Discovery 2 Rear Tow Bar Steps

Inkjets1 · Jul 17, 2019

OK, so I'm a short arse and the disco boot can be a little hike to get in at times

So, I'm sure everyone has seen these tow bar steps you can get from about £14-25.
Has anyone ever fitted one of these and if so, whats peoples thoughts on them?? Are they any good or just bend the first time you use them?
The Tow bar is the one fitted to my Disco.

I thought I would get some ideas from the experience in the forum

brianconwy · Jul 17, 2019

Our step has rotted away and we bought similar steps to this. The steps themselves feel very rigid but we haven't fitted them to the car yet.

Stanleysteamer · Jul 17, 2019

I have one exactly the same and have fitted it and no, you do not need to be a short-harris to need one to get to the back of a D2 boot! They do work and do not bend, unless you weigh a lot more than my 88 kgs!
Just be aware, as is fairly obvious, that they can get in the way a bit when you are towing, especially as concerns connecting the electrics. You have a Dixon-Bate on yours with a combination ball and pin hitch. Which will also make things a bit tricky.
I can see a few ways of modifying what you have on the back to make the whole thing work but am not going to block up the internet with all of them!
Just one thing, you may find you only need one side of it so you could cut half of it off, to make the whole thing easier.
Also some D2s came with the push down step, mine didn't but you may be able to get one or fab one, which would eliminate the issues I just mentioned. Suffice it to say the mountings for it ought to be there, although condition may be an issue.

Si Click · Jul 17, 2019

I just use the ball as a step.

Stanleysteamer · Jul 17, 2019

I've done that too, depends on the shape of the ball, what it has on it and what you are wearing on your feet!
I've done it and slipped off it too! Safer if something is hitched to it!

Si Click · Jul 17, 2019

Oww! In fairness it would hurt if you slipped off.

Interceptorxj · Jul 17, 2019

Fitted one to my D2 when the standard one rotted out. Previously had this fitted to 3 of my Defenders and never bent it. I just bolted it into the two spare holes above my tow ball on my adjustable Dixon Bate tow bar as they were free and a slightly better height for climbing in and out. (The ally checker plate is just glued on over the top of the ribbed step with one pack sealant adhesive just because I had an abundance of checker plate cut offs).

Stanleysteamer · Jul 20, 2019

Interceptorxj said:
Fitted one to my D2 when the standard one rotted out. Previously had this fitted to 3 of my Defenders and never bent it. I just bolted it into the two spare holes above my tow ball on my adjustable Dixon Bate tow bar as they were free and a slightly better height for climbing in and out. (The ally checker plate is just glued on over the top of the ribbed step with one pack sealant adhesive just because I had an abundance of checker plate cut offs). View attachment 184564

Looks great, and I am sure OP will appreciate how you mounted it.
@inkjets 1 You do need to appreciate that if you are manoeuvring a big trailer in a tight space, you may lose a little turning angle with this. This was the main reason I took mine off when towing, but then I do have a huge box trailer and do need to do very tricky reverses to turn it around on the drive in front of the house. Also, once towing, you can stand on the towbar.

brianconwy · Jul 20, 2019

"@inkjets 1 You do need to appreciate that if you are manoeuvring a big trailer in a tight space, you may lose a little turning angle with this. This was the main reason I took mine off when towing, but then I do have a huge box trailer and do need to do very tricky reverses to turn it around on the drive in front of the house. Also, once towing, you can stand on the towbar."

Is that because its mounted higher than the towball? If it was mounted using the towball bolts would that allow the trailer hitch to pass over or am I being hopeful?

Stanleysteamer · Jul 21, 2019

I think this all depends on what you will be towing and how the hitch height is in relation to the step. It may be possible to mount the step either higher so the towed item's arm passes below it, or lower, so that it passes over it, but I couldn't make this happen. Mind you, I didn't kill myself trying to solve the problem. The drop down step on my D1 was brilliant until the gas ram packed in so if i was really going to do something about this, and was really bothered, I'd look at fitting or replacing the LR step. But it isn't cheap IF you can find one. See what I mean?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Discovery-2-Drop-Down-Retractable-hydraulic-Rear-Step-/254231750451

Inkjets1 · Jul 21, 2019

@Stanleysteamer @
Hi all, thanks for the great responses.
I don't think it will be an original one looking at those prices 2nd hand

I have seen the double tow ball on for as low as £14 +vat, so for what I need it for, I reckon that will do fine.
As far as towing, points noted and all valued. I think at the most, I would only ever need to tow a small box trailer once a year, so that shouldn't be an issue either.
Thanks for all your responses. Next job to add to the list

Stanleysteamer · Jul 21, 2019

Great!
With a small box trailer, if the reverse is tricky you can unhitch it and do it by hand! Not possible when towing 3.5 tonnes!

Discovery 2 Rear Tow Bar Steps

Inkjets1

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brianconwy

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Stanleysteamer

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Si Click

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Stanleysteamer

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Si Click

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Interceptorxj

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Stanleysteamer

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brianconwy

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Stanleysteamer

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Inkjets1

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Stanleysteamer

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