Forum-Gallery-Shop-Sponsors

« Advertise on Freel2.com

Home > Maintenance & Modifications > TOW BAR AND BIKE RACK
Post Reply  Down to end
Page 1 of 2 12>
Print this entire topic · 
BradRE271



Member Since: 10 Feb 2013
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 9

TOW BAR AND BIKE RACK

Please excuse my ignorance,

I want to fit a genuine Freelander 2 Bike rack to my Freelander. What sort of tow bar do I need? Electrics? Light board...

Really not sure about all this.

Any advice would be mega.

Thanks

Ben

Post #221311 5th Apr 2014 2:58 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
troutmask



Member Since: 10 Mar 2014
Location: newbury
Posts: 10

United Kingdom 2012 Freelander 2 TD4 XS Manual Barolo Black

worth noting that Landrover just rebadge Thule bike carriers - the sales rep at Landrover told me this when i enquired about buying one (decent bloke!). Then bought one on ebay for a great price.

Bought mine with tow bar and electrics fitted and the Thule just connected up and worked a treat

Post #221363 5th Apr 2014 10:25 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
MidlandRover



Member Since: 30 Jun 2013
Location: Derby
Posts: 496

England 2014 Freelander 2 SD4 Metropolis LE Auto Santorini Black

I had a Thule 3 bike carrier and a Land Rover detachable Towbar with single 7 pin electrics, the rack came with all lights fitted just needed a number plate. FL2 SD4 Metropolis Auto Santorini Black / ivory completely stock.

It's true that light travels faster than sound, some people look quite intelligent until you hear them speak.


Stop global winging.

Post #221365 5th Apr 2014 10:36 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
SimonB



Member Since: 23 Feb 2011
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 202

United Kingdom 2011 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE Auto Stornoway Grey

+1

Post #221532 7th Apr 2014 1:56 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
fredastaire



Member Since: 03 Dec 2012
Location: Holbrook
Posts: 721

United Kingdom 2010 Freelander 2 TD4 GS Auto Santorini Black

For the to bar I reccomend the Witter author a detatchable swanneck its a quick fit fit with no cutting or drilling , DIY very easy.
.
For electrics go for aftermarket by pass relay with 7 pin black socket.
This will allow bike rack with trailer board and all fog lights reverse sensors fully operational.
.
The dedicated LR electrics is for towing vans where it will disable the park sensors and fog lights, might also disable the reverse lights. These special functions operate only when the trailer plug is inserted. For autos it also changes the gear change points - as you only want to fit a bike rack you are best to avoid the LR option.
.
If you want to tow then the LR electrics comes into its own.
.
Re the bike rack makers I have no idea.
.
Hope this helps
.
Kind regards from Fred
. 2010GS Auto ex Celeb, Santorini Black, 2011 facelift , spoiler, spats, mudflaps, LED footwell lamps, Witter detach,
Other cars:-
1958 & 1959 Austin J40 Pedal Cars under restoration (I make many J40 parts)
If you have an Austin J40 or Pathfinder Pedal Car looking for a new home pls PM me.
2009 Meriva

Post #221533 7th Apr 2014 2:15 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Winslet



Member Since: 01 Oct 2013
Location: Bedfordshire
Posts: 281

United Kingdom 

Ben

I have just fitted a Witter detachable swan neck tow bar to my FL. This is my second FL and the second time I have fitted the Witter - no bumper cut required and the Witter can be had with either a detachable swan neck or flange fitting.

I have Thule bike rack that is tow bar fitting and carries 3 bikes - not sure how close this is to the Land Rover one.

Couple of photos below.

HTH

Andrew

Click image to enlarge


Click image to enlarge


Bought a number plate today. The electrics are single socket and I went for the dedicated kit which plugs into the harness. On a MY2013 it is plug and play, on pre MY2013 cars it is slightly more expensive and has a control unit as part of the kit - all fit/plug in behind the nearside wheel arch liner in the boot. Tow bar and electrics from PF Jones. Bike rack from Halfords... I think! 2016 BMW X3 30d SE in red
MY2013 SD4 XS Firenze Red, 19" 10 spoke contrast paint wheels, Signature Strips, Grand Black Lacquer trim, Cold Climate Pack - gone!
2007 TD4 S Stornoway Grey - gone!

Post #221554 7th Apr 2014 7:14 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
JohnD



Member Since: 08 Dec 2013
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 8

United Kingdom 2014 Freelander 2 TD4 XS Manual Firenze Red

Winslet,

I’m also thinking about how best to fit a bike carrier. The post was very interesting.

Could you help me:-

Which wiring harness did you buy from P.F. Jones and did you have to re-wire the tow ball socket?

Does the Thule come with a 7 pin plug and if so I presume you need an adaptor?

Thanks

John Gone: S1 TNB 664
Gone: S2
Gone: 110 Defender
Gone: TD5 Disco

Post #221689 9th Apr 2014 10:20 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
pab



Member Since: 28 Aug 2012
Location: Now in Mid-Wales
Posts: 2006

United Kingdom 2009 Freelander 2 TD4 XS Manual Lago Grey

Or consider a roof mounted carrier if you don't need the tow bar for other reasons. No need for a tow bar or light board, you can still open the tailgate with the bikes in situ, and the car still fits in a normal parking space with the reversing sensors working (just watch out for height restrictions). Cheaper too. Although I guess it does help if you're reasonably tall and/or carry something to stand on.

Post #221692 9th Apr 2014 10:41 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
JohnD



Member Since: 08 Dec 2013
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 8

United Kingdom 2014 Freelander 2 TD4 XS Manual Firenze Red

Thanks for the suggestion - trouble is I take the bikes on Brittany Ferries twice a year and they charge an extra £80 height supplement each time. Gone: S1 TNB 664
Gone: S2
Gone: 110 Defender
Gone: TD5 Disco

Post #221696 9th Apr 2014 11:05 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
pab



Member Since: 28 Aug 2012
Location: Now in Mid-Wales
Posts: 2006

United Kingdom 2009 Freelander 2 TD4 XS Manual Lago Grey

Yes, that would rather add up, wouldn't it!

Post #221700 9th Apr 2014 11:20 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Past master



Member Since: 30 Jun 2010
Location: Isle of Ely
Posts: 2710

United Kingdom 

To both the new posters above - it's a good idea to update your details so that we can see which car model you have (wave a mouse over the little FR2 on the left of this post and you'll see which model I have). With towbars it does make a difference, as MY13 cars have plug and play electrics, but on earlier cars the electrics have to be enabled by a LR dealer (at a price).
Edit - sorry JohnD, I see you've done that! Embarassed

Post #221703 9th Apr 2014 11:45 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
simong_uk



Member Since: 31 Jan 2014
Location: Sutton Coldfield
Posts: 146

United Kingdom 2014 Freelander 2 TD4 GS Manual Orkney Grey

I just fitted a PCT towbar from pfjones - very helpful they were too...
I have a'13 model, and the plug and play electrics work (13 pin with a 7 pin adaptor)- you only need dealer intervention to change the programming if you want the rear sensors to go off when you have something plugged in/attached - seeing as its more often a bike rack than the trailer I can live with that....If only I can turn down the rear parking sensor volume...
Oh and need to work out where to put the socket as its not going to live very long if I head into some ruts... 2000 Xei 1.8 gone
2004 HSE Td4 Auto, MT's, sump guard, sliderz - gone
2014 GS Man - AT's, Mantec Sump guard and tank guard, split charger in boot, towbar, work in progress...

Post #221706 9th Apr 2014 11:57 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
SimonB



Member Since: 23 Feb 2011
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 202

United Kingdom 2011 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE Auto Stornoway Grey

pab wrote:
you can still open the tailgate with the bikes in situ


Thule, and perhaps other makes, do racks that 'drop' so that you can access the boot with the bikes loaded. A bit pricier though but I think worth it for the convenience.

Post #221707 9th Apr 2014 12:03 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
MidlandRover



Member Since: 30 Jun 2013
Location: Derby
Posts: 496

England 2014 Freelander 2 SD4 Metropolis LE Auto Santorini Black

That's the type I had very usefull. FL2 SD4 Metropolis Auto Santorini Black / ivory completely stock.

It's true that light travels faster than sound, some people look quite intelligent until you hear them speak.


Stop global winging.

Post #221712 9th Apr 2014 12:15 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
pcheaven



Member Since: 19 Jan 2010
Location: Kent
Posts: 1459

United Kingdom 

The genuine LR cycle carrier (Pre thule), attaches to the Fixed towbar - there should be a pic in my gallery

I may have one for sale this week......
Depends if it will fit on the Witter Towbar I am having installed tomorrow. 

Post #221732 9th Apr 2014 4:32 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Post Reply  Back to top
Page 1 of 2 12>
All times are GMT

Jump to  
Previous Topic | Next Topic >
Posting Rules
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum



Site Copyright © 2006-2024 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
Freel2.com RSS Feed - All Forums


Switch to Mobile site