D4 Tow hitch ???

[markorjack]

G'day Gents.

Long story short, I bought a second hand D4 and it didn't come with the equipment required for towing.

I bought the tongue and ball from a LR dealer in Melbourne and the second hand dealer in Sydney finally sent me the tow hitch receiver.

Do I have the right bits because I can't seem to make them work with the D4.

Tongue is part no. RAA560.
Hitch receiver has a number on it, KNB500023.

Cheers for any help.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=71394&stc=1&d=1389951061

[LGM]

Looks to me like you have a D3 receiver?

[markorjack]

That could well be the case as don't know what I am supposed to have.

Thanks LGM.

I didn't own a D3, just a 2 and a 4 :)

[Tombie]

The KNB500023 is to suit a D3.

Also known as the plow!

You want: LR040248

[Tombie]

You have looked in the side panel (passengers side) in cargo area?

Not the top storage box...

[sheerluck]

It is the D3 part, the D4 one is shorter. However, the fitting should be the same for both.

How will it not fit?

[Tombie]

Dealer will be cringing... Those LR040248 are big $$$

[markorjack]

There was no towing equipment in the second hand car, I bought the tongue and ball as I was told the receiver should be included, so I had the dealer send me a receiver.

It is used so I presume he just took one from a car on the lot.

How does it not fit?
The tongue doesn't go into the receiver far enough for the locking pin to go through the holes.

The dealer won't be cringing, he will just grab another one out of a used car and hope the next guy doesn't realise it should be included.

I found out the hard way that there should also be a misfuel reset tool.
When refuelling after picking the car up, and just before boarding the boat to Tassie I was introduced to this system, which must have been triggered by the dealer before sending the car to me.
There was no tool in the car so I couldn't fill up.
Luckily I had enough fuel to get on the boat to Tassie and get home where I went to a dealer and had them reset the system while I waited for the second hand dealer to send me one.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=71395&stc=1&d=1389952622

[Tombie]

Tongue is D4, receiver is D3...

Not compatible!!!

[markorjack]

That's good to hear.
I bought the tongue so have the right one.

The dealer will have to send me another receiver.

Thanks all :)

[sheerluck]

Tongue is D4, receiver is D3...

Not compatible!!!

Interesting Tombie, because if you try and buy a KNB500023, you are told it has been superseded by LR040248, like here KNB500023 | LR040248 | TOWING BRACKET ASSY USA+CAN G-CAT | Land Rover | | Britcar (UK) Ltd (http://www.brit-car.co.uk/product.php/96673/0/towing_bracket_assy_usa_can_g_cat)

So you can clearly fit the D4 part to a D3. And a number of places have the KNB500023 labelled as fitting the D4 like this one Land Rover Trailer TOW Hitch Receiver Genuine Range Rover Sport LR3 LR4 | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LAND-ROVER-TRAILER-TOW-HITCH-RECEIVER-GENUINE-OEM-Range-Rover-Sport-LR3-LR4-/151201139742?pt=Car_Audio_Video&hash=item23344a4c1e&_uhb=1)

[markorjack]

If you were using a different tongue it might work but the tongue I have is for a D4 (RAA560) and I can't see it working with the receiver I was given - KNB500023.

[Tombie]

As above, tongue for D3 is longer in the shaft...

[phl]

Also the D4 hitch receiver protrudes to the back, not the front. Hence the design of the hitch you have, which is the correct one for the D4.

You have obviously checked the left rear compartment in the load space (opposite side to the jack storage), and there isn't one there. FWIW, I suspect the D3 receiver will not fit the foam cutout; as it is, the D4 one is a puzzle to put back.

[markorjack]

BTW, loving the D4.
As mentioned earlier I had a D2 but that was a while ago.

This one is wifey's car which we bought because we just had our first child.

We also have a very well set up Troopy but it can't take a child seat.
Our third car is a Hilux ute so that is no good either.

The D4 is purely a road car at the moment but that may change.
I have a fridge for the back and a Traxide dual battery kit on the way.
Obviously I will need a cargo barrier, fridge slide etc so that might be the start of a slippery slope modifying it for touring etc.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=71411&stc=1&d=1389958989

[markorjack]

Also the D4 hitch receiver protrudes to the back, not the front. Hence the design of the hitch you have, which is the correct one for the D4.

You have obviously checked the left rear compartment in the load space (opposite side to the jack storage), and there isn't one there. FWIW, I suspect the D3 receiver will not fit the foam cutout; as it is, the D4 one is a puzzle to put back.
Yep, I checked there, I haven't tried the D3 receiver in that space but probably won't waste my time :)

Is there a spot for the tongue and ball when not in use?

Is there any advantage to having the little plastic piece which would go where the receiver goes when I am not towing?

[BMKal]

The little plastic piece will only fall out anyway. Lost mine very early in the piece and haven't bothered replacing it. ;)

[MartyJB]

Plastic insert clips in securely for me and I think it's worthwhile as it will help keep dirt out.

[kero]

I turned mine over as it was to low for my Roadstar van. Kero

[letherm]

Yep, I checked there, I haven't tried the D3 receiver in that space but probably won't waste my time :)

Is there a spot for the tongue and ball when not in use?

Is there any advantage to having the little plastic piece which would go where the receiver goes when I am not towing?

When I picked up my D4 in late November the tongue and ball were in a nice soft case :p which had a carabiner to hook onto one of the tie downs in the back.

No mention was made of anywhere else to store it.

Martin

[BMKal]

Mine came in the soft case as well. I wrap the entire thing in an old beach towel and store it in the compartment on the left where the receiver is also stored. There's plenty of room in there - it sits above / behind the wheel arch.

[markorjack]

I turned mine over as it was to low for my Roadstar van. Kero
What did you turn over?

The tongue doesn't fit in the receiver pictured either way.

I'm sure when I get the correct receiver it will fit.

There is a diagram that came with the tongue to show which way up it goes.
To be honest, I can't see that it matters though.

[kero]

Opposite to the to way it is shown in the photo.

[markorjack]

Understood.

That won't work with this combination though, if I turn the tongue over the ball hits the upper part of the receiver.

[kero]

Right.

[phl]

The little plastic piece will only fall out anyway. Lost mine very early in the piece and haven't bothered replacing it. ;)

You have to snap it in place; the first time I didn't, and it fell out, but since snapping it into place, have done many tracks with no problems.

[letherm]

Mine came in the soft case as well. I wrap the entire thing in an old beach towel and store it in the compartment on the left where the receiver is also stored. There's plenty of room in there - it sits above / behind the wheel arch.

I had a look in that spot today. Mine's got what looks like a big fan in there so I can't put the tongue and ball into that spot :(.

What model do you have? I've got an HSE with rear aircon so I suspect the "fan" is for that.

Martin

[Tombie]

Correct

[BMKal]

I had a look in that spot today. Mine's got what looks like a big fan in there so I can't put the tongue and ball into that spot :(.

What model do you have? I've got an HSE with rear aircon so I suspect the "fan" is for that.

Martin

Mine's just the base model 2.7 TdV6 - no fan in there.

Not sure if you'd fit it in the other side - I carry tie-downs / ratchet straps etc in there. But from memory, there's not as much room in that side, probably because of room already taken by the jack and also the fuel filler.

[giskard]

I'd like to add a tow ball to my MY13 TDV6. Naive question, but are they all created equally. Should I just go original or are there aftermarket units that are better. Also, are the electrics enabled or is this another software thing that needs to be enabled.

Apologies if these are noob questions.

[Sparkybreno]

I'd like to add a tow ball to my MY13 TDV6. Naive question, but are they all created equally. Should I just go original or are there aftermarket units that are better. Also, are the electrics enabled or is this another software thing that needs to be enabled.

Apologies if these are noob questions.

I've been looking since taking delivery of mine and all the tongues super cheap have are only rated to 2250kg. I'd like to maintain the 3500kg capability despite never needing it if possible.

Giskard, take note of how the hitch is stored is the back before removing, there was some head scratching after demonstrating how it worked fitting it back into its storage compartment.

[letherm]

I'd like to add a tow ball to my MY13 TDV6. Naive question, but are they all created equally. Should I just go original or are there aftermarket units that are better. Also, are the electrics enabled or is this another software thing that needs to be enabled.

Apologies if these are noob questions.

There are no dumb questions - only dumb mistakes made by not asking the question in the first place :D

Martin

[letherm]

Mine's just the base model 2.7 TdV6 - no fan in there.

Not sure if you'd fit it in the other side - I carry tie-downs / ratchet straps etc in there. But from memory, there's not as much room in that side, probably because of room already taken by the jack and also the fuel filler.


I had a quick look there but thought the space too small as well. Didn't physically try to put it in though - might be worth a go.

[trackless]

Wot is a misfuel reset kit???


Trackless

[SBD4]

Wot is a misfuel reset kit???


Trackless

This will explain it for you:

2010 Range Rover Sport Diesel Misfuelling Device - car review NRMA Drivers Seat - YouTube

the yellow tool they show is it.

[BMKal]

I had a quick look there but thought the space too small as well. Didn't physically try to put it in though - might be worth a go.

If you haven't got the fan for rear air-con in there, it fits easily. I've got some other gear in there as well.

Make sure that you wrap everything well though. It will be resting up against the inside of the guard - I would imagine that if it is allowed to move around, you could easily put small dents in the panel from the inside. I've made sure that mine is well packed in there and cannot move.

[markorjack]

This is now sorted.

If anyone wants the D3 tow hitch let me know as I am giving it away.

Postage may be an issue and it is located in Tassie at the moment but I don't need it.

[First LR]

I've been looking since taking delivery of mine and all the tongues super cheap have are only rated to 2250kg. I'd like to maintain the 3500kg capability despite never needing it if possible.

Giskard, take note of how the hitch is stored is the back before removing, there was some head scratching after demonstrating how it worked fitting it back into its storage compartment.

I had the same problem and did a search for "3500kg tongue" on ebay. Picked up a toyota rated one that fits fine :)

I plan to pain out the toyota symbol someday.

[markorjack]

Giskard, take note of how the hitch is stored is the back before removing, there was some head scratching after demonstrating how it worked fitting it back into its storage compartment.Any other tips?
I can't see a way for it to fit although there is a fan in there for the rear air con (I'm guessing) on my D4 so maybe it doesn't go in there.

[dwhitfie]

Any other tips?
I can't see a way for it to fit although there is a fan in there for the rear air con (I'm guessing) on my D4 so maybe it doesn't go in there.

I had the same problem as you after taking mine out the first time... Took me ages to get it back in. The 2nd time I took a pic first :)

P.s. My D4 (MY13) also has the rear aircon

[markorjack]

Cool, thanks for that.

Mine didn't come with the tow hitch so I have nothing to go off, the pic will help greatly.

My D4 was purchased second hand from Trivetts in Sydney who must have stripped everything out of the car before freighting it to me.

I didn't get the tow hitch or luggage cover but worse than that, I didn't get the misfuel reset tool.
When I went to fill up the car in Melbourne before picking it up, the fuel protection had been activated and I had no way to reset it so couldn't refuel.
Luckily I had enough fuel to get on the boat to Tassie and make it to a dealer so I could borrow the tool.

It took me a long time to get the missing accessories from Trivetts, over 6 months for them to send the parts to me.

They sent me the D3 towing hitch first, maybe because that was what they had in the yard they could grab parts from.

I consider myself lucky I have a spare (even though it is the wrong sized rim), a jack, and tyre changing tools.

[BMKal]

Looks like there's some variance in what LR supplies as standard tow hitches.

My boss has just taken delivery of a new D4. Has the same receiver that I have on mine, but the tongue hangs down much lower (looks very much like the one on my D2). It's worse than the "plough" on the D3 that he just got rid of, and is way too low to tow just about anything that I can imagine.

I showed him my receiver and tongue the other day and told him to go back to Barbagallo and ask for the correct tongue for the vehicle.

[markorjack]

The Land Rover tow bar on mine seems low.

My unloaded tandem trailer is already nose down when connected to the car.

[JamesH]

The best place for storing the tongue and ball in a car with rear aircon I have found is in the footwell of the third row of seats.

[letherm]

The best place for storing the tongue and ball in a car with rear aircon I have found is in the footwell of the third row of seats.

Dumb question, but did you mean with the seats in the folded down position? I'd try it but I have a cargo barrier in place and playing with the third row seats is a pain. If it does fit with the seats folded down I'll put mine there.

Martin

[rufusking]

Fold down one of the second row seats and tip it forward. Gives access to the third row foot well. Wrap sharp / hard stuff in a old cloth as it can rub against the surface of the folded third row seat.

[JamesH]

Fold down one of the second row seats and tip it forward. Gives access to the third row foot well. Wrap sharp / hard stuff in a old cloth as it can rub against the surface of the folded third row seat.


Thanks, That's what I meant. Good point about the rubbing. I have mine in its bag and it might not be enough.

[RHS58]

Plenty of room where I store my receiver and hitch...
In the cupboard in the garage.
See little point in lugging around what I don't need.
Also as I carry fridge in back of D4 would have to move that whenever I wanted to get the tow gear from the cubbyhole. (I use the fridge much more than the tow gear)

[Tombie]

Mines also in the workshop...
Mitch Hitch sorted my woes..

[ADMIRAL]

The Land Rover tow bar on mine seems low.

My unloaded tandem trailer is already nose down when connected to the car.

You can gain a fair bit of height by turning the tow lug over,and reversing the towball. ( if it hasn't already been done )

If that does get your trailer level, visit your local Hayman Reese dealer. They sell a variety of lugs including a heavy adjustable head version ( it is basically the same head assembly as used with the weight distribution hitches, without all the bars and attachments ) rated at 3500kilos. The trailer does need to be set level before a load is put on it, so it is worth taking the time to get the lug height correct.

[markorjack]

The tongue is the highest it can be and the ball is on top.

I am considering a mitch hitch if it is something I can fit myself.
I'll call them on Monday.

[rufusking]

You could try a highrise towball. A std ball is actually 1/2" rise (~13mm). You can get them up to 2" that I have found and rated to 3500kg. That can give you an extra ~38mm rise.

The handbook does give "recommended" max dimensions for length out from hitch pin from memory and height, which basically limits you to std hitch and ball.

[markorjack]

Thanks gents.

The discrepancy in height is 100mm.
I have ordered a Mitchell Bros hitch, hopefully they aren't too difficult to install.
This will be better for my tandem trailer and will also be much better for a camper trailer down the track.

Centre of tow ball 440mm.
Centre of trailer hitch 540mm (when trailer is level and unloaded).
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=80101&stc=1&d=1404735551

Trailer unloaded and level.
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/d3-d4-rrs/80100d1404735525-d4-tow-hitch-img_2349.jpg

Trailer unloaded and attached to the D4, quite a bit nose down.
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=80103&stc=1&d=1404735984

[markorjack]

My Mitch hitch arrived today so I will be fitting it shortly.

The instructions list a 90º die grinder under equipment required but there is no mention of grinding in the installation procedure.

Can anyone shed light on this?

[rufusking]

Might need to clean out the recovery eye to fit the bush.

[Tombie]

My Mitch hitch arrived today so I will be fitting it shortly.



The instructions list a 90º die grinder under equipment required but there is no mention of grinding in the installation procedure.



Can anyone shed light on this?


Inside recovery eye has some rough casting which needs to be cleaned up to fit the bush.

A dremel and sanding drum will do the job fine.


BTW: in your pics, what height is your Disco set at?

[markorjack]

Thanks gents.

In the pics my Disco is at normal height.

[Epic]

You could try a highrise towball. A std ball is actually 1/2" rise (~13mm). You can get them up to 2" that I have found and rated to 3500kg. That can give you an extra ~38mm rise.



The handbook does give "recommended" max dimensions for length out from hitch pin from memory and height, which basically limits you to std hitch and ball.


The handbook is quite definitive with the maximum hitch dimensions allowed. If you were to exceed these dimensions, say with a ball that is greater than the recommended 6 inches from the pin, would you have trouble with insurance if something were to go wrong?

[RickO]

My Mitch hitch arrived today so I will be fitting it shortly.

The instructions list a 90º die grinder under equipment required but there is no mention of grinding in the installation procedure.

Can anyone shed light on this?

Hi markorjack,

Does your D4 have 19inch tyres?The reason I ask is that I'm thinking of moving my Mitch hitch over from my 18 inch-wheeled D3 and am looking to confirm that it'll fit ok with the 19inch tyres. A comparison of the 18/19 inch tyre diameters indicates that it should fit ok, but there's nothing like hearing that it actually does!

The Mitch Hitch is a great bit of kit that I cannot rate highly enough.

Thanks,
RickO

[discotwinturbo]

Hi markorjack, Does your D4 have 19inch tyres?The reason I ask is that I'm thinking of moving my Mitch hitch over from my 18 inch-wheeled D3 and am looking to confirm that it'll fit ok with the 19inch tyres. A comparison of the 18/19 inch tyre diameters indicates that it should fit ok, but there's nothing like hearing that it actually does! The Mitch Hitch is a great bit of kit that I cannot rate highly enough. Thanks, RickO

RickO,

I think you will find most that have a Mitch Hitch fitted have factory 19's.

I don't think I understand your question as the Hitch has nothing to do with tyres fitted other then slightly different tow height.

I have 18's that are taller and 19's that are factory and tow height is of little difference.

Make sure you order a new bolt and bush....but be prepared as they do charge a princely sum for this.

Brett....

[LGM]

As Admiral said you can get a variety of hitch fittings. I have been able to obtain one that allowed me to set up my camper and trailers to travel on the level!

It's not thaaat much bigger than the original LR unit.