P38 Tow bar - my experience

P38 Monkey · Jan 20, 2022

Datatek said:
So I did a proper check on the swan neck bolts today, the bolt heads & nuts are 19mm, the bolt shank is 11mm.
Maybe early cars used imperial I don't know.
The bolts are impossible to remove, I think they would have to be drilled out.

I bought a used pukka LR tow-bar which was in pretty good condition but I still had to get the swan neck bolt machined out and then the swan neck was removed from its bracket using a professional grade hydraulic press. I agree with the comments about bolting the thing together - so if and when I tow a light trailer I'll use a cotter pin, than for anything heavy (like a 20 foot container for example) I'll bolt it securely.
Once again, really useful info from the group....thanks!
...and here's one for the disco boys...
https://paultan.org/2017/09/21/land-rover-discovery-td6-tows-110-tonne-road-train/

kermit_rr · Jan 20, 2022

You could just leave the towbar in place.. that way it's as per spec in the event there's an accident and your insurance company decide not to pay out

P38 Monkey · Jan 20, 2022

kermit_rr said:
You could just leave the towbar in place.. that way it's as per spec in the event there's an accident and your insurance company decide not to pay out

I don't plan to do much towing so the swan neck is in it's neat slot by the spare wheel. So that is "in its place and all stowed correctly".

Mark Piercy · Jan 20, 2022

P38 Monkey said:
I agree with the comments about bolting the thing together - so if and when I tow a light trailer I'll use a cotter pin. Or I might just get real and bolt the thing on in a responsable fashion show respect to other people and road users around me. Because if the pin drops out my light trailor gets loose.... It becomes a f<cking weapon!!!!

just bolt it on correctly...
If it takes too long everytime you want to remove the thing get an impact gun... It'll be cheaper than a solicitor.. Please.

tomcat59alan · Jan 20, 2022

Mark Piercy said:
just bolt it on correctly...
If it takes too long everytime you want to remove the thing get an impact gun... It'll be cheaper than a solicitor.. Please.

+1^^ You don't want your trailer overtaking you.

Mark Piercy · Jan 20, 2022

Is it a bird?? Is a plane??

tomcat59alan · Jan 20, 2022

Mark Piercy said:
Is it a bird?? Is a plane??

Or a fecking bouncing bomb.

brianp38dse · Jan 20, 2022

My tow bar is not the removable type i feel cheated

Mark Piercy · Jan 20, 2022

Neither is mine. I'm not that bothered either..

I'm happy it's bolted to my 38"

tomcat59alan · Jan 20, 2022

Mark Piercy said:
Neither is mine. I'm not that bothered either..
I'm happy it's bolted to my 38"

I've never removed my parking aid.

kermit_rr · Jan 20, 2022

I've never checked if mine is removable or not!!

tomcat59alan · Jan 20, 2022

kermit_rr said:
I've never checked if mine is removable or not!!

It might have dropped off knowing your luck.

Mark Piercy · Jan 20, 2022

tomcat59alan said:
It might have dropped off knowing your luck.

And be covered in anti freeze

P38 Monkey · Jan 20, 2022

That is all very sound advice - will bolt it in place when towing...

Datatek · Jan 20, 2022

tomcat59alan said:
I've never removed my parking aid.

Aye, a totally reliable non electronic parking sensor

tomcat59alan · Jan 20, 2022

Datatek said:
Aye, a totally reliable non electronic parking sensor

And a deterrent to people parking too close.

Datatek · Jan 20, 2022

tomcat59alan said:
And a deterrent to people parking too close.

Had one punter hook his plastic bumper over the hitch, he was amazed when I dropped the car to access and it unhooked

tomcat59alan · Jan 20, 2022

Datatek said:
Had one punter hook his plastic bumper over the hitch, he was amazed when I dropped the car to access and it unhooked

You should have lifted the suspension and driven off,he would have been more amazed.

Mark Piercy · Jan 20, 2022

tomcat59alan said:
You should have lifted the suspension and driven off,he would have been more amazed.

Where's the laughing like funk emoji

kermit_rr · Jan 20, 2022

P38 Monkey said:
That is all very sound advice - will bolt it in place when towing...

Very shrewd in the long term sanity stakes i fear

P38 Tow bar - my experience

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