STRANGE BUT TRUE I COULD NEED A D4 tow hitch

[wardh]

Hi to all you fellow d3/4/rrs owners, I have not posted for quite some as I have not had any issues with the D3 and life has been rather hectic.

But the good times are about to start and the open road beckons.

Some may remember I own a D3 coiler with 2" lift and heavy duty rear springs. I have a off road caravan with a high tow point and will be using Hayman Reese WDH leveling because of the spring suspension.

I currently have the plough which will give me the hight I require but requires the Hayman to be in its top hole setting and of course still the old clearance issue, also after seeing the snapped one in the other post it is a concern.

I could use a Mitch Hitch but then the whole assembly would protrude much to far out from the rear of the vehicle.

So the compromise for me could be the shorter new D4 style hitch. Your comments and own experience would be appreciated.
Thanks

Howard

[rednib]

Special Tow hitch
Howard maybe my earlier post on this subject as below helps

OK guys it took me some time but I finally can say that I made and fitted my own hitch based upon an "other" design. Thanks for all the answers.
I welded a square tube onto an existing hitch.(the [mechanical] stabilizer bar arrangement is not used) cut the square tube top and bottom sides off which provided me then with the U shaped part at the end
that fits over the lug. Turned a ring with a hole in it, that fits into the lug. Then turned a pin to fit through the lug with two secure pins on each side. Sounds maybe all a bit complicated but the photos should give you a better impression.
Then went onto a three week test drive and all is well (that's why it took so long to post again) any questions please ask maybe I can help.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/d3-d4-rrs/39753d1317687882t-mitchell-tow-hitch-resized_img_3223.jpg (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/d3-d4-rrs/39753d1317687882-mitchell-tow-hitch-resized_img_3223.jpg)

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/d3-d4-rrs/39754d1317687914t-mitchell-tow-hitch-resized_img_3216.jpg (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/d3-d4-rrs/39754d1317687914-mitchell-tow-hitch-resized_img_3216.jpg)

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/d3-d4-rrs/39755d1317687944t-mitchell-tow-hitch-resized_img_3217.jpg (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/d3-d4-rrs/39755d1317687944-mitchell-tow-hitch-resized_img_3217.jpg)

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/d3-d4-rrs/39756d1317687979t-mitchell-tow-hitch-resized_img_3220.jpg (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/d3-d4-rrs/39756d1317687979-mitchell-tow-hitch-resized_img_3220.jpg)

[wardh]

Thanks rednib

That is a innovative design and idea, I see that it is based on the later shorter hitch which is what I am after to improve ground clearance and reduce leverage forces on the old plough style hitch.

To give me an idea of the clearance improvement using the D4 hitch. What is the measurement from the center of the box section on the hitch where the WDH fits, to the top of the wedge shape on the D4 hitch, or simpler if known how much shorter is the new style hitch than the plough

Thanks

[wardh]

This is how the hitch looks connected to the earlier style plough hitch. as you can see to obtain the height required the added distance between the pin and the ball is excessive and I would imagine the increase in leverage and added forces could be a concern, particularly in light of the post showing the snapped hitch.

If a Mitch Hitch was fitted this would cure the height issue and the pull would be in a straight line, but because the Mitch Hitch already protrudes out from the rear bumper and the length of the Hayman WDH, the overall length connected this way could be to long.

It seems obtaining a newer style hitch and adopting rednibs modification could be the answer. Life wasn't meant to be easy.

Howard