I needed a towbar for occasional towing (dozen times a year) I was not happy with the LR design after reading stories about these. So this £194 detachable version from tow trust looked ideal, removable to not spoil the look of the car but also the extra braces which cannot be a bad thing when shunting my twin axle 1900kg trailer down steep slip ramps. I thought I would post some pics fitted to the sport for anyone else who might be considering options. When I was looking I could not find many photos of this model fitted to a sport so I hope these maybe useful for anyone else evaluating options.

Unboxing the various parts looks good quality and are all corrosion coated quite impressed.

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Interesting. I'm considering one of the fixed bars as they have good reviews on the Disco forum. I had a look at the chassis bolts today to see how corroded they might be - surprised to find that the outer bolt is missing. Was your damper bracket fitted with a bolt on both sides of the rail? Doesn't surprise me if mine has been subjected to LR's legendary QA processes...  2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

The damper bolt appears 2 parts, there is a bolt about 40m Long used on the inside face, this screws into the internal female end of the insert. The chassis insert has got a turned down 9mm square on the protruding outside face side (so you can hold it while tightening down the nut side). Damper bracket is clamped around the chassis. My cars 2005 and the inside bolts came out easier enough with a larger rachet bar. Its just a bit of a swine if the centres of the insert goes off cock with the hole. The bolt just will not want to go back home you have to jiggle a lift and pulling the outer side to re-align back up.

So there was no bolt in the outer face of the chassis rail fixed in to the insert too - the bolt is only fixed on the inside face of the chassis rail? Bit odd.

Just re-read your post, there is obviously a missing bolt on my bracket. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Maybe you have a >2008 there are slightly different fitting instructions for chassis brace. Kit for 2008 comes with 2 long bolts and 2 chassis inserts,

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Mine's an early 2008 so I think it falls under the <2008 instructions. I'm guessing that when the damper weight brackets were put on the bolt was missed (it's missing from both rails) or the bolt has been removed by someone at some time. I'm hoping that the threads are ok and not too filled with crud or corrosion. Perhaps I'll pick up a couple of the bolts from LR and fitt new bolts to the bracket to be sure. Just need to figure out the part number next...

Thanks for the replies.  2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Based on this write-up, I've went and got the fixed version (£161) and sold my detachable to part pay for it, so not expensive in the end.

I too had problems getting the lock pin to engage. Cue much filing and then some judicious ekky thump, so its more or less seated properly. I sure as heck can't find the bolt that takes the place of the allen bolt Couple of spare bolts in the kit but neither of them are the right thread...

Onto the next bit and like OP the first side brace went on without a problem (the n/s one). The second has been a complete nightmare and after 2 hours I gave up - it was getting dark and I had a shoulder op 3 weeks ago, so was in some pain at the end. As suggested I eased the other side of the chassis lug but still couldn't get it to line up as the bracket holding the counter/balance weight wouldn't move far enough over the right to allow straight access to the hole. I tried clamping but very hard to get a clear purchase. Will take it to my local specialist to do as I'm really feeling it this morning. Unless someone has any bright ideas or experience?

The instructions are clear and simple to follow. If it all just went together as indicated then it wouldn't take more than 45 minutes to do I reckon. Torque settings are in NM and my torque wrench is either ft/lb or kgf metres, so take a calculator if you're not NM!

That bloody bolt...

I don't know if it is still available but Mantec or Safety Devices used to make a recovery peg that you could lock into the square receiver (for the few who do go off-roading)- FFRR L322 also had a similar subframe sort of system for the removable tow bar and I had the Freelander bike rack mounted between the tow bar and the drawer / tail of the the bit that fitted into the receiver. 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

Got it fixed at local MOT station in the end but still a struggle for two of us!

Looks good though

Hi Adam

I think I have bought your car from a local dealer. Unfortunately the flange has been discontinued. I don’t suppose you still have it as I will be happy to buy it off of you.

Thanks
Luke

Hi there, hope she's running well for you. Never missed a beat for me, sailed through last mot. Not sure what you mean flange? What is missing?

It’s missing the tow ball and detachable flange. I can’t seem to find them anywhere as they have been discontinued

Thank you for your reply too, only things I can’t work out is your aftermarket camera not sure it works and the front sensors have a bit of a fault but other than that you have done a great job. Lovely car!

Hi,
I spent $$$$ getting her sound, lots of the common issues all sorted.
Rear camera, I had a after market display in front of the sat nav.
To be honest, say nav is useless, and could not part with 300 quid for a cam input to the existing unit. I took the display out as its wireless for additional cam on trailer.
Bummer about hitch. All present when sold. Have you checked under the back seats?

Ah that would explain why I couldn’t find out how to get it to work! I will replace it then as it’s a nice idea to have one.

Yeah checked everywhere! That’s how I found cables for the camera and looks like a bass box was installed at some point. They must of taken it and sold it separately. Means the how towbar needs replacing as they altered the shape on the TL1 tow bar.

Thanks for you replies though as it will stop me hunting around for bits 😆