Fitting a Mitchell Hitch to D3

[Brewn]

Hi everyone,
I am looking for assistance for fitting a Mitchell Bros Hitch to a Discovery 3.
I have no problems with actually fitting the hitch but how do you remove the parking sensors to rotate them the ¼ turn so they don’t pick up the hitch?
Also removing the rear plastic bumper, how is that done?
If anyone can help it would be much appreciated.

[daj]

Brewn,

I didn't bother rotating the inside sensors when I fitted my Mitch Hitch. A simpler solution is to buy a six-pack of clear, self-adhesive, 19mm PRO-TEC-TORS disks (#23123) from Bunnings and stick a 1/2 disk (just cut one in half with a Stanley knife etc) on each inside sensor nearest to the hitch. The 1/2 disks block the ultrasonic beams to the hitch but still allow the exposed halves of the sensors to operate normally. Thoroughly clean the sensors before fitting the 1/2 disks.

This fix has been operating perfectly on my D3 for well over a year.

[shining]

Worked for me too!

[Disco4SE]

Like the sticky disc idea from Bunnings. When I had the D3 it took me several goes to get the right angle........kept rotating the sensors until they were just right. What a bugger of a job.
Cheers, Craig

[pm80]

I have not tried the Bunnings idea. I have used a product called "Butyl" tape. We tried a few other things and they either did nothing or set the sensors off all the time. That stuff from Bunnings must be made from the same kind of material? Go with it because Butyl tape is not cheap to buy a roll of and you only need 2 inches of the stuff.

[CaverD3]

Rotating the sensors is a bit of a pain but you do not need to remove the bumper cover, just undo the screws at the bottom and pull it outwards.
It is easer if you have someone to help as they can hold the bumper skin out while you rotate the sensors. You will need to cut a small notch in the sensor surround to refit the sensor in its new position.

[shining]

It continues to work well after 18 months. Also I only used a semi circle to shield the towbar side. Someone with the knowledge might care to comment but my guess is anything that adheres to the sensor and doesn't leave an airgap and is sufficiently dense to attenuate the signal seems to work. My bumper is black so it would also be interesting to hear if someone with a colour coded bumper has had success with clear disks. Note; after using a pressure washer I was getting and error on the sensors probably due to water getting into the "gap".

[101RRS]

Just be aware that the outside sensors only have a range of about 2 feet where the inner ones have a range of about 6 feet. I have blocked my centre ones and nearly backed into a couple of things that slipped between the outer sensors.

In due course I will be removing the covers and rotating mine.

Garry

[Garry]

I am attempting this fix today but first attempt was a no go

can someone plese post some pics for reference please?

Garry

[disco_driver]

19mm PRO-TEC-TORS disks (#23123) from Bunnings .

What are these things and where would I find them? Do I simply ask for product #23123?

I installed the Mitchell Bros Hitch today and found that the parking sensors have been affected.

What are people doing about the plastic molding that coers the hole in the bar? Are they modifying it or leaving as is? Any insights from anyone?

[disco_driver]

Photos of the disks woudl be very appreciated. :cool:

[101RRS]

What are people doing about the plastic molding that coers the hole in the bar? Are they modifying it or leaving as is? Any insights from anyone?

I assume you mean the cover that hides the tow point and electrical sockets. I cut mine in two and trimmed the center part so that they still clip in on the outside and the inside bits fit behind the hitch - looks original.

Garry

[disco_driver]

I assume you mean the cover that hides the tow point and electrical sockets. I cut mine in two and trimmed the center part so that they still clip in on the outside and the inside bits fit behind the hitch - looks original.

Garry


Ah Yes. That's what i was hoping to do but I wasn't sure if they woudl still clip in place if I do that. Thanks for confirming.

[101RRS]

A pic of a disco with covers on and a pic of my RRS with a 10c coin covering the passenger side rear park sensor - the right one just has the velco on the sensor that I attach a 10c coin to also - works fine but the when the velcro gets wet the sensors can sound. I just use velco dots and painted the 10c coins black.


Garry

[disco_driver]

A pic of a disco with covers on and a pic of my RRS with a 10c coin covering the passenger side rear park sensor - the right one just has the velco on the sensor that I attach a 10c coin to also - works fine but the when the velcro gets wet the sensors can sound. I just use velco dots and painted the 10c coins black.


Garry

That certainly does cover the space nicely. The moulding still seems to fit in place well. I'll have have a go at it tomorrow.

So do your outside sensors still work as normal?

[101RRS]

So do your outside sensors still work as normal?

They do but as I have indicated previous they only have a short range while the inners have a range of about 2m, so with the inners blocked you get close to things before they sound.

Garry

[CaverD3]

Garry, I know where you got that photo from. :D
The new hitch without the recovery eye looks good with the colour coded bumper.

The permanent solution is to rotate the sensors away from the hitch.

[101RRS]

Garry, I know where you got that photo from. :D
The new hitch without the recovery eye looks good with the colour coded bumper.

The permanent solution is to rotate the sensors away from the hitch.

Well not having a D3 I don't actually have any - if in doubt look at the makers site. With my car it is only the passenger site sensor that picks up the hitch but when the receiver is in both do.

I will be turning my sensors once I feel a little less lazy.

[CaverD3]

I will be turning my sensors once I feel a little less lazy.

It takes a while and is easier with help.

The first photo was my D3. I recognise it from the tabs added to the twist connectors on the cover. :angel:

[101RRS]

The first photo was my D3. I recognise it from the tabs added to the twist connectors on the cover. :angel:

Its on the Mitch Hitch site.

[daj]

disco_driver, is this what you want?

The sensor range is approx. 2m directly behind the vehicle.

[CaverD3]

Its on the Mitch Hitch site.

I know, who do you you think came up with the idea for the hitch? and rotating the sensors? :whistling:

[disco_driver]

disco_driver, is this what you want?

The sensor range is approx. 2m directly behind the vehicle.


Awesome. Thank you.

So you think that the reversing sensors will still work in this configuration?

[disco_driver]

disco_driver, is this what you want?

The sensor range is approx. 2m directly behind the vehicle.


Oops sorry,

I just noticed the second part of your post. :(

[disco_driver]

I thought I had found some instruction on how to rotate the sensors. Can't seem to find them now. I want to try and determine how hard/easy they are to do before I decide whether to go down this path or whether to use the Pro-Tec-tors ( seems very easy. ) Anyone know where to find them?

[CaverD3]

To rotate the sensors you need to undo the bottom of the bumper and pull it outwards. It is easier to work if you have someone to hold it while you work.
The sensors are in separate surrounds these need to be removed from the back of the bumper skin.
You need to rotate the sensors away from the hitch by about 70-75 degrees.
You will need to cut a notch in the bumper to accomodate the tab on the surround.

It is easier if you completely remove the bumper but you don't need to.

DISCO4.COM - View topic - Towing Hitch (http://www.disco4.com/forum/topic10853.html)

[Adam]

I realise this is an old thread, but wanted to say thanks for the advice. I fitted a Mitch Hitch to my D3, found the parking sensor problem, and searched AULRO for a solution. Imagine my surprise when the suggestion was half a sticky plastic disc from Bunnings.
Very happy to have my parking sensors back, for the cost of a sticky plastic disc. And I have plenty of spares.

Cheap, cheerful, and practical.

A bit like me really.

Thanks for the help.
Very happy customer.