Has anyone else had their detachable towbar "removed" without their permission?

Mine was taken in either a Tesco carpark (30 mins inside) or Halfords carpark (10 mins inside) on Sunday just gone......

Had only had used it 3 times to date..... And the last time was to pull a snow bound car out !!!!

I had assumed once locked on they couldn't be removed........... Well hacked off ( and that's v polite ).

Maybe a patronising question (so apologies up front ) But .... I assume you removed the key?

If you did then it raises another question in my mind........ Are all the keys the same for all the towbars?
Has anyone tested this?

One other thing, Don't Tesco & Halfords normally CCTV the car park? If you know within 30mins when it happened perhaps they would check the tapes for you and maybe get a reg from the theifs car? 2013 Discovery HSE Luxury - 3.0 SDV6 - Santorini Black
2013 Evoque 5 Door Pure Tech SD4 - Orkney Grey with Panoramic Roof (Mrs E's new baby)

GONE - RRS - 3.0 TDV6 HSE - Santorini (2010)
GONE - RRS - 2.7 TDV6 HSE - Java Black (2007)
GONE - Porsche Boxster S - 3.2 - Black

Key definately removed..... No offence taken

CCTV is something I will be asking about at both stores, just not had chance to go back due to work commitments..... Will do at the weekend.

I believe the keys are all different... Chap at LR told me that.

I bought a genuine towbar off Ebay but it only came with one key so I went to the main dealer to see if I could order a new key and was told that I had to buy a new lock which came complete with the green plastic part and two new keys, (in stock and only cost about £11 so no big deal). What did surprise me was the fact that the new part had exactly the same key number as my Ebay key.

If anyone is interested I could post the key number on here, perhaps there are more duplicate keys about than we may think!!

Jim

On my first RRS the key broke (old design) - took to LR and the service chap just took key from another for me saying something like there aren't many different ones around

Think I posted on it at the time - you could buy or cut keys then acquire at will - seems ridiculous to me. But looking at it towbars prob have more value than copper to those ....... that like to acquire of no fixed abode ....

silly question , it was locked ? i drove round with mine for 6 mths no key in it and unlocked  2014 5.0SC AB

Gone 5.0 SC

Is was wodering why the removable part was stolen as its pretty useless without the rest of the parts that are fixed to the car.
Do thieves weigh them in for cash or try and sell them on Fleebay one wonders......
Nik

MAW wrote:

On my first RRS the key broke (old design) - took to LR and the service chap just took key from another for me saying something like there aren't many different ones around

Think I posted on it at the time - you could buy or cut keys then acquire at will - seems ridiculous to me. But looking at it towbars prob have more value than copper to those ....... that like to acquire of no fixed abode ....

There's a few threads on D3 about removing the towbars when they have losted the key

They dont actually say how it's done in public, but PM the details, so I presume it's a simple trick to doing without a key

Also - the "lock" on the towbar shouldn't be assumed to be a security device, more a way of confirming the bar is fitted correctly. Like this site? Buy some RRSPORT goodies to show your support!

I always remove mine when I am not towing - I think the car looks better and I know its safe

Fleebay is full of detachable towbars so no prizes where they get them  Wanted a Series 2 LR since childhood but previously owned MY16 Disco Sport HSE TD4 Auto, MY13 RR Sport Black Edition TDV6 Auto, MY10 RR Sport HSE TDV6 Auto, 2007 Freelander 1 Freestyle TD4 Soft Top, 2009 Freelander 2 GS TD4 Auto, 2007 Freelander 2 GS TD4, 2004 Disco 2 Metropolis Auto, 2002 Disco 2 GS, 2000 Freelander 1 SE TD4 SW

Still hoping for a S2 one day!

Hmmmmm Mine was so bloody difficult to get on in the first place that I have just left it in place!
After these posts I think I may detach it again when not in use. I'll just have to carry a bloody great hammer in the boot so that I can get it to fit when I need it!  2013 Discovery HSE Luxury - 3.0 SDV6 - Santorini Black
2013 Evoque 5 Door Pure Tech SD4 - Orkney Grey with Panoramic Roof (Mrs E's new baby)

GONE - RRS - 3.0 TDV6 HSE - Santorini (2010)
GONE - RRS - 2.7 TDV6 HSE - Java Black (2007)
GONE - Porsche Boxster S - 3.2 - Black

Mine goes in easy but removing takes practice - might be worth getting yours checked if it is difficult  Wanted a Series 2 LR since childhood but previously owned MY16 Disco Sport HSE TD4 Auto, MY13 RR Sport Black Edition TDV6 Auto, MY10 RR Sport HSE TDV6 Auto, 2007 Freelander 1 Freestyle TD4 Soft Top, 2009 Freelander 2 GS TD4 Auto, 2007 Freelander 2 GS TD4, 2004 Disco 2 Metropolis Auto, 2002 Disco 2 GS, 2000 Freelander 1 SE TD4 SW

Still hoping for a S2 one day!

Tboner wrote:

silly question , it was locked ? i drove round with mine for 6 mths no key in it and unlocked

News to me it can be locked - key out = locked - I leave mine on for protection in case of rear shunt - helped me once already !! made a mess of what hit me though

MAW, If I read your post right, you can't get the key out. If you can't get the key out then the towbar isn't located properly and could be dangerous if towing. This is the problem i had with mine. It's down to the little silver locking bar not being able to locate into it's receptor hole on the car. If it doesn't then the detachable unit could potentialy just fall out! 2013 Discovery HSE Luxury - 3.0 SDV6 - Santorini Black
2013 Evoque 5 Door Pure Tech SD4 - Orkney Grey with Panoramic Roof (Mrs E's new baby)

GONE - RRS - 3.0 TDV6 HSE - Santorini (2010)
GONE - RRS - 2.7 TDV6 HSE - Java Black (2007)
GONE - Porsche Boxster S - 3.2 - Black

No - key is out - thats how we know it is located correctly - query I had was the ability to lock the tow bar in place as suggested above .