Towbar heights again.

[LandyAndy]

Fossiking around in the shed trying to create some law and order so I can get some camper trailer work done.
Had to remove the D4 hitch so I did some measurements.
It seems I need an inverted 100mm drop towbar for the camper trailer to sit level at normal ride height.Its a fair lift,a factory D2 hitch is the correct height,but they are re-inforced on the underside so I cant fit a Tregg fitting,will need to find an aftermarket reese style hitch.
Anybody used an inverted 100mm drop on a D3 or D4???,do they tow ok???guessing it way outside Land Rovers guidlines.
Andrew

[LGM]

Andrew,

I am working on the theory that there is an element of redundancy built into all aspects of the vehicle for those of us who are at times pushing the envelope.:wasntme:

I tow a Track Trailer TVan which when fully loaded is about 1.5t and around 180kg down force on the ball.

I have been carting it around behind my D4 since 2013 and it never misses a beat. Sits really well and travels like a dream which makes towing so so easy.:cool:

Pic Attached

Linds

[RickO]

Hi Andrew,

I have a MitchHitch and needed to drop the height for the treg hitch for my offroad Jayco and went with a 3.5t adjustable hitch from PROBAR - very happy.

TRAILER BALL MOUNT - 3.5T ADJUSTABLE - $150.00 : PROBAR, Trailer, Caravan, Towing Parts and Accessories (http://www.probar.net.au/shop/index.php'main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=1292)

They also do a 2.5t model:

TRAILER BALL MOUNT - 2.5T ADJUSTABLE - $95.00 : PROBAR, Trailer, Caravan, Towing Parts and Accessories (http://www.probar.net.au/shop/index.php'main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=1083&zenid=2203320ff132179a235517c9f1774f2a)

Just one note though, the tongue ended up being too long so I had to cut it down and re drill the pin hole.

Cheers,
Paul

[LandyAndy]

Andrew,

I am working on the theory that there is an element of redundancy built into all aspects of the vehicle for those of us who are at times pushing the envelope.:wasntme:

I tow a Track Trailer TVan which when fully loaded is about 1.5t and around 180kg down force on the ball.

I have been carting it around behind my D4 since 2013 and it never misses a beat. Sits really well and travels like a dream which makes towing so so easy.:cool:

Pic Attached

Linds

That will help,any idea what brand the hitch is.
It should bring it up to the same height as the D2,which I made it for.Was concerned the lower tailgate wouldnt be able to be opened,it will be close as I have a tregg hitch.It missed the door on the D2 by mms ON LEVEL GROUND!!!!,at least we have an upper hatch.
Andrew

[LGM]

Andrew,

Can't see a name stamped on the hitch itself. When I bought it from the Caravan dealer it was in a bin of like hitches marked Hayman Reese. Mind you that means nothing as they no doubt buy the things by the job lot!

My TVan has a Hitchmaster DO35 hitch and when coupled to the D4 the tailgate clears the hitch by around 10 to 15mm.

Lindsay

[wbowner]

Andrew
I used a 100mm+ drop, inverted or as they call it the rise to tow a van around
I was using the LR d4 hitch

It was a hayman Reese one

I can't remember the model number and am on the road so can't check, sorry.

It towed ok

I now have a Mitch hitch and a different TBM.


Richard

[kelvo]

Would have thought a Mitch Hitch would let you use a 'normal' tow-bar.

Land Rover parts and servicing specialists - British Off Road - Mitchell Bros (http://www.britishoffroad.com/products/mitchellbros.aspx)

[wbowner]

Would have thought a Mitch Hitch would let you use a 'normal' tow-bar.

Land Rover parts and servicing specialists - British Off Road - Mitchell Bros (http://www.britishoffroad.com/products/mitchellbros.aspx)

As mentioned I have a new one, TBM, with the Mitch hitch, I used a 100mm rise when I had the LR hitch
TBM = tow ball mount

I use new TBM to tow van and the old one ,non inverted , to tow my trailer



Richard

[LandyAndy]

Thanks Guys.
I do prefer the Mitch hitch,mainly due to clearance and the spare wheel accses,however Im thinking I will get an adjustable hitch to expirement with first.I may have to sacrifice some trailer nose down to open the the lower tailgate whilst travelling.At the moment I havent got my engel cubby/slide installed,just have the 80lt engel sitting at the rear on the rear seats removed floor,I actually prefer this setup to the cubby box.However once travelling it will need to go in which means the lower door needs to be opened to slide the fridge.Will also need to swap the spring mechanism on the tregg pin so excess length protrudes below the hitch rather than on top,guessing that is a no brainer.
Andrew

[wbowner]

Thanks Guys.
I do prefer the Mitch hitch,mainly due to clearance and the spare wheel accses,however Im thinking I will get an adjustable hitch to expirement with first.I may have to sacrifice some trailer nose down to open the the lower tailgate whilst travelling.At the moment I havent got my engel cubby/slide installed,just have the 80lt engel sitting at the rear on the rear seats removed floor,I actually prefer this setup to the cubby box.However once travelling it will need to go in which means the lower door needs to be opened to slide the fridge.Will also need to swap the spring mechanism on the tregg pin so excess length protrudes below the hitch rather than on top,guessing that is a no brainer.
Andrew
Andrew
You will need to raise the fridge slide else it will hit the tailgate.

Richard

[LandyAndy]

Andrew
You will need to raise the fridge slide else it will hit the tailgate.

Richard

I made the cubby box to suit the seats removed,it needs the lower tailgate down to slide out the engel,hence my concerns about the height of the treg hitch preventing the lower tailgate opening.
The big problem is when I made the trailer I made it to suit my D2 with 2" lift and running 235/85 tyres,tregg hitch height is around 500mm.If it doesnt work the next easiest compromise is using smaller tyres,dont really want to do that.Changing the tregg hitch height is doable but a major job,I over engineered whats there now!!!!
Andrew

[BMKal]

Hey Andrew - I can slide my fridge out without opening / lowering the bottom tailgate. I ended up fitting the Boab drawer / boxes system that was in the D2 and that had my fridge slide on the right hand side. Perfect height for the fridge to slide out over the "low" section of the bottom tailgate.

But then again, I've only got a normal (40 litre) size fridge. I'm not carrying around something that belongs in a commercial kitchen. :p:p:p

[Redback]

Stop fartarsing about Andy and just get a Mitch Hitch:cool:

Baz.

[LRD414]

Andy, how hard would it be to change Tregg to DO35? Much lower vertical profile. This would help the tail gate issue I think.

Scott

96713

[LandyAndy]

Andy, how hard would it be to change Tregg to DO35? Much lower vertical profile. This would help the tail gate issue I think.

Scott

96713

What does the trailer part of the DO35 look like Scott???Ive never seen one.
Andrew

[LRD414]

Drops on to pin and is only slightly higher than the pin. Little black push button engages the spring loaded locking ring in to pin groove.

Apart from being an excellent hitch, I went this way to leave room for the tailgate even with a Mitch Hitch.

I think the height is ~550 from ground to tongue.

Scott

96724

[LRD414]

Also I think bolt pattern to draw bar is standard so may be directly interchangeable with Tregg. Could be wrong on this but recall that was a feature of the DO35.

[TerryO]

Hi Andrew,

Like LRD414 says the DO35 is a great hitch and very compact and far less hassle than a Tregg, but there is another even easier option though it isn't as compact as a DO35. It is especially good for those who are towing big vans and or towing connecting up / disconnecting on their own and find it a hassle.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=31Q-i9RKseQ

[bobakers]

Hi

I had the Mitchell Brothers hi rise hitch and McHitch auto coupling on my D3 and 3.4 ton mobile gin palace. Worked a treat and made it very easy to hitch up.

Will have the same set up on ether the RRS of R4 I'm hunting for.

By the way anyone fitted the Mitchell Brothers hi rise hitch to a RRS???

Regards
Bob

[LandyAndy]

Also I think bolt pattern to draw bar is standard so may be directly interchangeable with Tregg. Could be wrong on this but recall that was a feature of the DO35.

Unfortunately mine is fully welded.The only chance is if the DO35 has the same rotating tunnel as the Tregg,certainly looks similar.Will call into Martins Trailer Parts next time Im in the city to check.
Andrew

[Redback]

I also have the Mitchell Bros Hitch and McHitch coupling, love it, best combination I've had so far, so easy to hitch up and on your own too, quiet when towing also.

Baz.

[NavyDiver]

Hi Andrew
I use a Mitch hitch for off road clearance with a straight tow hitch for camping trailer or recovery hitch receiver and a adjustable hight hitch one for my boat which would be far to high at the front and low at the back if I didn't.

https://www.autobarn.com.au/pro-series-ball-mount-towbar-ac31643

I bottomed out too often with the land rover hitch and am not a fan.