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pistol pete



Member Since: 28 Nov 2019
Location: Kent
Posts: 55

United Kingdom 
Which Tow Bar?

How doo.
So i have a 2007 freelander 2 Se as my daily
But it will also be used for towing my 1500kg trailer around (racecar)


I don't have a tow bar at the moment. happy to fit myself,..,

Which is the best / value for money/ strong/ trusted etc tow bar to get?

I read somewhere theres a plug and you just plug the tow bar electrics in? this sounds perfect... Will the rear bumper need cutting..

any help would be great
thanks
Pete

Post #382794 16th Dec 2019 8:41 am
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RogB



Member Since: 16 Dec 2014
Location: Mansfield
Posts: 3868

England 2013 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE Lux Auto Santorini Black

cant advise on the best tow bar sorry.

but as yours is a 2007 model car the electrics will need programming. Its only the 2013> that were plug and play.

I think it just deactivates the rear parking sensors when a towing electrics are plugged in IIRC

Post #382797 16th Dec 2019 10:45 am
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pistol pete



Member Since: 28 Nov 2019
Location: Kent
Posts: 55

United Kingdom 

Ahh okay.
So the wiring will need soldering in or is there still a plug but just needs programming?

Thanks

Post #382802 16th Dec 2019 1:26 pm
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RogB



Member Since: 16 Dec 2014
Location: Mansfield
Posts: 3868

England 2013 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE Lux Auto Santorini Black

Not totally sure tbh but I'm pretty sure no soldering is needed

Post #382806 16th Dec 2019 4:19 pm
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thehelper



Member Since: 29 Jul 2018
Location: Cambridgeshire
Posts: 149

United Kingdom 2008 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Auto Baltic Blue

I have the 2008 HSE, so same model as you. I got a detachable swan neck from Tow Bars UK. Easy to fit no bumper cutting, did not even have to remove the bumper. I bought the wiring harness cheaper elsewhere (Ebay I think). Harness just plugs in behind the left panel in the luggage space. I have not bothered with the reprogramming. The only reason for that would be to stop the parking sensor beeping when reversing with a trailer connected. I am lucky enough to have the dash switch so can turn it off. But, to be honest how much reversing do you do with a trailer hitched.
Good luck.

Post #382827 16th Dec 2019 10:14 pm
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axle



Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: South Yorkshire.
Posts: 1041

England 2007 Freelander 2 i6 HSE Auto Santorini Black

it also switches off the rear fog lights. Common sense isn't very common.
_______________________________
2007 Land Rover Freelander2 I6 hse Auto

Post #382830 16th Dec 2019 11:05 pm
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Simon J



Member Since: 27 Jul 2019
Location: Norn Iron
Posts: 695

2008 Freelander 2 TD4 XS Auto Rimini Red

You could try using the search function as there are quite a few threads on towbars and electrics but a word of warning - currently the Witter detachable towbar comes with only a 125kg rating on the tow ball rather than the 150kg they claim in their description on their website.

The genuine LR cable harness is significantly more expensive than the aftermarket options and is not actually listed by LR any more although some dealers claim to have it available. I used a cable harness from PF Jones which was a very straightforward installation - see picture


As others have noted, the electrics need recoded to switch off the reversing sensor, but otherwise everything works as it should. The P F Jones harness also works with LED lights on the trailer apparently.

Post #382832 17th Dec 2019 5:40 am
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pistol pete



Member Since: 28 Nov 2019
Location: Kent
Posts: 55

United Kingdom 

brilliant
thanks peoples..
I have a Parking sensor button on the dash too . so not too fussed about that.. Thumbs Up Thumbs Up
Ill let you knwo how i get on

Post #382833 17th Dec 2019 8:51 am
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Bobupndown



Member Since: 26 Dec 2014
Location: Upside down behind the TV!
Posts: 2652

United Kingdom 2014 Freelander 2 SD4 GS Auto Orkney Grey

Later models (mine is 2014) alter the auto gear box change points, holding onto gears longer when towing similiar to sport mode, not sure if the earlier models do this? Landrover - turning owners into mechanics since 1948

2014 Orkney grey Freelander SD4 GS.
2004 Zambezi silver Discovery 2 Td5 (Gone)
1963 Surf blue Morris Mini Minor Super de Luxe (my little toy)

Post #382844 17th Dec 2019 12:20 pm
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JonMs



Member Since: 25 May 2018
Location: Ilkley
Posts: 100

United Kingdom 2011 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE Auto Santorini Black

The earlier models do not do this.

Post #382849 17th Dec 2019 1:21 pm
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Simon J



Member Since: 27 Jul 2019
Location: Norn Iron
Posts: 695

2008 Freelander 2 TD4 XS Auto Rimini Red

When I asked Land Rover about the matter of altering the gearbox change points when adding the trailer module via a software update they said that no change was made to either engine or gearbox. That being the case I would be sceptical that the later cars do this. It makes no sense to alter change points just because something is connected to the towing electrics - it could be nothing more than a light board attached to a bicycle rack - hardly enough extra weight to warrant different gearbox behaviour.

The hand book with my 2008 car is very clear that it is the weight of the trailer that will affect change points which seems logical.

Post #382850 17th Dec 2019 1:50 pm
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JonMs



Member Since: 25 May 2018
Location: Ilkley
Posts: 100

United Kingdom 2011 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE Auto Santorini Black

According to the LR brochures, the latest models had "Trailer Stability Assist". No mention of auto change points.

Post #382851 17th Dec 2019 2:54 pm
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Stuartc



Member Since: 01 Dec 2014
Location: Perth, Australia
Posts: 2292

Australia 2015 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE Auto Aintree Green

Gearbox & PCM Have different maps when trailer is detected! MY15
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Surround Camera System
InControl Apps soon to be replaced with CarPlay (WIP)
Meridian Premium Surround Sound
Digital Audio Broadcast
Timed Climate
Cruise ECO Data
Follow Me Home Reverse
Extra Features Menu
Picture In Motion
4x4i screen (WIP)
Digital Broadcast TV
Meridian Rear Media with WIFI
Factory Powered Tailgate
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Reverse Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Electrochromatic Wing Mirrors (WIP)

Post #382852 17th Dec 2019 3:00 pm
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axle



Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: South Yorkshire.
Posts: 1041

England 2007 Freelander 2 i6 HSE Auto Santorini Black

Bobupndown wrote:
Later models (mine is 2014) alter the auto gear box change points, holding onto gears longer when towing similiar to sport mode, not sure if the earlier models do this?


My 2007 i6 does. Common sense isn't very common.
_______________________________
2007 Land Rover Freelander2 I6 hse Auto

Post #382860 17th Dec 2019 5:50 pm
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Simon J



Member Since: 27 Jul 2019
Location: Norn Iron
Posts: 695

2008 Freelander 2 TD4 XS Auto Rimini Red

Not according to LR who said, when I queried this with them, “ I can confirm it does not alter the Engine or Transmission.”

Post #382863 17th Dec 2019 6:03 pm
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