS but the end result is that you can use a WDH with the Disco as long as you use the 'heavy duty' towbar that comes with the RAA527 kit and it is Ok to use and you can use it on one with SLS. I have a copy of the technical advice from LR Tech (thanks to Sneigy who was a great help sorting this out) that confirms that you can use the RAA527 with SLS.

Cheers,

phil

I have a message from LR Australia confirming that SLS Disco 2 can be upgraded for towing by installing RA 5277; they did not deny that a Service Bulletin had been sent out about this but said that they could not supply a copy as the original had long since been destroyed (funny about that, but you'd logically expect that such documents would be kept for prosperity????). My interest in getting hold of a copy is to have it in my file should I ever get challenged by the RTA/Police/Insurance Company.

LRA said also in their reply, that WHH definitely cannot be used on Disco 3 or 4.

I am going to try the 3500KG/250kg bar supplied new on my car with a WDH and 2 Friction Anti Sway devices (Hayman Reece of course), if this does not cure the towing problems it looks like the Disco will have to be put down and back to shake rattle and roll in a Landcruiser! By the way, you'll have noticed the dozens of 80 series Landcruisers out towing big rigs...well most of the drivers of those will think they have a 3500kg/350kg vehicle under command.....wrong... it was not till very late in the model run that they were uprated; up till then they were only 2500kg/250kg...this info is cunningly concealed on a plate rivetted to the towbar.

Would really apprecite if sniegy or chappy54 could let me have a copy of that LR service bulletin

Hi All,


This is my first post. I have been reading and researching many of the posts on this great forum.


I have a 2003 Discovery td5 with SLS.


After reading the Owners Manual (see image below) and the many posts on this, I decided to pick up the phone and order the RAA527 kit from Land Rover. I called several dealers in Melbourne (inc ULR, Melb City LR, Brighton LR, Doncaster) and I received the same reply from all of them and that is that the part was discontinued as at July 2015 and shows up as not available.


I then called Land Rover Australia - and they confirmed the same thing. I asked for a list of the components (and pictures) of the kit but they said that they don't have any info on it as any parts for any model more than 10 years old gets purged! I find that odd.


Anyway, I was wondering if any members could point me in the right direction and know of where I could buy this kit or if they have a list of the components that make up the kit. My understanding is that Hayman Reese parts were used?


Also, would anyone be able to point me in the direction of the Technical Service Bulletin for this part? I have searched high and low and cant seem to find it - maybe the bulletin lists the components?


Regards


Seafarer

From memory it comprised Hayman reese components. Their tow bar assembly which replaced the standard landrover one, the weight distribution hitch/bar assembly and installation bits and pieces.

Cheers

Steve