Rear Wheel Carrier and Parking Sensors

[discovery4]

Hi All,

I'm a new MY13 D4 owner and loving it. Recently I have fitted a number of extras including a long range tank and Kaymar rear wheel carrier. The guys at the workshop have spent a lot of time trying to get the sensors to work but unsuccessfully. Oh, and I also have a Mitch Hitch fitted.

I thought I read about someone having this problem on one of the threads but can't seem to locate it and would appreciate if anyone can point me in the right direction and/or suggest any remedies.

Any assistance would be much appreciated.

Thanks.
Bob

[Ean Austral]

I had this same problem, but in the end I rotated the sensers and the 2 that were picking up the carrier I managed to get them to remain silent.

Its a trial and error thing, but it did eventually work for me. I did also post this question and someone posted that you can fittape over the edges of the sensers that area closest to the carrier..

I don't have a kaymar carrier, but have the same set-up you described, Long range tank, mitch hitch and rear carrier.

Hope this helps,

Cheers Ean

[ADMIRAL]

Hi Bob,

You should be able to find the posts by searching. The subject has been covered numerous times. I cannot vouch for what others have done, but I don't believe you can retain the same effectiveness on the rear parking sensors, with the double whammy of a Mitch hitch, and a rear wheel carrier.

I have a Mitch hitch, and a single wheel carrier ( SWC ) . I found that even the Mitch hitch could interfere with the two innermost sensors. Once the rear wheel carrier was fitted, it was nigh on impossible to leave these sensors active. I found self adhesive rubber furniture tabs ( Bunnings have them ) effective in blanking them off. I did try a half moon, 3/4 moon etc. on the sticker, with limited success. Eventually I blanked off the two centre sensors. There are no more issues, but there is certainly less coverage and warning.

If you have any success, please let everyone know.

[BMKal]

I don't have a Mitch Hith, but I do have a single wheel carrier and long range tank - my reversing sensors work perfectly. ;)

[discovery4]

Thanks Admiral & Ian,

After a lot of fiddling, and turning the two centre sensors so the sensor is about 45 degrees it seems to have fixed things ATM. It does seem very sensitive though. Currently working OK with one wheel up on the carrier. When I receive the 6 GOE 18" wheels I will be able to check both sides.

The workshop guys couldn't get much comfort from the Kaymar or Mitch Hitch people which is a bit sad as they are both good products. Instructions provided were also a bit lacking.

As soon as I have the last of the extras sorted I will post a couple of pics.

Thanks for your input.

Cheers
Bob

[VK3GJM]

Hi Bob,

Just completed my Kaymar bar and Mitch Hitch, I have the same sensor issue, and will try to work through it in the next couple of weeks and compare notes.

It took me 54 minutes to fit the Mitch Hitch and torque up as needed, both carrier arms just miss all edges etc. You now have to be extra careful not to take skin away from the knuckles, especially after a few reds when out camping.

Have the right carrier and spare fitted with home brew Codan mount, works an absolute treat.

Quote"The workshop guys couldn't get much comfort from the Kaymar or Mitch Hitch people which is a bit sad as they are both good products. Instructions provided were also a bit lacking." Very true.

Regards


Gerald

VK3GJM

[discovery4]

Hi Gerald,

Good luck with your adjustments.

Please check you have the correct wheel mounts as the original ones supplied were incorrect and ones that raised the wheel slightly higher were subsequently supplied. This took some time as the parts had to be manufactured and galvanised.

(The 'wheel mount' is that part of the carrier that the wheel is bolted to.)

Cheers
Bob

[VK3GJM]

Hi Bob,

Wow, how do you check for the proper height wheel mount?

It all fits well, but the sensors appear to be everyone's Achilles.

Regards

Gerald

[VK3GJM]

Hi Bob,

Could you provide a measurement of your new carrier arm. The simplest measurement is from the top of the checker plate to the centre hole where you can fit the lock. My carrier arm is 410mm.

Regards

Gerald

[Tombie]

So glad I went the 4x4DE carrier :)

Mine works fine..

Only time I have an issue is when the tongue is in the Mitch hitch.

And leaving it in when not in use is an offence in every state anyway...

[Guppy]

Hi Gerald,

Good luck with your adjustments.

Please check you have the correct wheel mounts as the original ones supplied were incorrect and ones that raised the wheel slightly higher were subsequently supplied. This took some time as the parts had to be manufactured and galvanised.

(The 'wheel mount' is that part of the carrier that the wheel is bolted to.)

Cheers
Bob

Hi there,

Same issues on my D4 - Kaymar changed the mount to the slightly higher one. The important part is the flimsy aluminium shield under the wheel. This has to be in place - something about deflecting the sensors. I had removed it originally as I didn't see its use, but it was back on after a few trips to Kaymar. I have the Mitch Hitch installed also.

Gup

[discojools]

I don't have a Mitch Hith, but I do have a single wheel carrier and long range tank - my reversing sensors work perfectly. ;)

G'day,
Can you tell me which wheel carrier you have? Also model and year of Discovery.
Am just having LRA tank and Dolium wheel carrier fitted to my 2.7 D4 and was warned by fitters that the sensors might be a problem.

Thanks

Jools

[BMKal]

G'day,
Can you tell me which wheel carrier you have? Also model and year of Discovery.
Am just having LRA tank and Dolium wheel carrier fitted to my 2.7 D4 and was warned by fitters that the sensors might be a problem.

Thanks

Jools

It's an Outback Accessories wheel carrier - available through Opposite Lock over your way I believe. Made in WA and mine was supplied & installed by Lifestyle 4WD in Perth. The "tail light" that will come standard with it will be different to the one in the pic though (just a standard el-cheapo square trailer light) - I fitted the round LED one myself.

I've never had any issues with the reverse sensors since the day the wheel carrier was installed, whether with or without the wheel cover fitted. The only thing is that you have to allow for the wheel protruding out the back of the vehicle. Before the wheel carrier - if I reversed up to a solid wall, the reversing beeper went to a solid beep when I had about 8 inches clearance between the bumper and wall. Now - the bumper is still 8 inches from the wall, but the spare tyre is just about touching the wall when the warning goes to a solid beep. Not hard to get used to.

http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/5183/j6pr.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/593/j6pr.jpg/)

Just a tip if you get one of these though - get them to drill a hole through the plate at the base of the pivot post and through the bumper, and run the wiring for the tail light straight down through that hole - much tidier than where it goes on mine.

Disco is 2012 2.7 TDV6.

Cheers ......... BM

[discojools]

Have Dolium (Frontrunner) wheel carrier fitted now and no probs with rear sensors..very lucky!

[AnD3rew]

Have Dolium RWC and Mitch hitch. Gave up on the rear sensors and diabled them, just too hard.

May try and fit a reversing camera instead at some stage.

[discojools]

It'll be the Mitch hitch then! Or your sensors are different to mine..Probably the hitch..Do they still play up with tongue removed?

[discotwinturbo]

It'll be the Mitch hitch then! Or your sensors are different to mine..Probably the hitch..Do they still play up with tongue removed?

Not for me......had wheel carrier on first and had no joy with getting the sensors to work.
OL did warn me. They tried all the rotations and no success.
Mitch hitch went on later and made no difference. If I open wheel carrier Mitch hitch does not set them off. Wheel carrier only causing the problem on my D4

Brett.....

[Redback]

I had mine turned off, don't have any beeping now:MileStone:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bazzar/High%20Country%202012%202013/DSC00237_zpsa727e2be.jpg

Baz.

[stray dingo]

I picked up my car today from OL with the Outback Accessories carrier. Didn't need to use reverse and wasn't too concerned about the sensors at that point - I knew the issues and would look at them later.

Well, later rolled around and I found when I started the car, and also when selecting reverse as message is displayed say surround cameras are not available. (Presume its a catchall message as I have no camera, just the reverse sensors). The locking mechanism covers one of the sensor positions completely, so they had unplugged that sensor and tossed in the back of the car.

So....are the four sensors wired in series, where if one sensor is disconnected totally, that knocks all 4 out of action? Or would it be something I need to trace to turn the remaining three on?
If all 4 need to be connected, if I reconnect it and just cover it with the plastic covers as suggested elsewhere, then tuck it up in the bumper, do you reckon it might be adequate? Any other way to fool the system with one missing if in series (ie remove plug and solder wires together)
thanks
Andrew

[Geedublya]

I don't believe they are in series, mine show on the screen which individual sensor is detecting an obstacle.
The D3 wiring diagram I have,shows each sensor being individually wired with just the power being common.

[stray dingo]

I plugged the removed sensor back in and left it behind the bumper.

The sensors activated again and all work fine. The one behind the bumper instead of staying on full as expected, it duplicating the other centre one....

[vbrab]

Wife got one fitted on the D3 by OL. It came back without any sensors and the rear mud flaps replaced with bits of flat rubber.
The vehicle makes loud sensor noise for 5 seconds at each start up (does not have to be in reverse) and we had not been warned by sellers that we would lose the sensors, as display photos showed sensors, so assumed they were there for a purpose.
First Email was that, they were "looking into it" and would find a solution, as seems we were sold a prototype (evidently among the first couple they had made for D3). last Email was that they had run out of ideas.
Would be happy if just a couple of the sensors worked, but seems they are not able to fit them and have ANY of them working, without permanent noise.
I see that some rear wheel carriers appear to still accommmodate the LR mud flaps.
For the price one would think they could manage a better finish (that retained teh original mud flaps) and ensure a better outcome from the reverse sensors.

[discojools]

Very happy when I first got my Frontrunner wheel carrier that I didn't have the dreaded constant beeping when I went into reverse.. Thought myself very lucky! Now have had new set of Pirellis fitted and now have constant beeping! Maybe because the tyres are new that the diameter is slightly larger than the worn Wrangler. Or maybe my D4 doesn't like Pirellis! Dunno what will happen when I fit my KM2s in a couple of weeks for mountain trip.
I'll have to try some of the fixes posted on the forum.

Jools.

[vbrab]

If you ever get your reverse indicators sorted to work with your carrier, be grateful to know how, as the guys who made my carrier are still "working on it", and have not been able to make any headway. Either that, or they figure I will just go away and forget about the 5 second "screech" every time I start the landy.

[tonyci]

Seems bazaar that this problem can not be fixed.Is any wheel carrier compatable with the parking sensors ?. I will be in the market for one shortly.
Cheers
Tony

[SBD4]

Very happy when I first got my Frontrunner wheel carrier that I didn't have the dreaded constant beeping when I went into reverse.. Thought myself very lucky! Now have had new set of Pirellis fitted and now have constant beeping! Maybe because the tyres are new that the diameter is slightly larger than the worn Wrangler. Or maybe my D4 doesn't like Pirellis! Dunno what will happen when I fit my KM2s in a couple of weeks for mountain trip.
I'll have to try some of the fixes posted on the forum.

Jools.

I reckon it's something to do with the tread patterns on the tyre - you now have larger, more irregular facets to reflect the beam back to the sensors. I have seen some wheel carriers with a piece of metal wrapping around the bottom of the tyre. I wonder if something like that (with even surface) would cause the beam to reflect away from rather than back to the sensors?

Just a hunch of course, I could be totally wrong - perhaps you could experiment and let us know how you go?

[discojools]

Blanked the sensor below the tyre off. All fixed now. When I get time I'll try some other possible remedies. You could be right about the tread pattern Sean.

Jools

[Fred Nerk]

I have the Opposite Lock Front Runner carrier. The installers advice was to disable the driver's side center sensor, but I asked them to fit the carrier and leave the sensors to me for sorting out.

I initially covered the sensor with the the rubber furniture protector and the beeping stopped. I progressively trimmed it to expose the area of sensor opposite the wheel until the constant beeping returned. Next I made the cover the size and shape of the last cover that did not beep. All ok now. Sensor works, no beeps unless reversing toward an obstruction. Total cost about $3 and I still have several furniture protectors left over. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones.

EDIT: I have MY 12 D4 HSE with surround cameras. And I have an OL bull bar. No front camera or sensor issues there either as OL had that sorted straight away.

[BMKal]

I have the "Outback Accessories" single RWC, installed by Lifestyle 4WD in Perth. These wheel carriers are locally (Perth) made, and are also available through Opposite Lock (there's at least a couple of eastern states members on here who have had them supplied / fitted through OL). See attached thread.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/174349-rear-wheel-carrier-discovery-3-a-2.html

I don't know how others have found this wheel carrier - but I have had no problems at all with reversing sensors since having this carrier (and long rang fuel tank) fitted. None of my sensors has been disconnected or modified / covered in any way - and everything still working exactly as normal.

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/1297/7odu.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/407/7odu.jpg/)

[discojools]

I initially covered the sensor with the the rubber furniture protector and the beeping stopped. I progressively trimmed it to expose the area of sensor opposite the wheel until the constant beeping returned. Next I made the cover the size and shape of the last cover that did not beep. All ok now. Sensor works, no beeps unless reversing toward an obstruction. Total cost about $3 and I still have several furniture protectors left over. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones.

Any chance of a pic of what you ended up with Fred?

Jools

[vbrab]

Thanks for all those who have offered insight on this. I intend to take it back to supplier when I am in Perth next in December, and he says their R&D is working on the problem, but nil success so far.
Seems part of problem might be that I had a full carrier fitted rather than a bolt through. Sellers thought the problem sending off the sensors was the "latches" for the wheel carriers and reckon they have since modified them, but sensors still go off. Latches do protrude a bit when closed.
Sensors in my carrier are not flush (as in origional bumper), but slightly recessed. Sensors in "Bolt through" carrier have not been moved/reset.
Since some mention a change of tyre tread, problem may be related to how much overhang of wheel from back of vehicle.
Top inside of frame is 145mm from tailgate, top inside of tyre is 200mm from tailgate at closest.
Are the distances on the "bolt through" carriers any closer to the tailgate?
Still peeved that no mention made of this issue when sold item, but was told it was a new model.....so buyer beware I suppose.
Aplogies if pics too small, I reduced them and upload seems to have shrunk them more.

[BMKal]

vrab - I just ducked outside and measured mine. Very close to the same measurements that you have shown in your photo.

Tyre to glass at closest point is 210mm, frame to body at top of post is 145mm.

http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/472/azut.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/716/azut.jpg/)

Latch on mine looks very similar to yours, but I have just noticed that they have removed one of the reversing sensors (never noticed that before - system still works exactly the same with only three sensors).

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/6489/mw71.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/29/mw71.jpg/)

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/2606/d2h2.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/89/d2h2.jpg/)

Hard to tell from the photos, and also because we have different bumpers - but it looks to me like the tyre on mine may sit slightly higher than yours do, which would put it slightly further away from the right side sensor.

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/764/p0b1.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/41/p0b1.jpg/)

If you open your latches and swing your tyres out, and then select reverse - does the beeper still go off ?

Looking at the photo of yours, I'd strongly suspect that it is the two latches being in close proximity to the two centre sensors that might be causing the problem, rather than the wheels / tyres. Add to this the fact that mine has the sensor removed where the latch is located and it adds to the suspicion - just a thought.

Hope this helps .......................... BM

[vbrab]

Thanks for checking measurements, doesn't seem to be much difference between the set ups from body.
I get the noise for about 5 seconds every time I put the key in, regardless of whether spares open or "closed".
I attach pics of how far recesssed the sensors are, they may be picking up the bumperas they appear to be set back inside it.

[Fred Nerk]

@ discojools.

Sorry that I have ben quite tardy in responding. This is a picture of my rear inner right sensor with a furniture protector applied. I know the car is dirty but if you ignore that you can see the shape of the rubber. The sensor still works as normal for the areas not shielded by the wheel on the carrier. The outer sensor covers the rest. This solution seems (to me at least) to be better than totally disabling the sensor.

[discojools]

Thanks Fred, I will try adjusting mine to match yours. At the moment mine is completely blanked.

Jools

[Graeme]

I get the noise for about 5 seconds every time I put the key in,This suggests a sensor wiring fault to me.

[4offroad]

I am new to this forum and in the process of changing from a 200series to possibly a new D4. I plan on adding many accessories listed here and I would like to know if the reverse camera can still be used with a twin rear wheel carrier or does the wheels cover the camera?
Great site BTW
Lincoln

[chuck]

The camera is located in the upper tailgate in the number plate light/handle cluster.

As number plate light etc has to be relocated when fitting twin wheel carriers you would think that the camera could be relocated as well.