D4 tow hitch

[LandyAndy]

Im guessing you zip from the dealer,ie no factory tow hitch???
Didnt want to start paying thru the nose for expensive dealer supplied bar.What is this "Mitch Hitch" that gets mentioned,better than original????
Andrew

[Bytemrk]

Andy, I'm not sure what does or doesn't come with a new one... but have you got your VIN number?

If so, jump on TOPix (http://topix.landrover.jlrext.com/topix/vehicle/lookupForm;jsessionid=0s+90Lf0y2TXXZ7sjTZc4SBv.prs 72904) and you can check out all the build info.

( Just register and log in an an "Independent Operator" )

[LandyAndy]

I do have the vin,will look see what Ive bought:cool::cool::cool::cool:
Andrew

[101RRS]

I thought the D4 comes with its tow pack as standard and the it lives in its own special compartment in the back.

Garry

[LandyAndy]

Topix says.
Tow hitch reciever NAS
12n 7pin socket harness.

Interestingly it says less day time running lights,my invoice states Xennon headlights signature DRL $524.48.
Hope the juke box is OK,$1223.78 for that:):):):):)
Andrew

[BMKal]

My impression was that the tow hitch receiver came standard with the vehicle, but you have to purchase the Hayman Reese style stinger or tongue separately.

Check what "stinger" they supply you - they gave Brendan a D2 one for his - it was way too low. When I showed him mine, be went back to Barbagallo and they exchanged it.

I was lucky - as mine was a demo and had probably been used for towing in its first 1,000km - there was a stinger and chrome towball in the back in a leather bag - didn't cost me anything extra.

Brendan's new D4 is coming along well - he has had the same long range tank and rear wheel carrier as I have fitted (courtesy of Steve at Lifestyle) - but he is having trouble sourcing the roofrack he wants - apparently they don't make the one I have any more (mounting arrangement is different on the newer style). He took it on its first camping & off-road trip a couple of weeks ago - was very happy with it. Said it outshone Lee's Wrangler all the way. :p

[SBD4]

Im guessing you zip from the dealer,ie no factory tow hitch???
Didnt want to start paying thru the nose for expensive dealer supplied bar.What is this "Mitch Hitch" that gets mentioned,better than original????
Andrew

Andy Have a look here, It makes use of the recovery eye to raise the height of the receiver:

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)

Mitch Hitch:
http://store.mitchellbros.com.au/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/f/i/file_1.jpg

Vs Land Rover Receiver:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/08/1467.jpg

[Epic pooh]

My question would be - do you off-road with your bar on ? If yes, get a Mitch hitch at some point ... If no ... Well see how you go. The oem setup has worked for me for many years trouble free (off when not in use) - good height for most of what I tow and works ok (this far) wherever I'm game to take my ancient little van !

[letherm]

My impression was that the tow hitch receiver came standard with the vehicle, but you have to purchase the Hayman Reese style stinger or tongue separately.




My understanding is the same. The receiver is standard but the insert is separate and either has to be purchased or the dealer throws one in for free as happened in my case complete with vinyl? bag with hook to attach it to a tie down. Luck of the draw, but I reckon you could get it thrown in without too much hassle.

[Redback]

If you want clearance, get the Mitch Hitch, if the standard hitch meets your needs, just stick with it.

We do a lot of offroad tracks where clearance is needed(ie) lots of erosion humps and rutted tracks, also because it's an offroad camper, it sits much higher, so went with the Mitch Hitch.

Baz.

[Graeme]

The oem setup has worked for me for many years trouble free (off when not in use) - good height for most of what I tow and works ok (this far) wherever I'm game to take my ancient little van !I have the LR tongue permanently fitted except when using a 2T 3" riser for my lifted old poptop.

[Epic pooh]

You'd have the newer design that permits you to remove the spare without removing the tow bar - I have the original plough ... and my garage is short so I prefer to remove it so as not to get kneecapped !

I like the one from South Africa (DISCOVERY 3 (http://www.g4outdoor.co.za/Products/discovery_3.html))

Pic at : g4outdoor.co.za: Click image to close this window (http://www.g4outdoor.co.za/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=1497&fullsize=1)

A bit unsure about legalities here so have not pursued it.

[LandyAndy]

Will see how I go.
Definately need the taller hitch for my camper trailer(its almost complete),Needs a no drop hitch on the D2.
That standard one looks ok for the garden trailer.
Thanks guys.
Andrew

[simonD4]

I also use the Mitchell bros hitch, if you plan to tow any off-road type of camper trailer which uses a Treg hitch or similar then you will want the MB hitch as it levels the camper trailer out better, I utilize this setup for towing my Kimberley Kamper.

[tiddy]

Our '14 Discovery came with the electrical connections fitted and the LR hitch is stored in the back of the car.

For my use, the LR hutch was good enough, although I can see why others go for the Mitchell Bros.

You will still need to buy a Hayman Reese or similar tongue though.

[Epic pooh]

For amusement, here's my well thought out original plough ... I've been content with this but the D4 version looks to be an improvement. 81471

[Plane Fixer]

The old plough was certainly an epic design failure!

[Pedro_The_Swift]

work fine with pommy vans!
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/08/1412.jpg

[sheerluck]

work fine with pommy vans!

They don't Pedro. The tow hitches in the UK are a very different to the one we have. It's a one piece gooseneck design, compared to our separate receiver and hitch.

[RHS58]

work fine with pommy vans!
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/08/1412.jpg

I doubt that rig would manage the dip where my driveway enters the roadway.
Be hung up for sure on the tow connection.

[MitchellBros4x4]

My question would be - do you off-road with your bar on ? If yes, get a Mitch hitch at some point ... If no ... Well see how you go. The oem setup has worked for me for many years trouble free (off when not in use) - good height for most of what I tow and works ok (this far) wherever I'm game to take my ancient little van !
Have you ever had your oem hitch seized in there? Fun to get out let me tell you.

Can you say plasma cutter? :D

On a serious note, have you seen the oem die cast unit snap in two through the locking pin assembly?

[Epic pooh]

Well yes I have had to tap it out once or twice ! Which Is why I keep it well lubed and only fitted when in use. It's survived 9 years so far ...

Yes I've seen some major failures of the oem unit, but my normal tow load is around 1.5t and not arduous. If I towed anything very heavy regularly or towed in difficult off-road conditions I would not use the oem hitch. I would probably use yours, but the way it sticks out when mounted would cause me a leg injury in my short garage - out of interest, can yours be removed and refitted so it is only on when needed ?

[Redback]

I'm a big fan of the M/Bros hitch, trailer fitted straight on level using the Hayman Reece tongue from our old D2, we needed the clearence, as we do a lot of offroad where it is needed.

Baz.

[TerryO]

I have a Mitch Hitch on the D3, its great, the reversing sensors don't work because of it but I can live with that.

Regarding can you take it out when not in use? In theory yes in practise you wouldn't do it because its a massive pain in the butt. Plus from memory Mitch Hitch recommend that you replace the neoprene bush and bolt every time you take it off, which again from memory is about $60 for the kit and if you have a early Mitch Hitch then the new kit doesn't fit so you have to take it back to Mitch Hitch who will kindly modify it for a fee.

Chances are I will look at getting another Mitch Hitch for the D4 pretty soon because it's the only real option for a decent off road tow hitch on a D3/4/RRS.

A question if you guys at Mitchell Brothers hopefully don't mind me asking, many Vendors on here provide some sort of a discount for Aulro members who buy their product, is that an idea?

[Tombie]

I fitted a Mitch Hitch to enable the boat to be attached as the factory unit sat too low to then get the jockey wheel up! Even with Llams and raised!

Now I need a drop tongue for most conventional trailers - a D2 tongue fits the bill in this regard :cool:

Awaiting the arrival (should be today) of my Rapid hitch and then sending it to MC Hitch for a modification (adding the MC Hitch pin to the other side of the unit) which will then give me a 50mm ball and MC Hitch Pin on a 6" adjustable platform. :cool:

[Epic pooh]

Thanks gents ! Don't think it's necessary for me but never say never ! The pita to remove is highly in appealing to me and is why I've been attracted to the South African hitch but as I said before compliance concerns put me off that one too.

[LandyAndy]

Has anybody used a standard tounge upside down in the factory hitch??
I recon I saw one on a D4 in the city yesterday that looked to be upside down,couldnt get close enough to look see,was in traffic.
Saw a factory hitch and tounge on a near new RRS,there is no way I could tow my boat like that,even worse for the camper trailer.I realise it was at acsses height,still it wouldnt raise enough.
Andrew

[Tombie]

Factory tongue can be used either way in the factory fitting

[BMKal]

The one I have in the shed at home (same as the one I showed you the other day Andrew) has been used upside down on the D2 more than once without problems. My camper trailer sits too low with the tongue fitted the normal way.

Haven't done it with the D4 yet, but don't see any issues at all in doing it.

[Rob king]

Hi guys,
I have a similar question.
My RRS comes with the old plough hitch, never used.
I went to repco yesterday and bought a goose neck, tow ball, pin etc.
All fits ok but it's a rattle fit in the receiver and there's no screw to nip up the slack. So if I use it, there's going to lots of clunking which could end up in failure.
Is the OEM version a tight fit in the receiver? Possibly cast?... The pics posted don't seem to be.
Rob.

[Tombie]

Factory unit rattles a bit too :)

[rufusking]

Hi guys,
I have a similar question.
My RRS comes with the old plough hitch, never used.
I went to repco yesterday and bought a goose neck, tow ball, pin etc.
All fits ok but it's a rattle fit in the receiver and there's no screw to nip up the slack. So if I use it, there's going to lots of clunking which could end up in failure.
Is the OEM version a tight fit in the receiver? Possibly cast?... The pics posted don't seem to be.
Rob.

Grab yourself a anti-rattle hitch pin (it also acts as a lock). They are about $30 and you'll never hear from the tow hitch again.

[Rob king]

Thanks rufusking.
I went to a landrover yard today to collect some parts and a similar sport with tow bar was there. I checked it out for the fit, it was just as loose as my repco one. (65 v 260)
I was going to add shims to the bar or weld some ridges but I like your suggestion.
I bought a locking pin at repco but didn't see any anti rattle version just the r clip type
Do you know where they are sold?
Thanks again, rob.

[discotwinturbo]

This is similar to the one that came with my Touareg.

Brett...
http://www.btatowingequipment.com.au/HitchPins.html

[Rob king]

Thanks Brett
I bought the one on the left.
Will look for the other.
Rob.

[DiegotheCat]

Hey

Has anyone tried turning the whole assembly upside down??

I dont have one at the moment and would love it if someone could let me know how that would go? I have read that it is possible but would like to know / see it before I make a purchase.

Thanks in advance.

[PaulGOz]

I have always used my std hitch upside down. Some hitches can be used both ways some can't. The one that can't will have reinforcing steel that would interfete with trailer articulation and mounting if inverted. Hard to explain without pics.

[DiegotheCat]

I have always used my std hitch upside down. Some hitches can be used both ways some can't. The one that can't will have reinforcing steel that would interfete with trailer articulation and mounting if inverted. Hard to explain without pics.

Any chance of pics?? Would be a great help.

[DiegotheCat]

its ok no pic's required

I had a bit of confusion. I thought the Standard Discover Hitch not the square section hitch could be inverted but now after delivery of my vehicle I can see that it doesnt.

thanks anyway.