That plug...

[Robocop]

Recently as in days ago had a 5 wheel rotation done.. I only ever keep the tow hitch in when in use then keep it in the back or in the garage. I could have sworn the red plug that goes in place of the hitch was there before the rotation but now it's gone. Now that I think about it, the chance if it falling out when the spare is lowered is pretty high, but it's not at the shop.. Are these hard to come by or just a useless plastic plug?

Cheers Rob

[bbyer]

I see the protective cap on eBay Australia per below. I guess it keeps dirt out and I assume LR thinks it is important. There is a hole inside that can fill up and then would make it difficult for the locking pin to engage.

KNG500013 Land Rover Discovery 3 Tow Bar Blank Bung | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/KNG500013-Land-Rover-Discovery-3-Tow-Bar-Blank-Bung-/290570492853)

[jonesy63]

I had one of those fall out too on my D4. Never happened on my D3. Oh well, time to buy another.

[jonesy63]

BTW, they are $9 from your local LR dealer - but have to order in from warehouse in Melbourne. Beats waiting for it to arrive from the other side of the world.

[jonesfam]

I lost mine the first time of the bitchumen, I've never replaced it.
I do get up the tow hitch thingy with a water blaster every 3rd or 4th wash though.
Jonesfam

[Stuart02]

Mine never stayed in after the first removal, and is gone now... Something so shoddy would be expensive if it were $9 for a 10 pack!

Must be a better way...

[Robocop]

Just keep the hitch in I guess. It doesn't hang out so no busted shins when walking behind the D4.

[Graeme]

.. every 3rd or 4th wash though.
Mine's not due for its 3rd wash until the end of the year so probably just as well the hitch is permanently fitted.

[Mike_S]

I didn't bother with it after swapping the bar in and out a few times, eventually left the bar in place for a few months and forgot about the red plug. Then I couldn't get the bar out, so left it some more and eventually, my service chappie got it off last month. Apparently the mud in the socket had set into the locking mechanism / pin of the bar and helped seize it all up, so he'd had to chisel out the lock to break into it all. Cost me a new locking mechanism.

So, perhaps it is there for a reason :p

[Graeme]

I found my lock stuck after being unused for 18 months but some WD40 for a couple of days then some gentle tapping freed it. My intention is to R&R it every 6 months or so but it will probably stick again and nened more WD40 etc.

[unseenone]

First one was lost, 2nd one kept falling out on the garage floor. Finally it was permanently lost in the garage rather than on the road somewhere... nice idea, crap design.

[Mike_S]

I found my lock stuck after being unused for 18 months but some WD40 for a couple of days then some gentle tapping freed it. My intention is to R&R it every 6 months or so but it will probably stick again and nened more WD40 etc.

Yeah, WD40 wasn't man enough for the job. I guess the mixture of mud & road salt buggered it up completely. Still, it's in the boot of the car now ready for use when it gets here (not that it meets ADR's of course so it'll only come out for lightweight trailers)