Mitch Hitch

[Billandy1]

Can anyone tell me where to get the Mitch Hitch? I haven't been able to find it anywhere. Thanks and Happy New Year to all
Cheers
Bill

[TerryO]

This is the mob who sell them.


Welcome to Mitchell Bros - 4x4 & more - Sydney, New South Wales Australia (http://www.mitchellbros4x4.com.au)

[Peteren]

I'm having the same issue tying to order one, all the links go to dead pages ?


To clarify that, the online store button on their home page goes to a dead page

[LRD414]

I recently purchased a secondhand one from this forum but was previously trying to get a new one without success and had my name with a couple of 3rd party LR specialists.

I was advised just last week by British Off Road (Sunshine Coast, QLD) that they have now sourced some from a new wholesaler. I think perhaps the rights to manufacture may have been passed on by Mitchells but this is only my guess.

Anyway, British Off Road indicated that they will have 10 hitches on 5th January (I think that was the date he said) so I guess other places in other states will be in the same boat.

Cheers,
Scott

[Peteren]

Thanks very much for the heads up on this Scott, it is the answer to my issue with getting the van and the hitch on the car to match up


Have placed an order via email, will see if I have got in soon enough to get one


Cheers
Peter

[LandyAndy]

Thanks very much for the heads up on this Scott, it is the answer to my issue with getting the van and the hitch on the car to match up


Have placed an order via email, will see if I have got in soon enough to get one


Cheers
Peter

Peter,for a van,you SHOULD be able to invert a normal hitch to gain the height,it even points this out in the handbook if I recall.
The Mitch Hitches come into play for off-road camper trailers,I doubt I could invert a hitch and still get my camper trailer to ride level.I have a tourist stop behind my place,seems the norm to run a towbar upside down on a D4 with caravans(checked a fair few out).D3's are a different story,their hitch is lower again.
Its not recommended to use any load hitch,the air suspension and electronics look after that well.
Andrew

[Peteren]

Not quite that easy Andrew, the hitch on our van is 640mm high. An inverted standard tongue comes nowhere near.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/01/1025.jpg

[LandyAndy]

About EXACTLY the issue I have;););););)
Andrew

[Billandy1]

Thanks for the replies gents. I've had probs like everyone else it seems. At least now we have a bit of an idea what's going on. I get my Disco in March and I don't want to fit the "plough"

[LandyAndy]

Thanks for the replies gents. I've had probs like everyone else it seems. At least now we have a bit of an idea what's going on. I get my Disco in March and I don't want to fit the "plough"

"The Plough" is a D3 moniker.Look one up;);););)
The D4 hitch is a big improvement,still not perfect.
Andrew

[LandyAndy]

Not quite that easy Andrew, the hitch on our van is 640mm high. An inverted standard tongue comes nowhere near.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/01/1025.jpg

Peter,if you go over 140kmh your Disco will lower another 20mm automaticly,may sort the issue;)
;);););););)
Andrew

[letherm]

I don't know if this will help but when I was a kid my father had a similar problem. He solved it by getting a tow ball with a long shaft which he put through a collar he got made up at work a few inches high that sat on top of the tongue of the tow bar. He was towing a camper trailer with it in a Morris 1100 so it wasn't a huge load. Long time ago :):) Maybe something like this coupled with turning the tongue upside down might be enough to come close to leveling the setup.

[RHS58]

Another option is to purchase a high rise tow ball from Traralgon Trailers.
Can purchase direct or via EBay.



50mm ball, 1 inch lift or 1 1/2 inch lift.
rated 3500kg.

heres the links:
TOW Ball 50mm 1 1 2" Lift 3500kg Caravan Trailer Towbar Raise Part Towball L2 | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Tow-Ball-50mm-1-1-2-lift-3500kg-Caravan-Trailer-towbar-raise-part-towball-L2-/111230427290?pt=AU_product_Trailer_Parts&hash=item19e5d9a09a)

TOW Ball 50mm 3500kg 1" Lift Caravan Trailer Towbar Part Towball Raise Rise L1 | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Tow-Ball-50mm-3500kg-1-lift-Caravan-Trailer-towbar-part-towball-raise-rise-L1-/111175627664?pt=AU_product_Trailer_Parts&hash=item19e2957390)

[Graeme]

Peter,if you go over 140kmh your Disco will lower another 20mm automaticlyHas the speed changed? It was a sustained 160 kph.

[LandyAndy]

Has the speed changed? It was a sustained 160 kph.

You are probably correct,I havent gone past 140kmh,nothing changed.
Andrew

[Plane Fixer]

Naturally that speed was done on the NT unrestricted road :angel:
The D4 is very stable and feels firmly planted on the road at higher speeds.

[Peteren]

Another option is to purchase a high rise tow ball from Traralgon Trailers.



The main problem is the very narrow drop and raise limits that LD place on the tongue unit, these are 25 mm raise and 60 mm drop measured from the top of the square shaft.


I can see their point, if you go outside of these limits you put excessive leverage on the hitch that it may not be designed for


Have ordered the Mitch hitch replacement this morning and that gives me a virtually level arrangement once I source the right tongue

[TerryO]

Is there a pic of the Mitch Hitch replacement that is available to see, or a website?

[Peteren]

Land Rover parts and servicing specialists - British Off Road - Recovery Hi Rise Tow Hitch (http://www.britishoffroad.com/products/recoveryhitch.aspx)

[Grant052]

Give Triumph Rover Spares in Adelaide a call, I got mine through them when I was living in Sth Aust.

[TerryO]

So did these guys buy out the Mitch Hitch brand? Because how else can they claim that it supersedes the Mitchell Brothers product?

Just asking.

[LRD414]

My understanding is that the rights have been passed to a wholesaler, from where places like British Offroad source them. I didn't catch the wholesaler's name.

[mawhite]

Not quite that easy Andrew, the hitch on our van is 640mm high. An inverted standard tongue comes nowhere near.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/01/1025.jpg

You need something like this then.

http://intertradeholdings.com.au/mister-hitches/adjustable-ball-mounts.html

Will give you up to 16cm of rise.

[mowog]

Not quite that easy Andrew, the hitch on our van is 640mm high. An inverted standard tongue comes nowhere near.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/01/1025.jpg

When I was using the standard hitch I used a Rapid hitch to level things out. I still use the Rapid Hitch with the Mitch Hitch

Titan Trailer Brakes - Rapid Hitch (http://www.titanbrakes.com.au/rapid_hitch.php)

[TerryO]

Always liked the Rapid Hitch, but its a shame they don't do one with a flat plate with a mounting hole in it so those who don't use a old school tow ball can fit a different type of hitch.

[mowog]

Always liked the Rapid Hitch, but its a shame they don't do one with a flat plate with a mounting hole in it so those who don't use a old school tow ball can fit a different type of hitch.

Joe at McHitch made an Adapter for my Rapid Hitch so I could use the McHitch Uniglide coupling.

McHitch.com.au - Uniglide Trailer Coupling (http://mchitch.com.au/)

[TerryO]

Thanks for that Mowog. I am also looking at getting one of the Uniglide couplings as well, beats the hell out of the Trigg we have at present.

[Peteren]

Looked at lots of high rise hitches but found that they all put the tow ball outside of the very narrow limitations set by LR


Can see why they have done this, if the tow ball is too high or too low in relation to the standard LR receiver then the leverage acting on the receiver will be outside it design parameters and it is likely to fail


Have ordered the "new" Mitch Hitch which is now AS tested and it places the tow ball in exactly the right place for my van

[Peteren]

The new "Mitch Hitch" arrived today, interestingly the bushes that go in the tow eye are solid steel




https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/01/787.jpg

[ADMIRAL]

The new "Mitch Hitch" arrived today, interestingly the bushes that go in the tow eye are solid steel




https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/01/787.jpg
That's interesting. How do they suggest you put them in ? The old nylon setup was hard enough.

[Peteren]

That's interesting. How do they suggest you put them in ? The old nylon setup was hard enough.


Will find out on the weekend, once I fit the towpro unit

[Peteren]

After spending the last couple weekends fitting a dual battery system, Anderson connector for the van, removing the LR trailer sockets, fitting flat 12 pin socket and installing a Towpro it was finally time to trial fit the hitch


I think that's pretty damned close, pleased with the result so far




https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/01/656.jpg

[Peteren]

That's interesting. How do they suggest you put them in ? The old nylon setup was hard enough.


The two round slugs fit very snuggly into the tow eye and the hitch went on with a fair bit wriggle and push, eventually got the bolt in as well.

[LandyAndy]

That looks more like it.
About the only thing my D4 hitch will be good for towing is the boat and garden trailer.
I should have a long drop Disco 2 hitch in the shed wich will suit these 2 trailers if I get the Mitch Hitch.
Thanks
Andrew

[ScottD4]

Peteren that looks bloody huge. :o

Surely you are not meant to leave that on the vehicle when the van is at home? Once practiced how quickly can you fit/remove you think?

[Peteren]

Peteren that looks bloody huge. :o

Surely you are not meant to leave that on the vehicle when the van is at home? Once practiced how quickly can you fit/remove you think?


It is rather large
With the tongue out it doesn't upset the rear parking sensors
Time to fit, with the LR trailer plugs removed, about 30mins. So I will only be fitting it when I have to tow the van
Towing the much smaller bike trailer will be with the standard hitch

[ScottD4]

It is rather large
With the tongue out it doesn't upset the rear parking sensors
Time to fit, with the LR trailer plugs removed, about 30mins. So I will only be fitting it when I have to tow the van
Towing the much smaller bike trailer will be with the standard hitch

I currently still have the twin LR trailer plugs and assume these will still be present when I go to tow a van (perhaps the white one replaced w/ Anderson plug).

Earlier in this thread I think it was someone mentioned fitting this hitch is difficult because the plugs get in the way. Would that be the case? After looking at your picture I wouldn't be able to leave that hitch on the D4 and still get the car in the garage.

[LRD414]

I currently still have the twin LR trailer plugs and assume these will still be present when I go to tow a van (perhaps the white one replaced w/ Anderson plug).

Earlier in this thread I think it was someone mentioned fitting this hitch is difficult because the plugs get in the way. Would that be the case? After looking at your picture I wouldn't be able to leave that hitch on the D4 and still get the car in the garage.

The white plug making bolt fitting difficult was my experience. But if you do replace white plug with Anderson, it will be a lot easier I think. The body of the white plug is huge and there is little slack in the loom. The bolt was the only part of the fitting that was slow.

Cheers,
Scott

[Peteren]

I currently still have the twin LR trailer plugs and assume these will still be present when I go to tow a van (perhaps the white one replaced w/ Anderson plug).

Earlier in this thread I think it was someone mentioned fitting this hitch is difficult because the plugs get in the way. Would that be the case? After looking at your picture I wouldn't be able to leave that hitch on the D4 and still get the car in the garage.


The white plug making bolt fitting difficult was my experience. But if you do replace white plug with Anderson, it will be a lot easier I think. The body of the white plug is huge and there is little slack in the loom. The bolt was the only part of the fitting that was slow.

Cheers,
Scott


You cant get the bolt in with the LR sockets in place, I've removed both of them and fitted a 12 pin flat and a 50A Anderson.
Still have to undo the Anderson, just two screws, and pull it forward to get the bolt in


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/01/609.jpg

[Tombie]

Thats come up a treat Peter!

[Peteren]

Cheers Tombie, so far so good


Just need to trim the 12 pin mount so I can get the 24mm spanner in to do up the hitch bolt

[dave12]

I have just purchased a new caravan for my D4 and it looks like that I will need something like a Mitch Hitch as the ball is about 100mm too low
Is this the way to go as I am new to all this towing. The best i have done is to tow a 6x4 trailer.

[mowog]

I have just purchased a new caravan for my D4 and it looks like that I will need something like a Mitch Hitch as the ball is about 100mm too low
Is this the way to go as I am new to all this towing. The best i have done is to tow a 6x4 trailer.

You can use a Rapid Hitch to fix the height issue.

Titan Trailer Brakes - Rapid Hitch (http://www.titanbrakes.com.au/rapid_hitch.php)

[Tombie]

You can use a Rapid Hitch to fix the height issue.

Titan Trailer Brakes - Rapid Hitch (http://www.titanbrakes.com.au/rapid_hitch.php)

Got one.. And shipped from the USA saved me a fortune :cool:

Then had MC Hitch modify the pin so now have 3.5t MC Hitch and 50mm ball..

[mowog]

Joe is a top bloke.

I have a spare Rapid Hitch ball I need to send him for the mod.

[Trekki]

Hi All

Last week I had a new tow hitch installed by British Offroad on the Sunshine Coast; great job and great unit. The unit sits about 200mm higher than 'the plough' See photos

[wbowner]

Hi All

Last week I had a new tow hitch installed by British Offroad on the Sunshine Coast; great job and great unit. The unit sits about 200mm higher than 'the plough' See photos
Hi,
I can't see from photos but is the nut on the bolt on the left or right side. It should be on the right

No big issue either way but determines which plug you have to remove to get the bolt through the eye.

The instructions say to remove the white one.

Richard

[MitchellBros4x4]

Hi All

Last week I had a new tow hitch installed by British Offroad on the Sunshine Coast; great job and great unit. The unit sits about 200mm higher than 'the plough' See photos

That's a knock off from our hitch....

[whitedisco]

Mitch, your Online Store link does not work for me
Cheers

[ScottD4]

That's a knock off from our hitch....

I think you will find that many people on this forum having been trying to source one of your hitches but to no avail. Your online store doesn't work.

If these guys can provide one then so be it...

[Peteren]

I think you will find that many people on this forum having been trying to source one of your hitches but to no avail. Your online store doesn't work.

If these guys can provide one then so be it...


Yes, have to agree. Tried various ways to get onto your online store only to find all routes broken

[wbowner]

What!

Their advertising and also what they tell you is this hitch is a replacement for the Mitch hitch and that the mitch hitch is no longer available.

So what is going on then

Richard

[wbowner]

When you compare the two hitches they do look very similar.
Some of the difference from what I can tell arE
1. The Mitch Hitch uses a taper lock bush in the recovery hook where the new recovery hitch uses two metal spaces
2. The Mitch hitch requires some minor ulterations to the the recovery hook for D4s. The new one does not.
3. The Mitch Hitch uses NYLOC M16 nuts but the new one uses normal nuts
4. The one I want to question is that the recommended torque values for the Mitch hitch M16 nuts is 170nm but the new one recommends 340nm ???
5. Bolt lengths do seem different as well, however the bolt lengths mentioned in the instructions for the new one vary (ie they say they are one length on one page and then another on the list of contents), this is not an issue and is just a doco error.

There may be other differences as well
Richard

[RHS58]

Similar, but probably different enought to avoid Patent / Intellectual Property issues?
Mitchell Bros web site is broken and won't allow purchase of their hitch at the moment. And there may be supply issues as noted in this thread but that may have been promulgated by the new products promoter???
Will be interesting to see what happens now.
Some competitive discounting would be good.

[winaje]

That's a knock off from our hitch....


I think you will find that many people on this forum having been trying to source one of your hitches but to no avail. Your online store doesn't work.

If these guys can provide one then so be it...


What!

Their advertising and also what they tell you is this hitch is a replacement for the Mitch hitch and that the mitch hitch is no longer available.

So what is going on then

Richard

Gotta say this is going to be interesting to watch...

[wbowner]

When you compare the two hitches they do look very similar.
Some of the difference from what I can tell arE
1. The Mitch Hitch uses a taper lock bush in the recovery hook where the new recovery hitch uses two metal spaces
2. The Mitch hitch requires some minor ulterations to the the recovery hook for D4s. The new one does not.
3. The Mitch Hitch uses NYLOC M16 nuts but the new one uses normal nuts
4. The one I want to question is that the recommended torque values for the Mitch hitch M16 nuts is 170nm but the new one recommends 340nm ???
5. Bolt lengths do seem different as well, however the bolt lengths mentioned in the instructions for the new one vary (ie they say they are one length on one page and then another on the list of contents), this is not an issue and is just a doco error.

There may be other differences as well
Richard

A follow up question.

Would you be able to torque this bolts by hand to 340nm?
I doubt you could get a rattle or such in on the bolt?

I would have to get a new torque wrench as mine maxes out before that.

Richard

[Dagilmo]

I the words of Archimedes: "Give me a place to stand a long enough level and I shall move the world"

[harry]

That's a knock off from our hitch....


and I have been trying to get one of your hitches for about six months and since late November, have been on your list of people to contact when you have the hitch available, and made many phone calls asking when the hitch is ready.


I have just last week ordered one of the british off road hitches.


so whats the problem?

[wbowner]

and I have been trying to get one of your hitches for about six months and since late November, have been your list of people to contact when you have the hitch available, and made many phone calls asking when the hitch is ready.


I have just last week ordered one of the british off road hitches.


so whats the problem?
I ordered a British OFFROAD hitch and it was here in Canberra within two days.

You do get a bit jack of chasing vendors to allow you to spend your money.
I have been trying to get some mods done to my car and have approached a number of people who will "get back to me" and am still waiting so I was pleasantly surprised when one did.

Richard

[discotwinturbo]

About 18-24 months ago Mitchell brothers had a big rant on this forum about when I complained about a pin for their hitch costing over $100.

I guess them talking about supporting Australian businesses was all hot air.

Brett....

[MitchellBros4x4]

Just to keep you in the loop.

The manufacturer of these hitches is claiming to have licensing rights to the hitch, this is not correct. These individuals were a major distributor of ours, they claim to have these rights, this is not correct.

We have had some manufacturing issues, we were not happy to distribute the product because it was not 100%.

Everyone who has contacted us to obtain a hitch has been placed on a register and as we promised to contact everyone when the parts are ready and we're satisfied with the final product, we will advise everyone of the status.

This product that is being sold by British Offroad is not "the new mitch hitch" and it is a copy of our design, we've already started the process because we believe these individuals have stolen our intellectual property.

We're a small family business, we don't make millions of dollars profit every year, we struggle to make ends meet. We have been taken advantage of by a very large Australian company who import Land Rover parts into the country, it does not feel good to have your products knocked off and have the company try to sell their product as your very own. They're obviously trying to make sales off our good name.

We acknowledge that we have been tardy with delivery of product to the market place over the last 18 months, we have struggled with the previous manufacturer and we just couldn't get the right result from them and we couldn't deliver a substandard product to the market.

Thanks to everyone who has continued to support us, we sincerely appreciate your patience and kind words many have had to say about us.

We expect to have more product by Mid March, we're satisfied with the new manufacturer and we're going into production next week.

Thanks again,

Aaron Mitchell

[Redback]

Thank you for your update Aaron, much appreciated, that is down right discraceful of this company to do this to you guys and, then pass it off as the genuine product, I will be passing this on to the other forums I frequent.

Baz.

[mowog]

Just to keep you in the loop.

We acknowledge that we have been tardy with delivery of product to the market place over the last 18 months, we have struggled with the previous manufacturer and we just couldn't get the right result from them and we couldn't deliver a substandard product to the market.

Thanks to everyone who has continued to support us, we sincerely appreciate your patience and kind words many have had to say about us.

We expect to have more product by Mid March, we're satisfied with the new manufacturer and we're going into production next week.

Thanks again,

Aaron Mitchell

I find myself a little concerned with this "substandard product" have any of these ever been shipped to customers?

I tow a 3.5t Caravan so I want to be assured I am not doing it with a substandard product.

[harry]

and I have been trying to get one of your hitches for about six months and since late November, have been on your list of people to contact when you have the hitch available, and made many phone calls asking when the hitch is ready.


I have just last week ordered one of the british off road hitches.


so whats the problem?


I fitted my new hitch today, not difficult at all, and I still haven't heard from mitch!

[harry]

Just to keep you in the loop.

The manufacturer of these hitches is claiming to have licensing rights to the hitch, this is not correct. These individuals were a major distributor of ours, they claim to have these rights, this is not correct.

We have had some manufacturing issues, we were not happy to distribute the product because it was not 100%.

Everyone who has contacted us to obtain a hitch has been placed on a register and as we promised to contact everyone when the parts are ready and we're satisfied with the final product, we will advise everyone of the status.

This product that is being sold by British Offroad is not "the new mitch hitch" and it is a copy of our design, we've already started the process because we believe these individuals have stolen our intellectual property.
should I mention price?

We're a small family business, we don't make millions of dollars profit every year, we struggle to make ends meet. We have been taken advantage of by a very large Australian company who import Land Rover parts into the country, it does not feel good to have your products knocked off and have the company try to sell their product as your very own. They're obviously trying to make sales off our good name.

We acknowledge that we have been tardy with delivery of product to the market place over the last 18 months, we have struggled with the previous manufacturer and we just couldn't get the right result from them and we couldn't deliver a substandard product to the market.

Thanks to everyone who has continued to support us, we sincerely appreciate your patience and kind words many have had to say about us.

We expect to have more product by Mid March, we're satisfied with the new manufacturer and we're going into production next week.

Thanks again,

Aaron Mitchell


its a shame that you weren't more honest with those of us on the waiting list and contacted us with your progress.
as you know I have jumped ship and bought the other one.
there seems to be a bit of bulsh about who is doing what, but at the end of the day, if you cannot support those customers that signed up to buy your product why get upset when they, me and others, bail out.

[MitchellBros4x4]

I find myself a little concerned with this "substandard product" have any of these ever been shipped to customers?

I tow a 3.5t Caravan so I want to be assured I am not doing it with a substandard product.

Hi Mo,

Absolutely not, our QC process prevented us from sending them out and if you read my earlier post I suggested that we couldn't send them out because we weren't happy with them.

We've got integrity.

Aaron Mitchell

[wbowner]

Hi,
I bought one of the "replacement hitches" from British OFFROAD"

When I went to their website at the time I am sure it advertised it as the Mitch Hitch replacement. I don't believe it does now.

Was I imagining this or not. What did other people find

Richard

[MitchellBros4x4]

its a shame that you weren't more honest with those of us on the waiting list and contacted us with your progress.
as you know I have jumped ship and bought the other one.
there seems to be a bit of bulsh about who is doing what, but at the end of the day, if you cannot support those customers that signed up to buy your product why get upset when they, me and others, bail out.

Thanks for your sentiments Harry.

We have been honest with everyone, if you were on the register you would have received several emails in the last 6 months outlining the situation.

There's no B.S Harry, our product, that we've had in the market for over 7 years now, has been copied by a large business who has tried to capitalise on our good name and British Offroad were also allegedly hoodwinked about the situation too.

We're happy that you've got your needs sorted, we're not upset that you and other went and purchased the other product, you did what you had to do and we understand that.

Aaron Mitchell

[MitchellBros4x4]

Hi,
I bought one of the "replacement hitches" from British OFFROAD"

When I went to their website at the time I am sure it advertised it as the Mitch Hitch replacement. I don't believe it does now.

Was I imagining this or not. What did other people find

Richard

You're right Richard, the website did make claims that their component was the replacement mitch hitch, links from their Mitch Hitch page were redirected to the new hitch page etc etc.

Using our name to promote their product is illegal. British Offroad are good guys, they've been clients of ours for a long time and true to their good form they corrected the problem within 24 hours once we raised the issues with them.

[wbowner]

You're right Richard, the website did make claims that their component was the replacement mitch hitch, links from their Mitch Hitch page were redirected to the new hitch page etc etc.

Using our name to promote their product is illegal. British Offroad are good guys, they've been clients of ours for a long time and true to their good form they corrected the problem within 24 hours once we raised the issues with them.

Thanks Aaron,
The guys I have dealt with did seem friendly and very helpful and I am happy you have clarified their involvement.

Do you think they would be agreeable to replacing the new hitch with a Mitch hitch.

Richard

[MitchellBros4x4]

You can only ask, we'll have new stock ready to go very soon.

Have a chat to them and see what they say....

[Nicky]

You can only ask, we'll have new stock ready to go very soon.

Have a chat to them and see what they say....
The link to your webshop is broken

[MitchellBros4x4]

We actually have a new website specifically dedicated to the Mitch Hitch

Mitchell Bros Hi-Rise Tow Hitch – Mitchell Brothers 4x4 & More (http://www.mitchhitch.com.au/products/mitch-hitch?variant=7273621059)

Hope this helps.

Will "polish" up the page in due course......

It's working already, sold out of stock again :( , will have more by the end of the week.

[Jock McD]

Thanks MitchellBros. Ordered my original last week and expecting it to be delivered in the next few days. Hopefully get it fitted next weekend.

[tallents]

I purchase one last week from Mitchell Bros,just got their phone number online & called them, received it 4days later.

[Mungus]

Thought I'd post in this thread as it's more on topic. Got my Mitch Hitch fitted last weekend. Damn nice! Haven't torqued up the bolts yet as I have a question for others that have fitted one, or Aaron if you see this. I centred the outside bush to the tow eye, but the centre tapered bush doesn't appear to compress fully into the outer bush (phone pics below) and as such, positions the hitch to the left a little. Is this just because I haven't torqued up yet? I did do up fairly tight, or should I position the outer bush slightly to the right to compensate?
By the way for anyone worried about this whole die grinder ordeal that is discussed in the other thread; the instructions only mention this in the step after fitting the bush, not for the actual bush. In any case I used a short rat tail file and flat file to easily remove burs and casting imperfections from the vehicles tow eye and lower plate. Good work with the new design Aaron. Very neat, looks good!

[MitchellBros4x4]

Thought I'd post in this thread as it's more on topic. Got my Mitch Hitch fitted last weekend. Damn nice! Haven't torqued up the bolts yet as I have a question for others that have fitted one, or Aaron if you see this. I centred the outside bush to the tow eye, but the centre tapered bush doesn't appear to compress fully into the outer bush (phone pics below) and as such, positions the hitch to the left a little. Is this just because I haven't torqued up yet? I did do up fairly tight, or should I position the outer bush slightly to the right to compensate?
By the way for anyone worried about this whole die grinder ordeal that is discussed in the other thread; the instructions only mention this in the step after fitting the bush, not for the actual bush. In any case I used a short rat tail file and flat file to easily remove burs and casting imperfections from the vehicles tow eye and lower plate. Good work with the new design Aaron. Very neat, looks good!

Hi Neil,

Thanks for your note, happy to help however I can.

We've seen this a few times before, not often though.

There's a few possible causes.


Taper lock bush not centered - This has been the most common cause of misalignment, double check and report back.
Recovery eyelet casting not installed square on the vehicle - Not as common but we have seen casting up to 5mm out of square, they must have multiple castings and they obviously differ.
Hitch not assembled properly - Not likely in current generation batches, our jig has been thoroughly tested and re-tested.


We'd be happy to assist with the fitment if you're local, free of charge.

If you confirm these items are absolutely perfect, please give me a call in the office.....

02 9905 4764

Aaron Mitchell

[strydes]

Mine sits much the same as pictured, ever so slightly to the left. I would have money on that I didn't get the Taper lock perfectly centred.

It's barely noticeable and perfectly functional so doesn't bother me, though should I be at all concerned about strength or longevity Aaron?

[matti4556]

Fitting kit = 4x bolts and nuts, 4x washers and a taper lock bush for $121. Holy crap Batman! :o:o website shows you've sold "thousands" so I would have thought economies of scale should be reflected in your pricing. Surely you've got boxes of bulk bolts in your stock room by now? Or am I missing something here?

[MitchellBros4x4]

Mine sits much the same as pictured, ever so slightly to the left. I would have money on that I didn't get the Taper lock perfectly centred.

It's barely noticeable and perfectly functional so doesn't bother me, though should I be at all concerned about strength or longevity Aaron?


That has an impact, bush not being centered but it's not going effect longevity.

If you've got any concerns, please call me.

02 9905 4764

Aaron Mitchell.

[RobA]

Fitting kit = 4x bolts and nuts, 4x washers and a taper lock bush for $121. Holy crap Batman! :o:o website shows you've sold "thousands" so I would have thought economies of scale should be reflected in your pricing. Surely you've got boxes of bulk bolts in your stock room by now? Or am I missing something here?

Try purchasing original bolts for Rhino Rack gear. $7.00 for one 12mm bolt!!! And they have scale

Rob

[Mungus]

Hi Neil,

Thanks for your note, happy to help however I can.

We've seen this a few times before, not often though.

There's a few possible causes.

Taper lock bush not centered - This has been the most common cause of misalignment, double check and report back.
Recovery eyelet casting not installed square on the vehicle - Not as common but we have seen casting up to 5mm out of square, they must have multiple castings and they obviously differ.
Hitch not assembled properly - Not likely in current generation batches, our jig has been thoroughly tested and re-tested.

We'd be happy to assist with the fitment if you're local, free of charge.

If you confirm these items are absolutely perfect, please give me a call in the office.....

02 9905 4764

Aaron Mitchell


Thanks Aaron,
I removed and checked as per your comments and what do you know, it appears the tow eye is actually a few mm to the left of centre (when measured against the metal plate enclosure that surrounds it) and I also had the bush a couple of mm to the left. Re-centred the bush and once torqued up properly (much more than I had tightened to) it is now centred to my satisfaction. Sometimes I get a little too particular. Once again thanks for a great product.

[Narangga]

That made me go and check mine Mungus and it's offset to the left also.

I may take the trouble to have a look one day and investigate if the D4 recovery hook offset was a carryover from the D3. :D

[LRD414]

Installed my second Mitch Hitch today without too many issues.
However, one thing I found very useful this time was to temporarily remove the 12S (white) trailer plug wiring loom.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/01/891.jpg

This allows plenty of room to install and torque the main hitch bolt. The loom is easy to remove but one of the plastic plugs that holds it to the 12N (black) loom is right above the body weights and I found it tricky to undo, with some skin scraped off my hand. The body weight is visible to the right in this photo.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/01/892.jpg

Plug removed at the other end of the loom....
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/01/893.jpg


I've put the loom back in place with a couple of zip ties and will do this again when the hitch needs to be re-torqued after its first towing duty. I found this method much easier than wrestling with the trailer plug unscrewed but still insitu. Letting the spare wheel down to ground also helps with access to the loom.

Regards,
Scott
PS .... thanks to strydes in this thread for the inspiration:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/223901-12s-tow-electrics-white-plug-removal.html
...