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farmtruck

Member Since: 08 Apr 2025
Location: Scotland
Posts: 9

Aftermarket tow bar - Defender 110 D300 2023

Hi folks

Since Land Rover want an absurd 1800 quid to fit a basic flanged tow bar and the local tow bar place will do the same for around 800 I'm very tempted to go for the local place, who claim they will "code" the wiring modules so that they communicate with the pivipro system.

My question is: has anyone fitted an aftermarket bar and were they successful in getting the screen tow functions to work? By this I mean disabling rear parking sensors during towing and allowing the camera option of looking down on the ball when hitching. I don't need the fancy reversing assist function as I can do that. Are there any other functions? It's unclear from reading around whether or not the trailer stability assist needs to be activated or if it is on by default.

Many thanks

8th Apr 2025 1:38pm

Defendit..

Member Since: 09 Aug 2020
Location: 's-Hertogenbosch
Posts: 442

The screen Tow functions belong to Advanced Tow Assist
This will need a module VPLET0278 , wiring harnass and coding ( GAP IIDtool v4 ) No Mud flaps for my 90.!
-----------------------------------------
P300S MY21 Keswick Green on air, adv.+ offroad pack, DRL+fog, Dinamica Suedecloth + Ebony headliner/Cross Beam- Many Mods..

9th Apr 2025 3:28am

TexasRover

Member Since: 24 Nov 2022
Location: Paris
Posts: 1224

2002 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Chawton White

I think now in Europe (not sure about the UK) there are certification requirements for towing equipment. Make sure the alternative supplier meets that, you would think it does.

Owner of older cars myself I would agree with you that all that fancy stuff is just upselling on JLR side and it would not add value for me personally. If you are old, have a bit too much disposable income and haul around a large caravan showing off on the campsite, yes it might be worth it then.

Obviously you do want your lights to work..

9th Apr 2025 7:41am

Crazymind

Member Since: 11 Jun 2024
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 242

All basics. Detachable option was 2k option from dealer. Went for a reputable shop and got the detachable + tow assist upgrade and new loom for 1200. Reversing while trailing never been so easy.

9th Apr 2025 2:35pm

farmtruck

Member Since: 08 Apr 2025
Location: Scotland
Posts: 9

Thanks that's helpful. Who fitted yours? I got price from Buchans towbars.

9th Apr 2025 3:29pm

Crazymind

Member Since: 11 Jun 2024
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 242

Carntyne Towbar centre. Not far from Buchans. Buchans is the official Land Rover tow bar fitting shop.

9th Apr 2025 3:59pm

Landy240

Member Since: 22 Jul 2024
Location: Merseyside
Posts: 9

Re: Aftermarket tow bar - Defender 110 D300 2023

farmtruck wrote:
Hi folks

Since Land Rover want an absurd 1800 quid to fit a basic flanged tow bar and the local tow bar place will do the same for around 800 I'm very tempted to go for the local place, who claim they will "code" the wiring modules so that they communicate with the pivipro system.

My question is: has anyone fitted an aftermarket bar and were they successful in getting the screen tow functions to work? By this I mean disabling rear parking sensors during towing and allowing the camera option of looking down on the ball when hitching. I don't need the fancy reversing assist function as I can do that. Are there any other functions? It's unclear from reading around whether or not the trailer stability assist needs to be activated or if it is on by default.

Many thanks

Yes I have (fitted an aftermarket towbar) No I haven't managed to get all functions to work.

The towbar was fitted for around the price you quoted. The fitting company also promised to 'code' the modules but then failed to do so - they advertise this service on their website but after installing the towbar said that they were unable to code JLR products as they didn't have the software.

PM me if you want to make sure you are not dealing with the same company.

I have since enabled functions on PIVI using a local LR specialist with a G4 tool. So now I can see a towing page on PIVI so that side is OK...BUT...the car does not recognise when a trailer is plugged in. I suspect that this is because the module is 'one way' so the trailer knows it is plugged into the car and will display light signals etc but not the other way round. The car does not know there is a tow..therefore trailer stability assist and all the other functions will not work..

I think I need to source a genuine JLR module and replace.

JLR dealer will not assist if they did not supply and fit the towbar. The irony is I actually specced a factory towbar (£750) on an order that was then cancelled.

What a

9th Apr 2025 10:54pm

Defendit..

Member Since: 09 Aug 2020
Location: 's-Hertogenbosch
Posts: 442

There is a new towing module, smaller and cheaper ( but whitout the electronic sidesteps )

https://britcar.com/product.php/704100/549...er_2020_on No Mud flaps for my 90.!
-----------------------------------------
P300S MY21 Keswick Green on air, adv.+ offroad pack, DRL+fog, Dinamica Suedecloth + Ebony headliner/Cross Beam- Many Mods..

10th Apr 2025 7:09am

Moo

Member Since: 01 Oct 2021
Location: UK
Posts: 1469

I had a Tow Trust fixed tow bar fitted including electrics for £650. Worked a treat and all functions on the car worked with it.

Eiger Grey MY23 D250 SE with bits. Known as Noddy.

10th Apr 2025 7:37am

farmtruck

Member Since: 08 Apr 2025
Location: Scotland
Posts: 9

Re: Aftermarket tow bar - Defender 110 D300 2023

Landy240 wrote:
farmtruck wrote:
Hi folks

Since Land Rover want an absurd 1800 quid to fit a basic flanged tow bar and the local tow bar place will do the same for around 800 I'm very tempted to go for the local place, who claim they will "code" the wiring modules so that they communicate with the pivipro system.

My question is: has anyone fitted an aftermarket bar and were they successful in getting the screen tow functions to work? By this I mean disabling rear parking sensors during towing and allowing the camera option of looking down on the ball when hitching. I don't need the fancy reversing assist function as I can do that. Are there any other functions? It's unclear from reading around whether or not the trailer stability assist needs to be activated or if it is on by default.

Many thanks

Yes I have (fitted an aftermarket towbar) No I haven't managed to get all functions to work.

The towbar was fitted for around the price you quoted. The fitting company also promised to 'code' the modules but then failed to do so - they advertise this service on their website but after installing the towbar said that they were unable to code JLR products as they didn't have the software.

PM me if you want to make sure you are not dealing with the same company.

I have since enabled functions on PIVI using a local LR specialist with a G4 tool. So now I can see a towing page on PIVI so that side is OK...BUT...the car does not recognise when a trailer is plugged in. I suspect that this is because the module is 'one way' so the trailer knows it is plugged into the car and will display light signals etc but not the other way round. The car does not know there is a tow..therefore trailer stability assist and all the other functions will not work..

I think I need to source a genuine JLR module and replace.

JLR dealer will not assist if they did not supply and fit the towbar. The irony is I actually specced a factory towbar (£750) on an order that was then cancelled.

What a !

Bad luck, hope you get it sorted somehow. Some places talk about using a Land Rover genuine towbar wiring harness vs a generic one, which has communication problems apparently. Sounds like it is very dependent on the fitters. I'll interrogate them a bit harder before proceeding! Many thanks for all the helpful comments.

11th Apr 2025 1:12pm

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