Wife took the dog to the vets the other day. Car was parked for literally 15 minutes in a quiet lane just outside the town centre and on returning some had nicked my drop plate tow bar .

I know why now......its over £300 to replace!!!!

Its made even more annoying as the only reason why it was on the car and not in its little bag in the boot was that when it was installed at the dealer, the technician had broke the zip on the bag and its replacement was "in the post" .

My main gripe is however, why dont LR make these things with locks on like the detachable swan neck ones? The parts guy at my local dealer said it was a common occurance due to their scrap value and that I should use a little padlock instead of the split pin that secures the locating bolt. Has he seen how tiny the split pin is ? Its miniscule, and I cant imagine a padlock of that size being sufficient to stop a 3 year old, let alone some drug crazed "yoof"

Anyone got any more practical suggestions?
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'07 4.2 SC Cairns Blue, Ivory leather
22" Overfinch Supersports
Climate control windscreen, privacy glass, double glazing, rear DVD
Tow Pack

Until LR alter the product accordingly there is only one option, and that's to remove it when not in use.

The key lock is a good diea on the removable one, mine's on permanently, but I bet the locks are pretty primitive and could be picked by someone with enough knowledge or practice.
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Now: Range Rover Vogue TD6, JE Stage 1. Tonga

*Gone: Range Rover Sport Supercharged 4.2V8
*Gone: BMW M5 5.0V8
*Gone: Subaru Imprezza Turbo

The only problem with the key lock on the swan neck one is, if you have a look how the swan neck holder is connected to the subframe under the car you'll see its just a bolt with a split pin!

ie all a thief does is remove the split pin and nick the whole assembly

Needless to say Im not going to leave mine in ever again whilst Im not towing, but it does raise some security issues when you're hitched up as the tow bar (and therefore the trailer) can be detached from the car very easily even with a lockable draw-bar handle.
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'07 4.2 SC Cairns Blue, Ivory leather
22" Overfinch Supersports
Climate control windscreen, privacy glass, double glazing, rear DVD
Tow Pack

Could you fit a different bolt with a larger hole to take a padlock?

I'm not au fait with the FFRR tow bar set up, but would it be possible?
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Big bad boss man

Do you want to buy one im taking delivery of my SC vogue next week and dont want the tow bar?

Always some on eBay, I think its about £115 from a dealer, at least thats what I was told when I had my RR Sport.
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Now: Range Rover Vogue TD6, JE Stage 1. Tonga

*Gone: Range Rover Sport Supercharged 4.2V8
*Gone: BMW M5 5.0V8
*Gone: Subaru Imprezza Turbo

no there much more than that from LR, if you look on eBay second hand tow bars for the sport alone go for £165-190 , theres a few on there now for that. Plus im getting rid of the the towbar and bracket etc

Genuine Land Rover tow bar kits have ALWAYS been a rip off since the early 1980's. My dad would always have to ask for when each time he changed cars and it was always about £1500 for a simple version, a total con. There has to be cheaper alternatives that do the job.

When I had my first LR, a 1979 S3 I bought a towball from halfords for £15, bolted it onto the rear crossmember and away I went!
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Now: Range Rover Vogue TD6, JE Stage 1. Tonga

*Gone: Range Rover Sport Supercharged 4.2V8
*Gone: BMW M5 5.0V8
*Gone: Subaru Imprezza Turbo

I can confirm that both the drop plate and the swan neck type towbars are over £300 from landrover. I got mine discounted by 10% if I recall and it still came to around £330!!
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'07 4.2 SC Cairns Blue, Ivory leather
22" Overfinch Supersports
Climate control windscreen, privacy glass, double glazing, rear DVD
Tow Pack