So.... the spec sheet that the local Land Rover dealer printed out for me based on the VIN number has the following items listed:

Tow hitch fixed height swan neck
remote control height adjustable tow hitch

What I want to know is this: How is the tow-bar height "remotely adjustable" ??

Also for an extra 50 internet points; is there such a thing over there as a standard fit swan-neck with a 1 7/8 tow ball on it, or is everything in Europe 50mm? Every home should have one!

'06 RRS SC Rimini Red
'04 Audi S4 Avant
Escort Mk II Sport

Can't answer the second part re the sizes, but I assume by 'remote control height adjustment' they are referring to the fact you can move the car up and down on using a combination of buttons on the remote (Maybe a MY10 onwards thing only?) when all the cars doors are shut and the hazards are on. ON THE WAY: BMW F21 M140i
MERCEDES GL350 - Metallic Navy Blue w/Grey interior

GOING: BMW F31 335D MSport+ xDrive Touring
GONE: Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE - Stornaway Grey w/Black Interior (wish we'd kept it )
GONE: BMW F10 520D MSport - Carbon Black
GONE:MY12 RRS SDV6 HSE Sumatra/Ivory/Grand Black Privacy glass

From the handbook

Quote:

Air Suspension

Remote operation

WARNING

The remote control will operate effectively
from inside the vehicle. It is therefore
important to keep it out of reach of children at
all times.
When operating the remote control from
inside the passenger compartment, ensure
that the underside of the vehicle has been
checked for obstructions before lowering, and
that a responsible adult has been posted
outside the vehicle, to supervise the lowering
process.
Care should be taken with all suspension
height changes, when a trailer is attached to
the vehicle.
The remote control is programmable to give a
range of functions. See REMOTE CONTROL
PROGRAMMING, 31. If the vehicle’s remote
control has been configured to operate the air
suspension, height may be controlled remotely
to assist in loading the vehicle or attaching a
trailer.
After programming, to change the suspension
height via the remote control, remove the
starter key, turn on the hazard warning lamps
and close all doors. Remote operation is not
possible unless this is done.
To raise the vehicle, press and hold the Land
Rover button (3) and Lock button (1).
To lower the vehicle, press and hold the Land
Rover button (3) and Unlock button (2).
If any button is released during the raising or
lowering of the suspension, all movement of
the suspension will stop. It will restart once the
buttons are pressed again.
The height will initially change slowly but, after
three seconds, the speed will increase. While
the height is changing, a indicator on the
raise/lower switch will be lit according to the
direction of movement.
If the starting height is above or below On-road
height, movement will stop when On-road
height is reached. Further movement can be
achieved by releasing the buttons and pressing
them again.
Normal height control will resume when the
vehicle is driven away.
Note: Remote operation is disabled when the
vehicle is moving.

Well I had no idea about that function .

These are the instructions for the older 3 button key style, there are similar instructions for the newer 5 button style keys too.  ON THE WAY: BMW F21 M140i
MERCEDES GL350 - Metallic Navy Blue w/Grey interior

GOING: BMW F31 335D MSport+ xDrive Touring
GONE: Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE - Stornaway Grey w/Black Interior (wish we'd kept it )
GONE: BMW F10 520D MSport - Carbon Black
GONE:MY12 RRS SDV6 HSE Sumatra/Ivory/Grand Black Privacy glass

The OP is a 2006

Here is 2010MY

Quote:

Air suspension

REMOTE OPERATION

The buttons on the vehicle’s Smart Key can be
used to operate the air suspension, allowing
you to remotely adjust the suspension height
to assist in loading the vehicle or attaching a
trailer.
To change the suspension height using the
Smart Key, the vehicle must be stationary, the
hazard warning lamps switched on and all
doors must be closed.
To raise the suspension, press and hold button
1 and button 2.
To lower the suspension, press and hold
button 1 and button 3.
If any button is released during the raising or
lowering, all movement will stop, until the
buttons are pressed again.
Initially the height will change slowly, but will
increase after three seconds.
While the height is changing, the indicator on
the raise/lower switch will be lit, according to
the direction of movement. See ADJUSTING
THE SUSPENSION (page 169).
If the starting height for the suspension is
above or below the Normal height, all
movement will stop when Normal height is
reached. Release the buttons and then press
them again, to continue.
The suspension will automatically return to
Normal height when the vehicle is driven and
the road speed exceeds 10 km/h (6 mph)

2012MY

Quote:

REMOTE OPERATION

The Smart Key can be operated from
inside or outside the vehicle. It is
therefore important that it is kept out
of the reach of children at all times.
When operating the Smart Key from
inside the vehicle, make sure that an
adult checks for obstructions under
the vehicle and supervises the raising
or lowering process.
Care should be taken with all height
changes, when a trailer is attached to
the vehicle.
The buttons on the Smart Key may be used to
operate the air suspension system, allowing
the vehicle to be raised or lowered remotely.
This may be useful in attaching a trailer or
loading the vehicle.
To change the suspension height using the
Smart Key, the vehicle must be stationary, all
the doors closed and the hazard warning lamps
switched on.

To raise the vehicle press and hold button (1),
then press and hold button (2).
To lower the vehicle press and hold button (1),
then press and hold button (3)
If the starting height is above or below normal
height, movement will cease when normal
height is reached. Release the Smart Key
buttons and press again to continue.
DYNAMIC RESPONSE
The dynamic response system adjusts the
suspension to eliminate or reduce body roll
while cornering on-road, and to provide greater
axle articulation and improved traction when
driving off-road.
RED: The message STOP VEHICLE, STOP
SAFELY, STOP ENGINE is displayed. A fault
that may result in serious damage to the
vehicle has been detected. Stop the vehicle as
soon as safety permits and switch off the
engine. Do not continue driving and seek
qualified assistance immediately.
AMBER: The message VEHICLE LEAN WHEN
CORNERING is displayed. The detected fault
will result in reduced dynamic response
performance. The vehicle can still be driven,
but reduce speed and seek qualified assistance
at the earliest opportunity.
ADAPTIVE DYNAMICS
If a fault is detected, this warning
lamp illuminates either Red or
Amber, depending on the severity
of the fault. A corresponding
message will also be displayed.
If a fault is detected, this warning
lamp illuminates either Red or
Amber, depending on the severity
of the fault. A corresponding
message will also be displayed.

My response was for 362bkr  ON THE WAY: BMW F21 M140i
MERCEDES GL350 - Metallic Navy Blue w/Grey interior

GOING: BMW F31 335D MSport+ xDrive Touring
GONE: Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE - Stornaway Grey w/Black Interior (wish we'd kept it )
GONE: BMW F10 520D MSport - Carbon Black
GONE:MY12 RRS SDV6 HSE Sumatra/Ivory/Grand Black Privacy glass

 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!

Aha. I knew about teh remote height adjustment using the kkey fob, but always wondered what the point was of having to have the hazard lights on.... now I see the bit about "useful if hitching a trailer" - so that makes sense.

Thanks team. Shame that while Europe has a standardised 50mm towball size, New Zealand has 2 (sometimes 3) different sizes with no-one settling on a specific size going forward, so you really need to have a removable towball and carry both sizes and a spannner! Lame...


Spoke to the local stealer and he started pricing up the new-style hitch and removable towbar and got up to nearly $2k with more to go! Um... no thanks! Every home should have one!

'06 RRS SC Rimini Red
'04 Audi S4 Avant
Escort Mk II Sport

Jeez , Frostmotor sport I knew that you where a bit behind over the ditch but not that bad. : The last time I had to use a 1 7/8 ball was in 1970 on the 1965 racecar trailer. In Aussie land we have been on 50mm for over 20years although there is a lot of interest in restoring 1960's caravans at the moment. Not sure what they are doing-maybe two balls as well.

mate, we only got that new-fangled elektricity thing last month!

Was thinking of machining the towball on teh factory goose-neck to take both hitches.... anyone have any suggestions? I was just thinking of taking 1.5mm off the front where the hitch spring-loaded tongue locks in. ?? Every home should have one!

'06 RRS SC Rimini Red
'04 Audi S4 Avant
Escort Mk II Sport