Extended tow neck for D4

[SteveL]

We tow an Ultimate camper with our D4 and I have had an extended neck made up to ensure proper and level tow height.
I decided against the Mitch hitch.
With the Treg hitch pin in and all ready to roll the pin clears the tailgate by about 5mm's.
My mates all stand around shaking their heads at this neck but I cannot see what the problem is.
Essentially I have welded some very heavy (formed up from) mild steel and welded it onto a 6mm walled square steel tube. The tube is the exact length of the hitch. The riser part of the hitch probably comes up 6 inches (sorry!) above the standard ball height. The weld will never break.
I suppose I'm thinking about the forces in effect in any sort of emergency and that is certainly what my mates think, but the engineer who helped me make this up insists it's as good as any proprietary made neck and is better built. He makes semi trailers for a living.
It just doesn't have an engineers stamp or certification on it.I guess Insurance issues will be the biggy in the event of any "unpleasantness".
Any thoughts anyone?
Regards
Steve L.

[Graeme]

Will the safety chains prevent the trailer coupling from dragging on the ground in the event of a coupling misadventure?

[SteveL]

Will the safety chains prevent the trailer coupling from dragging on the ground in the event of a coupling misadventure?
Yes Graeme, that side of it is all 100%. I'm actually pretty comfy with this but suppose that it might be an insurance issue if there is ever a problem.
This AuLro resource is fantastic.
Regards
Steve

[BigJon]

Can you show us a picture of the neck extension? The problem I can forsee is one of leverage.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/05/1351.jpg

[101RRS]

If any part of your standard tow arrangement has been modified it will have to be certified. If you use it as is, your vehicle will be considered unroadworthy when towing and as such may be grounds for rejecting an insurance claim.

For $650 I would have put a Mitch Hitch on. Considering the price of your vehicle and trailer the cost of doing the hitch properly instead of a backyard job is minimal.

Garry