Tow Bar Height - Can the tongue be flipped?

[Jay70]

Hi All,

Over the past 2 years I have amassed a small collection of tow bar options for the various combinations of Camper Trailers, Off Road Caravans, etc that I have towed.

Now with the new 2.7 D4 in the garage for the past month and the Jayco 18.57-9 Outback version on order I will again need a new height no doubt. However this time I think only fine tuning will be needed i.e. flipping the tow bar tongue 180 degrees. Is this condoned and if so does it impact the load ratings at all?

Thanks

Jason

[sniegy]

On the D4 only the tow tongue is designed to be used both ways.

Cheers

[ADMIRAL]

Hi All,

Over the past 2 years I have amassed a small collection of tow bar options for the various combinations of Camper Trailers, Off Road Caravans, etc that I have towed.

Now with the new 2.7 D4 in the garage for the past month and the Jayco 18.57-9 Outback version on order I will again need a new height no doubt. However this time I think only fine tuning will be needed i.e. flipping the tow bar tongue 180 degrees. Is this condoned and if so does it impact the load ratings at all?

Thanks

Jason

I understand it reduces the rating if flipped in Europe. If you are using Hayman Reese lugs/tongues in Australia, they have the same rating either way up.

[mowog]

I use a rapid hitch to set different heights for the tow ball. I sent part of my hitch to the makers of the McHitch to get a pin made to suit their trailer system.

Titan Trailer Brakes - Rapid Hitch (http://www.titanbrakes.com.au/rapid_hitch.php)

Rapid Hitch

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/01/889.jpg

McHitch (Via McHitch site)

http://www.mchitch.com.au/images/stories/photos_full_size/Dsc00652.jpg

[Magraith]

Hi all,
I am another one that needs a little more height from my tow ball for the MY10 RRS.

The Hayman Reece tongue supplied had the ball ready to mount so I assumed the bend down position as a starting point, however now that I have tested the trailer and need the extra height I am keen to flip it..

Any others with similar experience would put my mind at ease.

Also very interested to hear/see your storage ideas for all the towing bits, as it is a struggle to fit it in the standard boot foam compartments.

current mounting orientation below

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=47061&stc=1&d=1337515317

Thanks

[33chinacars]

You could check with HR but I'm sure the answer will be Flip it
Just got another one for my L322. Its going upside down.

Gary

[Fatso]

Flipped mine to tow my Jayco hawk outback and no promblems at all.

[discotwinturbo]

I flipped too.
All good here.
Brett....

[Magraith]

Thanks All,

CONFIRMED by LR today....all good to flip.

How about stowage? Do you all stow the towing kit on board or in the garage?

[PaulGOz]

I have a Mitchell bros hitch receiver and have flipped the hitch with a tregg hitch on top of that gives very good clearance and keeps trailer level with about 20mm lower at front to rear.

[sniegy]

Thanks All,

CONFIRMED by LR today....all good to flip.

How about stowage? Do you all stow the towing kit on board or in the garage?

The tow kit should of come with a black pouch to stow the tongue, clip & pin away, it should also have a carabiner clip that can attach to the tie down points in your load space area. The hitch slots into its holder in the l/h/s cubby box.

Don't just leave either the hitch or tongue by itself in the load space & they can become a missile in the event of an accident.

If you know that you are not going to use it, then leave it in the garage :)

Cheers

Sent from my iPad using Forum Runner

[Magraith]

Thanks Sniegy..yep pouch and all part of the pack...have managed to play TETRIS in the rear boot foam storage area under the hatch and stow the tongue and ball which is great..however the hitch is slightly bulkier so just trying to find a good spot. Will have to check out the cubby..think i have one on the drivers side. Rather not leave it behind...as the time you need it....its left behind. Cheers.

[stray dingo]

Thanks Sniegy..yep pouch and all part of the pack...have managed to play TETRIS in the rear boot foam storage area under the hatch and stow the tongue and ball which is great..however the hitch is slightly bulkier so just trying to find a good spot. Will have to check out the cubby..think i have one on the drivers side. Rather not leave it behind...as the time you need it....its left behind. Cheers.

I lost at the tetris game on the weekend. It's in there, but I don't think as it was intended to fit :D. I did also fit the tow ball bit the cubby though (no carabiner on mine) quite easily

[sniegy]

have managed to play TETRIS in the rear boot foam storage area under the hatch and stow the tongue and ball which is great..however the hitch is slightly bulkier so just trying to find a good spot. Will have to check out the cubby..
Magraith, do you have the 5 seat Discovery? or a Sport. This sounds like you have stowed the tongue/ball under the hatch section in the rear. ??
If this is so, then everything can be stowed in that section.
The Hitch, stows at the forward(towards the front passenger)section of the L/H/S compartment. The tongue Depending on module can be fitted in the middle section where there is a rather large squarish section (would hold the first aid kit in Europe), if required for the D3 you can just cut a bit out so the tongue will fit neatly.

Cheers

[Magraith]

RRS SPORT.....yep spot on under the rear hatch with the jack etc. May have to make some mods as you suggest..to fit it all.

Love to see a pic if anyone has one available of your rear storage area..

[RHS58]

New owner here.
Had a fiddle with the LR D4 tow hitch receiver.
Feeling ripped off - didn't get a pouch for mine:(
Just held in place in the LHR cubby hole by a cam buckle strap, still wobbles a bit too. Packed around it with an old towel and snug now. At least this gives me something to wipe it down with before putting it away.
(Also need to sort out the electrics for the LED trailer light issue - plenty of other threads to read in that regard)
And brake controller.....

[AnD3rew]

As I have a cargo barrier I now very rarely use the third row seats, so I flip over the second row seats and there is a space behind there and under the folded third seat bases and I stow my tow hitches and stuff under there.

[JayBee75]

On the D4 only the tow tongue is designed to be used both ways.

Cheers

Hi Guys,

Don't want to get shot down here, but I have a friend who works for Hayman Reese and has told me they are not engineered to be flipped?....... reduces the load rating considerably.

Also have a mate who works for Frontline, says the same thing.

Maybe it is just ok for LR D4's? Who manufactures them?

Again did not want to get shot down, just putting it out there what i have been told by two separate tow ball manufacturers at the source.

Cheers

[sniegy]

JayBee, Not sure who makes them, but the instructions clearly say the "Tongue" can be used both ways. LR wouldn't say this in the instruction if it wasn't so.
If you are around drop in & will give you a copy.

Cheers

[sniegy]

Here is the Fitting Instructions.
(Hope this works)

Also note that this is an Accessory, Not standard with the Vehicle.

[RHS58]

What's so good about it that it costs around $250?

[LGM]

After reading all the posts in this thread I feel like a right goose!:o

When I picked up my 2011 disco there was no 'bag' with the accessory tow tongue but no matter. :(

Once I got home and found the tow position a tad too low I just flipped the tongue without a second thought and have been happily towing away for the last two plus years in blissful ignorance!:p

[4evershiva]

Can the tow bar be turned around to get better clearance in a 2009 D3 SE? Please see attached photo for reference.

[jimc]

4evershiva...I think you are very brave to think you can run any dynamic recovery load through the LR hitch.

Suggest you remove the plough and start using the recovery point between the 7 pin plugs. That point is rated for dynamic recovery loads.

Or fit a mitch hitch and it, but that transfers any loading directly to the same factory recovery point.

This advice may just save you a very serious accident.

[4evershiva]

Thanks jimc, but I was advised that the recovery point between the 7 pin plugs is not rated and could cause damage in the event of a recovery situation. I will get rid of the plough if the recovery point can be used. If you happen to say that the mitch hitch will transfer load to the factory recovery point then I won't get the mitch hitch as I don't intend on towing anything. I just need a recovery point put pull me out of muddy situation while doing offroad trips.

[SBD4]

Sage advice by jimc...

[discotwinturbo]

Thanks jimc, but I was advised that the recovery point between the 7 pin plugs is not rated and could cause damage in the event of a recovery situation. I will get rid of the plough if the recovery point can be used. If you happen to say that the mitch hitch will transfer load to the factory recovery point then I won't get the mitch hitch as I don't intend on towing anything. I just need a recovery point put pull me out of muddy situation while doing offroad trips.

Mitch hitch is not rated for recovery....the plaque actually states that it's for towing purposes only. The original Mitch hitch had a recovery point, but no longer part of it.

That said....I have used it a couple of times.

The factory ring is rated to the GCM for recovery purposes.

Definitely would not consider using the plow for recovery.

Brett.....

[4evershiva]

ok. so I can use the factory ring for recovery. the aftermarket mitch hitch is then purely for towing purpose with a much better clearance. is that right?

[SBD4]

yes you have got it.

[discotwinturbo]

ok. so I can use the factory ring for recovery. the aftermarket mitch hitch is then purely for towing purpose with a much better clearance. is that right?

Only thing is the factory ring is hidden as the Mitch hitch utilitizes it as one of the attachment points.

When I spoke to Mitch bros about it, around two years ago, they told me that they had done no testing as a recovery point...so would not rate it.

I think its perfectly strong enough, and so I am happy to use the Mitch hitch with a rated slide in recovery bracket....my choice and no guarantee it is safe for others to do so.

Brett....

[sniegy]

FAQ clearly states that the vehicle can use the recovery point between both tow plugs & is rated at approx 6+Tonne

Helps to read the FAQ before asking questions guys.

[4evershiva]

Hi Sniegy, did read the FAQ when I first got the car however, I was advised on the forum that they are not safe. U know that there is always lots of opinions, being a novice I simply listen to the gurus. I will get rid of the plough and use the recovery points now as long as its safe to do so. Thanks for all your inputs.

[JayBee75]

JayBee, Not sure who makes them, but the instructions clearly say the "Tongue" can be used both ways. LR wouldn't say this in the instruction if it wasn't so.
If you are around drop in & will give you a copy.

Cheers

Hi pete,

yeah I would assume its not a Aust based manufacturer like Hayman or Frontline.

BTW my car is in today at MLR, (2012 white HSE-black rims and black grille) should be picking it up 4-5pm say hi if you are around?
Jonathan.

[sniegy]

Hi JayBee,
Great to meet you, Good to put a face to a name.

The tongue is made in Australia.

All RAA*** Part Numbers are made in Australia.
RAA (Rover Australia Accessory)

Cheers

[theins]

Here is the Fitting Instructions.
(Hope this works)

Also note that this is an Accessory, Not standard with the Vehicle.


Thanks for providing the instructions - am somewhat confused now - as I called LR on Monday and was told that the tongue could not be flipped....


BTW - bought the standard LR tow tongue for a 2008 D3 a few years ago.


Cheers,


Thomas

[haydent]

Thanks for providing the instructions - am somewhat confused now - as I called LR on Monday and was told that the tongue could not be flipped....


BTW - bought the standard LR tow tongue for a 2008 D3 a few years ago.


Cheers,


Thomas

yes thank