Thread: new defender tow bar

What I can tell you is that if you fit the genuine LR towbar - a long range tank (that replaces existing tank) won't fit. For this reason Numpty sold me his genuine towbar.

I'm putting in an aux 45l tank but it doesn't replace the original fuel tank so I can use the genuine towbar. It will serve as a recovery point for me.

I too have fitted a secondhand genuine LR towbar (from Captain Rightfoot). I don't have any plans to fit a long range tank so... meh!

So what exactly did Landrover change to cause the Hayman Reece bars to have to alter their mounts?

I am not clear on what you mean by an "adjustable weight distribution jobby". Other than the position of the cross-support bar (which is slung lower and a square section on the HR unit, and I guess the mounting points, there doesn't seem to be much difference between the HR and LR towbars. Both are rated the same up to 3500kg and both have the same square removable tongue.

... oh, but if you fit the Hayman Reece bar then the rear step has to go.

If you look at the genuine towbar, you will see that the forward support bars come off the main bar at an angle outwards. The Hayman Reese main bar is wider so that the forward support bars are straight. Why this is so I can't say, but it does allow the fitment of the long range tank.

the Australian fitment Land Rover Australia tow bars have been made by ARB in the past.
These are a Hayman Reece style receiver hitch tow bar mounted below the rear crossmember with supports going forwards up the chassis rail.
A genuine UK style bar mounts directly off the rear crossmember, and has to have the rear crossmember braced otherwise they distort it under load.

I have a Hayman-reese on my new 07 and no drama's. I was going to get it from ARB but there was a delay so I got mine from Speedy Exhaust and it was $150 cheeper than ARB and installed the next day at my house!

Cheers,

Well the cheapest price I was quoted was $400 from a mobile installer for the Hayman Reece bar. The company was something like "A Auto Bars".

That still couldn't beat mates rates from Captain Rightfoot on a secondhand genuine bar that he must have kept under his pillow - it was so new. Wiring was a piece of p!ss too since all the wires run to a female connector block inside the RH rear wheel arch.

Still, I got an auto electrician to do it as $50 and 10 minutes of his time with all the right gear beats half a day and me stuffing it up with rolls and rolls of electrical tape hands down.

Any chance of some pics of the various tow bars you guys have fitted, particular from underneath to see where various bits attach ? I've got a new Defender and first thing I need is a tow bar come recovery point. I like the idea of the Front Runner "Tow & Recovery Bar (Off Road Use Only - Not ADR)" but the 'Not ADR' has put me off.

Not planning to tow the Queen Mary but at the most up to a tonne of wood, most likely main use will be for recovery (giving and receiving).

Thanks in advance.

i cant see how the 07 is any differant in the rear cross member!
i had a look closley at muddymech's 07 and compaired it with my td5 fitted with a HR tow bar. as far as im concerned it will fit straight up with removal of the rear step being the only problem.

im willing to test this if someone wants to spair 30min with their 07!
its only 6bolts.

cheers phil