Future New Defender Buyers: For the sake of all of us in the used Defender pool down the road…please please just tick the box on the Tow Hitch Receiver. It is just a few hundred bucks. Even if you do not need it personally it will definitely pay off and expose you to TWICE the buyer market if you later decide to sell privately. The dealer will consider during a trade-in as well. Just get it and be done with it.
I cannot tell you how many used Defenders I have looked at online that met all my specs…except…they didn’t have a tow hitch. Instant rejection for me.

As you can see from the previous posts, if you don’t order from factory it is a giant and expensive PITA to install later. An SUV of this caliber and size absolutely should have a tow hitch.

JLR: Just provide the Tow Hitch as a Standard option. Save us all some headache.

Dealers: when sitting with a client during the order process, explain to them the downsides of Not getting the Tow Hitch receiver.

While we are at it…tick the box for the Meridian Surround (not just Meridian) sound system. It is like $750 more…but sounds SO much better. Several audiophile reviews on YouTube describing the difference. $750 is cheap upgrade for a much better sound system. Again, an instant rejection for me if no Surround sound.

I have considered just ordering a new one myself, but am a Dave Ramsey fan and cannot tolerate a 20-25% depreciation in the first year of ownership of any new car (except Toyota and Lexus).
With love

 

I agree about buying new vs used making that mistake many times. I did not do enough research regarding a hitch thought it was standard!

I ended up purchasing an LR4 and modding it to my needs for work/hauling! Wife wasn't to keen on me using Defender for work. Win win?

 

I can't argue with anything you said. However, in my case, back in late 2020, I was on a wait list to order my Defender. I finally was able to place an order in mid-2021 on what was then a 2022 model. At that time, I was told that due to shortages of tow bars it would likely delay my order by several more months if I checked that box. I took delivery in Aug 2021 sans hitch and haven't looked back. Do I wish I had a hitch? Absolutely. I've been looking for reasonably priced alternatives ever since. But after over a year of waiting when you've made up you mind on a cool new vehicle, the thought of having to wait an additional 6 months was unbearable. Call me impatient. Oh, but I did check that Meridian Surround box...

 

$300+ per hour based on a book rate that assumes complications (which they charge you for again if they actually occur).

 

As @D-Fens pointed out, just get all the gear yourself from Lucky8. You already have the Gap tool, so that's the "magic" taken care of. The rest of it is just a straight forward (or as straight forward as anything is with these beasts) install. May also want to pick up the towing cut-out from PowerfulUk (Link).

Me? If I had to add one, I would DEFINITELY try to find a way to install the EU spec tow bar. Deployable tow hitch!

 

Did you end up getting the u haul? I just bought a 2025 defender - the car available on the lot was without a tow hitch. Thought it’d be an easy after market install but boy was I in for a surprise. None of the hitch shops in Calgary have anything. U haul also says their hitch is for 2023 defender.

 

Once you figure all this out, you’ll then need to install a brake controller (not included w/OEM, Luck8, or others) to take advantage of the towing capacity. I installed REDARC which fits neatly in the Defender. You can buy from them directly or from Amazon (don’t forget the wiring harness).

 

We should have a sticky thread at the top of the page with advice like this for people considering buying a new Defender.

 

I strongly agree with the tow option. My MB has it. My LR doesn't. Aside from the saleability issue, the trailer hitch provides a great use: A step can be installed which makes it far easier to get to the far reaches of the cargo area. There are also bike racks made to fit into the trailer hitch.
As for surround sound, personally I love it and think it's worth getting. But many ppl never take their audio of talk channels.
Three other "options" (on a 2020 Discovery, anyway) that should be standard on any LR: power tilt/telescope steering wheel, seat memory and reverse tilt mirror. Far lesser vehicles come with these.

 

Basic S defender has reverse tilt mirrors (in menu) and seat memory.