Tow bar on the Discovery 3

Has anyone ever had a problem with the detachable tow bar on the Discovery 3??

I was towing an empty horse trailor on a main road when the actual two bar fell off the Jeep while still in the locked position, catapulting the trailor like a missile accross the road into a boundry stone wall. Luckily, nobody was killed but the trailor was a complete write off.

Would like to hear if anyone has had a similar experience.

Dealership dismissed any responsibility.

Comments:

Disco 3 towbar

Hi I had a two tonne dumper on a trailer when I pulled in to refuel tow bar was half hanging out of socket in locked position!!!

Tow bar discovery 3

the detachable towbar on my 05 disco has always been loose (excessive ) have had this to 2 main dealers who said this is o.k. anyone else have similar problem dave

two bar

I had exactly the same problem - tow bar became detached while towing horsebox. 2,500 worth of damage to box which overturned on the road. Still trying to get any satisfaction from landrover. If other owners had the same fault with towbar, all vehicles should have been recalled to rectify fault. When it happened I thought I was the only one and that it was just hard luck. Now that I see the comments posted, I realise that LR must have known about the twobar problem all along.

swan neck tow hitch

My hitch fell off yesterday and I lost my trailer and mini digger. Total nightmare, trailer and digger ended up in ditch......wrecked ! Its a miracle nobody was killed

towbar

my 08 discovery was in for service on 15/06/11 dealer suggested i "buy"a fixed towbar as my detatchable is loose and i have only towed a sailing dinghy on about 8 occasions weights about 200kgs so they must have a problem

towbar

I know of 3 separate disco 3s this has happened to including my own ! There should be a blanket recall !

Detachable Tow Bar

I have no confidence in the detachable tow ball.It has been replaced under warranty by LR and the new one is no better. When I unhitch the caravan the tow ball rattles in the housing. There is clearly an issue and I cannot understand why LR do not rectify it. I have now fitted a Witter Fixed towbar which is a neater design and lower cost than LRs fixed.

detachable tow bar

Detachable tow bar fell off while towing empty horse trailer on main road it hit stone wall as yours did ended up in a gate way again lucky no one killed or injured we have taken it up with Landrover and are waiting response from them.Trailer has extensive damage which a representative from LR has photographed he also photocopied service history and recorded mileage, range rover is 07 registered.. We also know of a neighbouring farmer who has had same experience his tow bar fell off and his livestock trailer hit a bridge wall, his LR dealer has fitted a fixed tow bar and repaired his trailer!! We too feel there should be a recall on all fitted detachable tow bars or do they wait until someone killed or seriously injured. Has anyone tried court action?

Detachable tow bar

Tow bar recently fell off my Freelander2 causing the trailer to plough into a car coming the opposite way. Land Rover haven't even sent anybody to look at the defective part. I think their attitude is disgraceful - somebody could have been injured or worse......

Detachable Tow Bars

Detachable Tow Bar (Range Rover above) LR have now fitted a new tow bar as a goodwill gesture but nothing to cover damaged trailer. We have had to claim on our insurance for trailer. Insurance engineer has written it off as it was beyond economical repair, no doubt my insurance will go up at renewal, through no fault of mine. We have been to our MP William Hague as we feel something needs to be done about these tow bars. He has asked North Yorkshire County Council Trading Standards to look into it, they would be interested to hear from those of you who have had problems with the detachable tow bars.Please pass on any information or comments you have by contacting CONSUMER DIRECT on 07845040506 and ask them to pass the information on to NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL TRADING STANDARDS the more information they have hopefully they can do something about these tow bars.

tow bars

I had no idea there was such a problem. last year my disco failed an MOT because the detachable towbar was loose. land rover were not interested. Had to get a fixed bar instead.

tow bars

My husband and I were travelling home from a doctors visit and towing our van. As we pulled into a servo we heard a clunk but upon inspection could not see anything untoward. After filling up, we reversed away from the bowsers and proceded forward to the exit lane when the car and van separated. The genuine land rover tow bar had snapped clean in two leaving only the chains keeping van and car tigether. Fortunately we were not on the highway or we may have been killed. We now have a Hayman-Reese Tow Bar and Hitch assembly.

Detachable Tow Bar

I am the officer investigating this matter for North Yorkshire County Council Trading Standards Service. Unfortunately the number for Consumer Direct given by another poster earlier is incorrect. The correct number for Consumer Direct is 08454 040506 or email them at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk Currently although there appears to be much anecdotal evidence of a problem with this towbar, few official complaints have been made to Trading Standards. If you wish to report your incident please be aware you will be asked to supply your name and address so that we can contact you for further information.