LR# w/ out Tow Package - can I get

[jbrockiii]

I'm looking at a LR3 that evidently doesn't have the tow package- unscrewed the plastic part on the bumper and only a tow hook is there. Can a dealer swap out and put tow package in?

How much- anyone know?

Thanks.

 

[BoiseLR3]

Look underneath the bumper in that same location. There should be a red plastic plug. If so you should be able to add the LR3 hitch. I am unsure if all LR3's are setup to take the LR proprietary hitch. Anyway, you remove the plug and insert the hitch. The plastic cover you removed just exposes the rear recovery point.

Now, here is the fun part. The hitch will set you back anywhere from $250 on up not including the wiring. It is a specially designed piece that looks like this: http://i5.pbase.com/v3/03/596903/1/49374327.CRW_4330.jpg

 

[jbrockiii]

Thanks for the information!

 

[nwoods]

Buy the hitch assembly off of EBay, as you will get a much better price for it. Please note: There is a SEPARATE towing harness that you will also need.

 

[jbrockiii]

Ah, having had a pickup truck for a year and having been out of the Rover family for a bit, it's refreshing to recall how expensive every little part and accessory is. If I buy this truck, this will be my 4th LR.

If I'm understanding correctly, every and any LR3 can be fitted with the tow package. Right? I have a 4wheeler and need to haul it back and forth to hunting camp and a farm.

Thanks.

 

[nwoods]

If I'm understanding correctly, every and any LR3 can be fitted with the tow package. Right? I have a 4wheeler and need to haul it back and forth to hunting camp and a farm.

Thanks.

I'm not a dealer or service tech, so take this with a grain of salt, but I think your assumption is a safe one. I have a base model LR3 and it has the receiver apparatus that the tow hitch assembly clips onto. Every LR3 I have looked at (over a dozen) has been the same way, from Base to HSE and in between. Now having said that, someone will for SURE post here and prove me wrong

 

[Alyssa]

Yes, every single LR3 can have the receiver added. It is approx $375 at the dealer. It isn't even a factory option any more (hasn't been since the middle of 2005). Wiring will also be needed for a trailer. (Some people just use the hitch for a bike rack).

 

[jbrockiii]

Thanks for the info.

 

[jbrockiii]

Just got it put on and almost had a heart attack when they showed me the bill. $900+ for all parts and instillation.

This is the funkiest looking hitch I've ever seen, and it seems awfully low to the ground. Leave it to the Brit's to design something like this. However, it's really a rather cleaver set up, with the diffent ball sizes you can switch out and the quick release, etc. The whole hitch weighs a ton.

The Land Rover design guys took a simple tool, a hitch to haul stuff, and way complicated it.

 

[Amm134]

Just got it put on and almost had a heart attack when they showed me the bill. $900+ for all parts and instillation.

Good info, did they breakout the $900 in detail on the invoice..?

I'm wondering if thats something better off included in the price of a new vehicle as opposed to paying for as an add on after delivery.

Thanks.

 

[jbrockiii]

I got another dealership to install (not a LR dealership) because I don't have one close. However, I got all the parts from dealership and this local dealer installed for $150. The expense is all the parts.

It would be nice if all rovers came with tow packages, but I guess this is a way for LR to save money and pass on cheaper vehicle to the customer?? I'm assuming that a very large percentage of LR buyers never tow anything and therefor never need to install tow package. LR certainly could have made a tow package much much cheaper.

 

[noreserve]

I was curious what the dealer would charge, so I e-mailed the service department at Gwinnett Land Rover here in Atlanta. You can save some money by getting one off E-Bay. If you install the wiring harness, you save even more. Anyhow, here is a snippet of the dealer's response...

The tow hitch receiver for your vehicle is $352.79 and has no installation charge associated. However, the trailer wiring harness ( i.e. light kit ) would cost you an additional $181.33 and $123.50 for installation.

 

[expectthebest]

How in the world can it cost $123 for a wiring harness installation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[nwoods]

Well, you have to lay down and actually get under the truck....

 

[noreserve]

How in the world can it cost $123 for a wiring harness installation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No idea. I haven't looked at the installation instructions. It's probably a piece of cake, but the dealer is going to charge you for anything they can. I will do mine myself though. That labor rate means that it's taking the dealer over an hour.

 

[dlane]

How in the world can it cost $123 for a wiring harness installation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I installed mine. It takes the dealer about an hour and a half. It took me about two and a half. Just becuase you have to figure out the 'picture only' instructions. You have to pull the left tail light out to feed the wiring harness up into the cabin. There is a plugin block that you have to find in the storage cubby on the left. It is well tucked up in there and tied in with a wire tie. You have to cut the tie and pull it down to plug it in. It is not hard.

Dave.

 

[jwhcars]

Great information-I got all my questions answered and I never even had to ask.