Silverlandy said:

That's too many variables to be a safe towbar. HEre is the pic of the said tow bar....could give some clues??

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is that locking pin supposed to be tapered or the same diameter of the hole it comes out of?

SteveD said:

Any car handbook will tell you not to get under a vehicle supported by a jack alone so unless the LR handbook says "Do not tow with this towbar" your analogy is flawed.

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You don't know how analogies work, do you? My point was if you don't follow the instructions, don't complain if the result is something you don't like.

The Land Rover manual for that tow ball (LSB 10 02 99 122) says:

ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
• DO NOT exceed the revised nose weight limit of 150kg (330lb).
• When the quick release tow ball is not required for immediate use, it should be removed and stowed in the appropriate place.
HEAVY DUTY MULTI-HEIGHT TOW
BAR SYSTEM
If there is a requirement for towing with a greater nose weight, for example, commercial or constant use towing, Land Rover Accessories have available a suitable tow bar system.

The hitch pictured does not appear to have been removed and stowed. The lock mechanism does not appear to have been lubricated. It does not appear to be a suitable tow system for the purpose used.

You can argue all you want, but if the hitch had been used properly (i.e. removed when not in use and fitted fresh every time) then the mechanism would have had regular checks, and perhaps the accident would have been avoided. It is down to the operator of a vehicle to ensure that the vehicle is being used correctly.

You wouldn't say that someone with a Sankey trailer was correct to use a standard tow ball with the NATO ring, even though a standard ball is perfectly adequate for towing a trailer larger than a Sankey. It would be the wrong hitch for the purpose. Same here: despite what people are saying on this thread, there is nothing intrinsically wrong with the removable hitch as supplied by Land Rover, BUT (and it is a big but) it has to be used correctly and for the correct purpose. I wouldn't trust a horse box to one, but I would use one for pulling the occasional trailer full of stuff, and for caravan towing.

nrgserv said:

is that locking pin supposed to be tapered or the same diameter of the hole it comes out of?

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It is tapered, but in that picture the locking pin isn't fully out. The green locking lever should point upwards when locked.

If that's how it came off, then it's not been fitted corretcly, the locking mechanism seems to be covered in crud .. though that could just be 'cos they've removed it from the vehicle ..

The attachment I've included shows how it should look when locked.

We switched ours from the detachable kind to the fixed kind as there was all sorts of wobble in it!! Not good when you're towing 3.5 tonne !!!

The socket is welded to the chassis too so you cant replace it once it wears

Paul D said:

It is tapered, but in that picture the locking pin isn't fully out. The green locking lever should point upwards when locked.

If that's how it came off, then it's not been fitted corretcly, the locking mechanism seems to be covered in crud .. though that could just be 'cos they've removed it from the vehicle ..

The attachment I've included shows how it should look when locked.

Click to expand...

Thank you.

out of interest which thread did I agree with you on? just curious

mind you I don't think my mind will be changed on this one , as far as I see it theres too many iffs and butts when it comes to this hitch

on landroverhell.com see how many there are on there on a thread about this , a few accidents could be a coincidence or bad maintinace/fitting....about 300 on one website is not


mind u don't trust the web entirely

srtgray said:

The hitch pictured does not appear to have been removed and stowed. The lock mechanism does not appear to have been lubricated. It does not appear to be a suitable tow system for the purpose used.

You can argue all you want, but if the hitch had been used properly (i.e. removed when not in use and fitted fresh every time) then the mechanism would have had regular checks, and perhaps the accident would have been avoided. It is down to the operator of a vehicle to ensure that the vehicle is being used correctly.

Click to expand...

while I agree with the first paragraph and at this moment in time I would say operator error and/or negligence, I will however reserve judgement until I see a removable hitch in the flesh.

is the original post issue under investigation by the police etc?

I'm guessing as the trailer passed them and they said the cable was on right then the brakes didn't work? so that's all the trailer weight pushing forward on the hitch when they are slowing down?