New User - Tow Bar advice

[CaptGinger]

Morning Everyone,

New user here and apologies I have no idea of how to make my avatar a picture.

I have lurked on the Forum for a while and searched on this topic but I have a question over the stability of detachable tow bars.

I have sold my little box as I have put my older horse out on loan for an easier life so currently only have a 2 yr old IDX, I aren't wanting to take him to a million places but would like to take him to a couple of local shows so he can see a bit of the world. We live on steep yorkshire hills, I have a Land Rover defender so I am not worried about the cars towing capabilities as such but my partner wont let me have a fixed tow bar. I have always been dubious about electronic/removable tow bars however I appreciate that they have surely improved over the years and aren't as dodgy as I have in my head.

Does anyone have any experience of towing with one or any nuggets of wisdom?

It would only be short term and for a few journeys as I would probably get another small box once he is backed etc and I can use mums 7.5 ton if I really needed its just a very pokey lane and a lot of hassle for her to get to me.

Apologies for the long thread - I have tried to attach a picture of said 2 year old just to make it a more interesting read!

Thanks

 

[CaptGinger]

 

[atropa]

Lovely horse. I have a Range Rover which came with a detachable towbar, I wasn't keen as had heard loads of people say they weren't good for livestock, horror stories of them coming off etc. However my partner felt it would have have been perfectly adequate for the towing as it was rated to 3.5tonne, they wouldn't put them on if they weren't safe etc. As it happens mine turned out to be set too low for my trailer and wasn't adjustable enough so we had to swap to a fixed towbar instead, which I'm much happier with.

 

[EnduroRider]

I think the issue comes when removable tow bars are left in place and ongoing vibrations causes excessive wear leading them to then fail under load. If you are taking it off after every use then should be fine. That said, I had a fixed tow bar put on to my Discovery as wasn't keen on the detachable either!

 

[CaptGinger]

Thanks for the replies

I know the horror stories are rife which worries me on such big hills. But like you say they will be rated for a safe towing allowance.

He did say I could have an electric one fitted that folds up and down but again in my head these worry me - I am sure I am overthinking it all! We carry such precious cargo though don’t we ?

maybe I will rely on mum giving me lifts for a few years instead - will just bribe her with lots of chocolate!

 

[Bobthecob15]

We have a removable one as my husband didn't like the look of a fixed one on his lovely car! Its absolutely fine for us, we only tow one pony in our trailer and not that often. I do find it a pain to have to keep putting on and taking off, I'd prefer a fixed one!

 

[Tiddlypom]

Fixed tow bar or no tow bar for me.

A Defender without a fixed tow bar looks like it's missing something .

 

[MagicMelon]

Why on earth wont he "let" you have one. Id TELL him I was getting a fixed one personally I wouldnt like towing with a removable one, one of ours had one and we had it replaced with a fixed.

 

[CaptGinger]

It’s one of the new defenders and he says it will ruin the look ?‍ I keep saying it’s only a pretend 4x4 without a tow bar!

I think you have all convinced me I don’t want to use a detachable one.
Thanks guys I will rope the mother in for lift duties

 

[phizz4]

Previous discussion.
https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/tow-bar-question.808872/#post-14701461

 

[Bobthecob15]

It’s one of the new defenders and he says it will ruin the look ?‍ I keep saying it’s only a pretend 4x4 without a tow bar!

I think you have all convinced me I don’t want to use a detachable one.
Thanks guys I will rope the mother in for lift duties

Ours has been absolutely fine, I'd have one again its just a bit of a fiddle putting up and taking off but takes seconds really.

 

[Michen]

Jeez, he sounds like a nightmare! Not letting you put a towbar on a DEFENDER because of how it looks ?‍?

 

[asmp]

I used to tow all over the country with a detachable tow bar on a BMW X5 And never had any problems. I only towed a 14.2 on his own though and, now I have a choice, don’t think I would again after hearing some of the horror stories.

 

[Upthecreek]

Hilarious that your partner thinks a tow bar will spoil the look of a 4x4, it’s not a sports car for goodness sake ? Anything detachable has the risk of not being properly attached or of becoming accidentally detached so it’s a no from me.

 

[Annagain]

An electrically deployable one on a new Defender isn't quite the same as a detachable one as it's always there, it's just hidden it when not in use so the chances of it falling off (because the mechanism to hold it in place is worn) are much reduced.

 

[Tiddlypom]

The fancy electrics on LR vehicles are not known for being reliable, though.

 

[Birker2020]

My Dad didn't want to put one on his car (as a back up for me in case my car broke down or was being serviced) because he said it could devalue the sale of the car and it is implied that greater loads are put on the engine that a car without one so that might be the reason why the OP's husband objected.

 

[Michen]

My Dad didn't want to put one on his car (as a back up for me in case my car broke down or was being serviced) because he said it could devalue the sale of the car and it is implied that greater loads are put on the engine that a car without one so that might be the reason why the OP's husband objected.

Op said because of the look of the car. A defender is not going to be devalued by having a towbar.

 

[luckyoldme]

If it's actually your defender then put what you want on it.
This seems to be an ideal training opportunity for your oh.
Gently explain to him that it's got f#£& all to do with him .
If it's his defender then that a different matter all together.
My preference would always be for a fixed towbar, less opportunities to make a mistake.
I'm saying this as a trucker with a fair bit of experience. The fact is we can all make mistakes.

 

[CaptGinger]

I am still in the process of turning him into a country boy! The fact I convinced him of a defender for the dogs in the first place is a miracle so I def still have leg work to do on a permanent tow bar ?

Thanks again for all your replies I will stick to lifts for now and re asses when the youngster is ready for getting out and about more

 

[CaptGinger]

It’s a shared car and he paid more than I did towards it ? so I can’t just overrule!

 

[July dreamer]

If it's one of the new style Defenders, then in my opinion, there is nothing you could do to spoil the look of it. Sorry if it's your car, but they are ugly, especially from behind. Land Rovers should have fixed tow bars, they are (were?) supposed to be work vehicles. Rant over.

I personally wouldn't have anything but a fixed tow bar, I have one on my Ford Kuga and, obviously, on my Series 3 Land Rover.

Meant to add, the Kuga is ugly too but it does a job!

 

[CaptGinger]

@July dreamer

it is one of the new ones yes, don’t worry I aren’t offended at all - each to their own

But yes I do agree that they are/should be work vehicles and in all other respects it gets used as one but for some reason he is really against a fixed tow bar as he loves the look of the back end of it

 

[Michen]

It’s a shared car and he paid more than I did towards it ? so I can’t just overrule!

But you shouldn’t even have to! You paid towards it, it’s a shared car, you want to safely tow your horse.

Maybe this is why I’m single, I just wouldn’t stand for that kind of rubbish ?

He needs a bit more “schooling” op or rather a crack with the whip!

 

[chocolategirl]

I think the issue comes when removable tow bars are left in place and ongoing vibrations causes excessive wear leading them to then fail under load. If you are taking it off after every use then should be fine. That said, I had a fixed tow bar put on to my Discovery as wasn't keen on the detachable either!

This was exactly the issue, they’re detachable for a reason, they’re meant to be taken off when not in use, that’s what the guy who supplied ours said. We have one on our Range Rover, husband insisted purely for cosmetic reasons, men? doesn’t worry me at all though tbh, we tow both a trailer and a caravan, no issues but we do take it off when not needed.

 

[CaptGinger]

Hahahah @Michen he might just enjoy that!!!