Towball hitch fell out with van attached!

[Hamma]

Coming out of Rainbow Beach down a hill at 80+kph, the towball hitch that locks into the D3 dropped out of the car with the van attached. Managed to get everything stopped without incident, just glad I wasn't going around a corner.
Had just had it repaired after it happened a week ago, quite possibly locking mechanism damaged that first time. Very difficult to know if the hitch is fully locked in but thought we were good.
Still, upshot is I'll need a new one, or perhaps a good second hand. Any ideas as to where to start looking in Brisbane or should I just get on the phone?
Have been using a Hayman Reece set up as it made towing a 2.8t van much easier. May have been an error in hindsight...
any advice or help would be welcomed. Thanks.
Hamma

[AnD3rew]

This is the best solution

Mitchell Bros 4x4 & more - Online 4x4 Store - Discovery 3 Hi Rise Tow Hitch (http://store.mitchellbros.com.au/discovery-3-4-and-rrs/discovery-3-tow-hitch.html)

Or there is this one on Gumtree

Land Rover Tow Hitch | Other Parts & Accessories | Gumtree Australia Cairns City - Redlynch (http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/redlynch/other-parts-accessories/land-rover-tow-hitch/1009631783)

[Plane Fixer]

Did you have load levelers and is the car air or coil suspension????

[GuyG]

MR Automotive at Redcliffe might be able to help - 07 3284 6688

http://www.mrautomotive.com.au/

[oztruckdriver]

I have no idea how to post a "POST" can you help me ple:(ase

[THE BOOGER]

UUMM you put up a post do you mean how do you start a thread?:)

[mowog]

I have a D4 hitch make me an offer... I am in Brisbane. But your best bet is the Mitchell Brothers hitch.

[mervwho]

Mitchell Brothers Hitch. Best money you will ever spend, safe and secure by far. Just watch your shins when you walk around the back of your car after you have it fitted...

[CaverD3]

I would get onto LR they are aware there is an issue. VOSA in UK are looking at it too.
There is a thread on DISCO4.COM - Index (http://www.disco4.com)

[roamer]

I have an unwanted Mitch hitch on the Sunshinecoast
PM me if your interested

Cheers Ken

[Hamma]

Air suspension, hadn't had any dramas until now, in fact the 2.8t van towed noticeably better with load levelers attached. However, am aware of LR issues with load levelers, and probably would have got a Mitchell had I known what I know now.
Came through Nambour today, picked up an as new hitch; won't use levelers again, and will not tow anything of this size with my D3 ever again once I get home in 6 weeks unless I shell out for the Mitchells.
Thanks to all for your advice. Very ####### scary situation.
Hamma

[Hamma]

Thanks Ken, will roll dice again as only needing it to last for 6 more weeks, and won't use levelers (not that I think they were the problem in the first place).
Hamma

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Hi Hamma

I don't know about you, but I rather think the engineers at Land Rover would have reasons to advise against the use of load levellers in electronic air suspension. After all the EAS will level the car itself without the levellers and will continue to counteract yaw and roll, something that the bars can't do.

Diana

[mowog]

I tow a 3500kg van with a ball weight of 320kg without any issues. I have towed this van on went and at times icey mountain roads on open highways and dusty dirt back roads. I have seen my trailer stability control at work. But not once did my rig ever feel unstable. Most of that was with the Land Rover plough fitted. I now have Mitchell Bros hitch and the van Tows even better.

I would suggest your use of a WDH could have overloaded the LR hitch. The forces involved can be very high.

[TerryO]

I tow a 3500kg van with a ball weight of 320kg without any issues. I have towed this van on went and at times icey mountain roads on open highways and dusty dirt back roads. I have seen my trailer stability control at work. But not once did my rig ever feel unstable. Most of that was with the Land Rover plough fitted. I now have Mitchell Bros hitch and the van Tows even better.

I would suggest your use of a WDH could have overloaded the LR hitch. The forces involved can be very high.


I think we all pretty much gree that the standard D3 hitch is rubbish and what Mowog says is correct, WDH's can put immense forces on the things they are attached to, not just the tug but the van as well.

Just look at how many A frame's get snapped off of the front of vans that have WDH's fitted and usually it is because they are adjusted incorrectly.

Most of the old timers on Caravan sites will rave on about how good WDH's are and how stupid you are if you don't use one, but few will highlight the various problems they can cause.

I to use a Mitch Hitch on our D3 and they make towing a van a much more enjoyable and safer experience, in part because I don't worry that the van might fall off of the back as I did with the standard hitch.

cheers,
Terry

[Hamma]

My take on all of this is that I created the problem by reversing into a tight spot with the WDH in place and getting the safety chains caught on the LR hitch. Up until that point I had had no more problems with the airbag system than I'd had before we ever attempted to tow anything ie. three compressors!!!
I won't attach the WDH again, I quite probably never needed to, and I understand LR's perspective, but I will maintain that it felt better towing a 2.8t van at speed with it than without it.
At the end of the day, the buck stops with me, not LR. Just happy we're okay.
Thanks again for your advice,
Hamma

[101RRS]

Irrespective of your actions the fitting should still not have fallen out - this is not the first reported action and in my view there should be a safety recall on these hitches.

Garry

[mowog]

Irrespective of your actions the fitting should still not have fallen out - this is not the first reported action and in my view there should be a safety recall on these hitches.

Garry

I agree.... I asked my dealer to pay for my Mitchell Brothers Hitch because I had no confidence in the hitch system. They said no.

[Discophil]

Completely agree Gary, mine has fallen out while towing a 5m boat on the freeway. They replaced the hitch, however i have no confidence in it.

[Tombie]

What gets me - hitch issues aside.

If people buy Cruisers they almost always:
1) use a WDH
2) fit aftermarket springs and shocks!
3) if they have Air, fit aftermarket shocks

Yet people get a D4, do nothing and some complain it feels a bit soft;)

It *can* tow stock as can the others.
Doesn't mean a custom shock wouldn't benefit the vehicle.

[mowog]

What gets me - hitch issues aside.

If people buy Cruisers they almost always:
1) use a WDH
2) fit aftermarket springs and shocks!
3) if they have Air, fit aftermarket shocks

Yet people get a D4, do nothing and some complain it feels a bit soft;)

It *can* tow stock as can the others.
Doesn't mean a custom shock wouldn't benefit the vehicle.

I believe D4 owners do a lot of mods to improve capability as well.

If you want to do remote travel you will need extra fuel capacity
The Land Rover Tow hitch is an issue for many
My rear shocks went off under 50000klm replaced under warranty

[Tombie]

I believe D4 owners do a lot of mods to improve capability as well.

If you want to do remote travel you will need extra fuel capacity
The Land Rover Tow hitch is an issue for many
My rear shocks went off under 50000klm replaced under warranty

Hi Mowog

I agree us owners do plenty of mods... And I agree about the tow hitch.

What I'm pointing out is that most D4 owners buy a D4, do a couple of bits and pieces (perhaps the hitch etc) and then hook up and tow.

I then read constant comments - tows great, bit soft etc..

What I was pointing out it very, very few people have fitted a set of aftermarket valved shocks etc...

Where as, almost all Patrol / Cruiser owners do if they plan to tow!

So when those commenting it feels "soft or bouncy" pipe up I laugh a little... And then they talk all about WDHs again...

For those who find it a bit too soft or bouncy - How about trying a simple shock upgrade to improve damping? Would likely make an awesome vehicle even better :cool:

[mowog]

I don't find mine soft and I tow a big van.

I wonder if people are thinking soft is the feedback you can get from some vans. Mine certainly did bounce a lot when I had Simplicity suspension.

[TerryO]

Hi Mowog

I agree us owners do plenty of mods... And I agree about the tow hitch.

What I'm pointing out is that most D4 owners buy a D4, do a couple of bits and pieces (perhaps the hitch etc) and then hook up and tow.

I then read constant comments - tows great, bit soft etc..

What I was pointing out it very, very few people have fitted a set of aftermarket valved shocks etc...

Where as, almost all Patrol / Cruiser owners do if they plan to tow!

So when those commenting it feels "soft or bouncy" pipe up I laugh a little... And then they talk all about WDHs again...

For those who find it a bit too soft or bouncy - How about trying a simple shock upgrade to improve damping? Would likely make an awesome vehicle even better :cool:


Totally agree, when I first fitted Koni's the D3 towed our 2.5 ton van like it wasn't even there whether it was at speed or on tight twisty undulating roads, bloody amazing to say the least.
As most everyone knows those shocks died a very early death, in fact I reckon it was the towing that killed them as it was so easy to tow faster than you would normally, so the shocks were working overtime to keep it all in check.

The problem with D3/4's is its not easy or cheap to fit new shocks unlike it is with coil sprung vehicles and as Tombie said few LR owners seem like they want to invest in aftermarket suspension where as most Cruiser or Patrol owners know they just have to.

cheers,
Terry

[Redback]

How do D3/D4 owners upgrade, when there isn't anything to upgrade too:confused:

[Tombie]

There are aftermarket shocks...

[Redback]

There are aftermarket shocks...

From what I've heard, they don't last, even Bilsteins don't last as long as the standard ones.

[Graeme]

The problem with D3/4's is its not easy or cheap to fit new shocks unlike it is with coil sprung vehicles...
Certainly not cheap especially for their short life but not too bad a job to change.

When I fitted the D3 shocks I found removing and refitting the 3 top nuts on the fronts were considerably more fiddly than the rears. However when I refitted the D4s recently I removed the inner guards from the front which made the airsprings easy like the rears, but took considerably more time with having to remove all the clips and the screws behind the headlights into the flares. Once again it took only 10 to 15 minutes to remove then refit each airspring from its shock. Its a pity that either the D4s were more worn-out than I thought or their seals were affected by having been stored on the sides for 2 years as the ride is now is quite floaty on smooth surfaces whereas the worn-out D3 shocks weren't, but at least the vehicle rides the bumps better. I'm now waiting to see what Koni come up with.

[townse]

Hi I have a haymen reece towbar fitted. Fits up under chasis and you do not have to worry about hitting your shinslike the mitch hitch. my van wieghs over 3 tonne and it tows great

[Drafrete]

Townse,

Any chance of a photo of how the Hayman Reece bar looks fitted?

Thanks

[townse]

Hi i will take a photo and try and work out how to get on to you

[Geedublya]

My rear Bilsteins are still working fine after 40K. Fronts were lasting less than 10K.

My theory is the firmer damping on the Konis and Bilsteins creates more heat and causes faster oil breakdown and or seal failure. I have a suspicion the airbags insulate them a little as well.

I would like to see some remote reservoirs to increase the oil capacity/heat dissipation.

I'm concerned that the dampers only seem good for 100K max. This will get expensive if I have to replace all the suspension struts every 80-100K.

[White D4]

Hi Townsie

Would love to see the HR bar photo when you get the hence

Cheers

[townse]

Hi all I would love to show photos but i dont know how to put them on a thread.Ex truck Driver not real bright. If you would like to send your email address in a private message i will email them to you Regards Townse.

[CaverD3]

The HR hitch is ideal for tin tenters not off road van though. Solid connection to chassis but low down like OEM.

[Tombie]

My rear Bilsteins are still working fine after 40K. Fronts were lasting less than 10K.

My theory is the firmer damping on the Konis and Bilsteins creates more heat and causes faster oil breakdown and or seal failure. I have a suspicion the airbags insulate them a little as well.

I would like to see some remote reservoirs to increase the oil capacity/heat dissipation.

I'm concerned that the dampers only seem good for 100K max. This will get expensive if I have to replace all the suspension struts every 80-100K.

Considering the life of a shock is only usually around 60,000km you need to expect such.

One needs to consider ongoing costs when purchasing a vehicle of this type!

Your comments regarding a remote canister shock have me thinking!!!!

[townse]

My van is a offroad van and it handles it okay. I admit it is a little lower than the land rover hitch but it looks heaps better than the mitch hitch. Regards Townse.

[101RRS]

I admit it is a little lower than the land rover hitch but it looks heaps better than the mitch hitch.

If you are worried about how a tow bar looks you have your priorities all wrong. I went for a Mitch Hitch on my RRS because of its functionality rather than its looks - having said that it looks OK.

Garry

[townse]

I liked the way the towbar bolts to the chasis it spreads the wieght out more evenly