Upgrade to Mitch Hitch or stick with standard D4 hitch

[Ashes]

I currently have a D3 for a few more days that I fitted a Mitch Hitch to a few years ago. When I upgraded tvhe hitch it was for 2 reasons..no plough affect and that it could not drop out of the mount. Brilliant piece of kit that never let me down and could be relied upon. Just working out if I need to transfer it to the new ride.

What I never liked was how it interfered with the parking sensors unless they were half blanked out and the amount it projected from the rear.

I’m just about to move to a D4 as I’m now towing a large van instead of the camper trailer and want to know if it still a almost mandatory upgrade. I note the standard D4 Hitch now sits higher so it’s less of a plough but not sure if it still has the potential for falling out like a few of the D3 ones did.

Is is still a must do upgrade on the D4 for towing large off road vans?
Also, does the Mitch Hitch still interfere with the rear parking sensors?

Appreciate thoughts from those who regularly tow large loads. Thanks.

[Bytemrk]

If you are ever likely to tow off road, I'd definitely swap it over.

[Chops]

We now tow a 21+' van with the standard hitch. No problems what so ever, although, if I was to tackle the "rough" stuff, I'd probably remove the tongue. I actually bought a MH, but on sold it as I decided it wasn't necessary.Yet to be proven wrong, But I suspect I'll never tow a small trailer into the high country again, or across the Simpson.

[DiscoJeffster]

I have a camper trailer and a D4 hitch and it’s been fine towing off-road. MH is good for big vans which sit higher than normal, or where extreme departure angles are needed. As the spare wheel on mine is underneath I’d likely damage that at the same time as hitting the hitch so I don’t see the point in my case.

[LRD414]

Sensor interference is odd; around MY14 has none but earlier and later years do get interference. To me it’s necessity depends on the drawbar height of what you’re towing and importance of departure angle. Mine was perfect for the camper trailer and now slightly higher than required for our off-road van but I’m still very glad to have it. Good step up to the rear ladder and mounting point for Stone Stomper bracket too.

Scott

[Grumpygreg]

I have a D4 and towed a full off-road van though GRR last year with the standard hitch, all up weight about 6100kg. We have had no issues with the standard hitch, either dragging on the ground or movement in the hitch.
So from my experience I am happy with the standard hitch.
Cheers
Greg

[dirvine]

I have a off road caravan that does angle towards the towbar when hooked up to the car. So I reversed the tongue. This then made the caravan sit level. But on start up the car must have sensors on the weight being applied at the back and suddenly the rear of the car started to rise, making the front of the van sit up more than level. So I just reverted back to the tongue angled down and now notice the van is lightly leaning forward when on the road driving. I also considered the MH, but as I am not taking this van into real off road 4WD tracks where articulation etc is essential, I just live with "plough". So far I have had no problem with articulation other than my RHS rear light has been "collected" twice by the caravan stone guard.

[loanrangie]

I think the stock D4 hitch will be fine for most people, the D3 hitch is ok if your an Amish farmer so i went to the mitch hitch, Reverse sensors go off which i will address shortly and it sticks out a bit but makes for a very useful step.[thumbsupbig]

[RHS58]

I have a Mitch Hitch and reverse sensors are fine with it.
Different story when the tow ball mount is attached.

i was never happy that the OEM equipment was high enough, and also wasn’t going to fall out, as didn’t seem to be much holding it in place.

[discomatt69]

If your interested I will buy the Mitch hitch and can supply my D4 factory hitch. The D4 hitch is fine in 99% of the time but I do tow a off road camper through the VHC so the higher hitch would be an advantage for me and save the better half spotting through the tougher bits.

[Ashes]

My car i’m told is coming with a standard hitch so I won’t we needing a swap I hope. A little nervous that this won’t be the case but will find out for sure on Saturday.

I’m unlikely to get the van into a situation where it will be hanging up on the standard towbar. If I do I’m probably hopelessly lost. Bit of a different story with my previous camper trailer.

As as long as I can get the van height correct I’ll probably stick with the D4 hitch for a while and sell my Mitch Hitch at a later date.

Are there any stories of the D4 hitch dropping out? I did read a couple about D3 ones.

[ATH]

I've stayed with the standard equipment on our 2016 D4 and it's adequate for everything we do and that includes mild off road stuff. If I was to go mountain climbing I wouldn't be towing a van or camper anyway.
When I attach the tow hitch I always check the thing is properly fitted by feeling if the locating bar that comes out is fully extended. Don't see how that can drop out if it is.
No way was I paying 700 + bucks for something made of a bit of box tubing and a bit of welding to solve a problem which for us doesn't exist.
AlanH

[101RRS]

No way was I paying 700 + bucks for something made of a bit of box tubing and a bit of welding to solve a problem which for us doesn't exist.
AlanH

But you will pay the same for the OEM offering that does not do all that the Mitch Hitch can. Bang the OEM hitch on a few big rocks and see how soon the fatigue cracks set in.

[Eric SDV6SE]

We’ve towed an off road camper across OZ and now a larger semi off road van all around WA with the standard D4 hitch and Trig Bros polyblock hitch. Absolutely no issues. When I first ought the car (2nd owner) I took the D4 hitch to a LockSmith as I did not have the key. They redid the lock, 2 new keys and serviced the entire hitch for about 50 bucks. I’ve also cleaned out the receiver and I always spray the receiver and hitch with WD 40 after every trip. Has. Or let me down yet. The hitch locates very securely into the receiver in the car and I always lock it in place.

Re the rear sensors, you need to install load resistors into the wiring for each of the trailers signal wires, this sends a pulse signal to the car so that it knows you are towing a trailer. This then cancels the reverse sensors as well as the vehicles auto levelling feature.

Cheers

Eric

[PeterJ]

+1 for chops and grumpygreg, I'm in the same boat, no need.
You can also get 3.5T rated raised towballs if you need small adjustment in height to get the van level. Much less height change than inverting the tongue.
Peter

[ATH]

"Bang the OEM hitch on a few big rocks and see how soon the fatigue cracks set in. " That may be a problem for some but as I said it won't be for me. The OME hitch receiver isn't attached full time and only goes on when our small off road van is attached.
If others want to drag their van/camper over rocks etc. that's up to them. If they want to do it with something costing that much for what are just cheap materials in a box saying made in Oz, that too is up to them.
I know my limitations and know when not to bother trying something just for the sake of it. The OME part is adequate as far as I'm concerned.
AlanH.

[owlie]

Hi, I've had a similar hitch to the Mitch Hitch on a D4 for four yrs.
Not sure if it interferes with the sensors but the rear wheel carrier certainly does.

I would go with the Mitch or similar for sure. Haven't had any problems & I have a ball thats 500mm off the ground without any fancy adjustable receivers.My off road Zone van sits level & tows like perfectly with no moving around.
Well worth the swap.
Cheers


I currently have a D3 for a few more days that I fitted a Mitch Hitch to a few years ago. When I upgraded tvhe hitch it was for 2 reasons..no plough affect and that it could not drop out of the mount. Brilliant piece of kit that never let me down and could be relied upon. Just working out if I need to transfer it to the new ride.

What I never liked was how it interfered with the parking sensors unless they were half blanked out and the amount it projected from the rear.

I’m just about to move to a D4 as I’m now towing a large van instead of the camper trailer and want to know if it still a almost mandatory upgrade. I note the standard D4 Hitch now sits higher so it’s less of a plough but not sure if it still has the potential for falling out like a few of the D3 ones did.

Is is still a must do upgrade on the D4 for towing large off road vans?
Also, does the Mitch Hitch still interfere with the rear parking sensors?

Appreciate thoughts from those who regularly tow large loads. Thanks.

[DNB]

I got my Mitch Hitch fitted last week..... a great bit of kit and don't regret buying it for a second!!! It gives me so much more ground clearance compared to the stock D4 hitch and would be many times stronger than the stock hitch due to the 3 BIG Bolts holding it on.

For me, I pretty much had to get the Mitch Hitch as we have an Offroad Camper Trailer and want to use it as such (ours is no Caravan Park queen LOL). Therefore the "plough" had to go. Also, the front end of our Camper Trailer was way too low and not level enough with the stock hitch, even with the Towball Receiver swapped around the other way.

Everyone will try to justify their own decision on whether they did or didn't buy a Mitch Hitch, just do what you think best for YOU and your family. Bear in mind..... the White Bushing that goes through the Recovery Point (see 1st pic below) in the Disco is supposed to be a one time use item!!!

In regards to the rear parking sensors, it's a bit weird..... we had temporarily fitted the Mitch Hitch to our 2015 D4, but I had to go out for an appointment, so drove off with it tight, but not permanently "fitted", while I was out and put the car in reverse it sensed the Mitch Hitch was "in the way"...... but once I had gone back to the mechanics and completed the final fitting to the Mitch Hitch, the rear sensors didn't go off anymore? I haven't yet tried, but I'm sure that when I put the Towball Receiver in, the rear sensors would go off...... to fix it I bought a couple of 19mm rubber grommets from Clark Rubber to stick to the inner two rear sensors.


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/04/492.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/04/493.jpg

[jimbotron]

I got my Mitch Hitch fitted last week..... a great bit of kit and don't regret buying it for a second!!! It gives me so much more ground clearance compared to the stock D4 hitch and would be many times stronger than the stock hitch due to the 3 BIG Bolts holding it on.

For me, I pretty much had to get the Mitch Hitch as we have an Offroad Camper Trailer and want to use it as such (ours is no Caravan Park queen LOL). Therefore the "plough" had to go. Also, the front end of our Camper Trailer was way too low and not level enough with the stock hitch, even with the Towball Receiver swapped around the other way.

Everyone will try to justify their own decision on whether they did or didn't buy a Mitch Hitch, just do what you think best for YOU and your family. Bear in mind..... the White Bushing that goes through the Recovery Point (see 1st pic below) in the Disco is supposed to be a one time use item!!!

In regards to the rear parking sensors, it's a bit weird..... we had temporarily fitted the Mitch Hitch to our 2015 D4, but I had to go out for an appointment, so drove off with it tight, but not permanently "fitted", while I was out and put the car in reverse it sensed the Mitch Hitch was "in the way"...... but once I had gone back to the mechanics and completed the final fitting to the Mitch Hitch, the rear sensors didn't go off anymore? I haven't yet tried, but I'm sure that when I put the Towball Receiver in, the rear sensors would go off...... to fix it I bought a couple of 19mm rubber grommets from Clark Rubber to stick to the inner two rear sensors.


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/04/492.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/04/493.jpg

Could you show a picture of the rubber grommets?

Also, did you buy a recovery block?

[DNB]

Sorry, these are the only pics I have of the Bushings.......

Note: The reason there is a bolt going through the bushings in the pic, is because they had to do that to squeeze together the bushings enough to be able to fit the Hitch on.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/04/505.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/04/506.jpg

[DiscoTech]

"to fix it I bought a couple of 19mm rubber grommets from Clark Rubber to stick to the inner two rear sensors."

"Could you show a picture of the rubber grommets?"

[DNB]

Could you show a picture of the rubber grommets?

Also, did you buy a recovery block?

Sorry for not replying to this in my previous post, but Yes, I bought a Recovery Block/Receiver like the one in the pic below :)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/04/512.jpg

[DNB]

"to fix it I bought a couple of 19mm rubber grommets from Clark Rubber to stick to the inner two rear sensors."

"Could you show a picture of the rubber grommets?"

Sorry, I don't have a picture right now of them, but the link is here for them (mine are the 19mm ones)....... Blind Grommet - Rubber Seals and Moulding | Clark Rubber (https://www.clarkrubber.com.au/blind-grommet)

I will get them fitted on the weekend and try to post pics here.

[loanrangie]

DNB, my sensor only goes off the first time i reverse out of the drive and after i stop for a short time before moving again it doesn't beep.

[DNB]

DNB, my sensor only goes off the first time i reverse out of the drive and after i stop for a short time before moving again it doesn't beep.

sounds like a typical Land Rover "quirk", haha

[Eevo]

i dub thee "shin-smasher"

139355

139356
139357

[loanrangie]

I'd be lopping a few inches of that Evo, too much leverage.

[101RRS]

Exactly - needs a couple of inches off it and the pin hole redrilled.

[Eevo]

it was perfect on the d2.
i've got 2 others here, see if their shorter and i can swap the treg thingie over.

[101RRS]

I would loose the treg as well and get something more modern.

[Eevo]

I would loose the treg as well and get something more modern.

why and such as?

[Eevo]

shorter

139364

[101RRS]

why and such as?Be

Because they are a pain to get all lined up - modern hitches are in many respects self aligning so near enough is good enough.

There are a few on the market - here is one McHitch Trailer Couplings (https://www.mchitch.com.au/) or NEW HITCHMASTER(R) DO35 V3 Coupling (http://www.vehiclecomponents.com.au/hitches-couplings/new-hitchmaster-do35-v3-coupling)

[DI5CO]

I can vouch for the DO 35, we use them on our trailers and I’ve just come back from a 4000k trip and they as so easy to use.

[Ashes]

I’ll finally get some time tomorrow to check my setup and work out if I should transfer the MH. I suspect as my D035 is mounted under the drawbar and mounting the pin with a bit of a rise I might be OK height wise.

[Homestar]

I don't think there's anything actually bad about using a Treg but they are just a pain to line up. I've got the DO35 V3 now and love it, and that's only on a road going van, but I've always hated 50mm ball hitches and have found their limits towing my old van down a couole of short tracks, so I went with the DO35 after seeing a couple of friends here got them and demonstrate them.

[Ashes]

Got around to towing the van with the D4 factory hitch receiver. Overall about 100mm lower after inverting the tow bar and pin but is still reasonably level or near enough overall. I guess the D4 might be load levelling anyway. Will take the van away for a longer trip in a few weeks so will give it a good run then before making a decision to keep it or not.

Big grin though is the power of the SDV6 compared to the D3 4.0 Petrol. So much easier brining the van up to traffic speed.

[bremund]

Does anyone know where to get the mitch hitch in Sydney?

[101RRS]

Maybe look at their website [thumbsupbig]

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

They are in Brookvale.

[bremund]

Maybe look at their website [thumbsupbig]

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

They are in Brookvale.

They don't have them [bighmmm]

[loanrangie]

They don't have them [bighmmm]The manufacturer doesn't have any ?

[discomatt69]

Sold out according to the site, and for what they charge that is astounding, the same / very similar product for $200 less.
Now that I have mentioned that, is there any difference in quality or product to justify the price?

[DAMINK]

Im building a trailer camper currently. I looked at those Hitches yesterday actually.
Cant get that pic out of my head where one is snapped. A member here posted it.
And looking at the quality of the welds on the units i looked at i was not happy at all with them.
I plan to go the traditional route.

[discomatt69]

Im building a trailer camper currently. I looked at those Hitches yesterday actually.
Cant get that pic out of my head where one is snapped. A member here posted it.
And looking at the quality of the welds on the units i looked at i was not happy at all with them.
I plan to go the traditional route.
So which one had broken? A Mitch Hitch or the copy? I did see the photo of the standard hitch that had broken, personally I think it had been belted on to many rocks...

[bremund]

The manufacturer doesn't have any ?


Sold out according to the site, and for what they charge that is astounding, the same / very similar product for $200 less.
Now that I have mentioned that, is there any difference in quality or product to justify the price?

They have sold out, but are manufacturing more.

[101RRS]

So which one had broken? A Mitch Hitch or the copy? I did see the photo of the standard hitch that had broken, personally I think it had been belted on to many rocks...

Exactly - never heard of a Mitchell Bros tow bar breaking - as usual Damink does tend to get confused - the pic he is referring to is a D3 OEM hitch which he replaced with a Mitchell Bros tow bar.

Never heard anything negative about the Mitchell Bros tow bar - if fact nothing but praise.

The other thing is that the Mitchell Bros tow bar is Aust Certified and carries the label - does the cheap versions? Where are the cheap ones made?

Garry

[LRJim]

as usual Damink does tend to get confused

Be careful he will spit the dummy again hahaha just having a play with him!

[discomatt69]

4wd industries and British off road do them for less than 600, both have ADR compliance and rated 3500 tow weight and 350 ball weight

[101RRS]

They look like a knock off of the Mitchell Bros tow bar - Mitchell Bros do all the design work and then someone else takes that design - modifies it slightly without having to do the R&D.

[DiscoJeffster]

They look like a knock off of the Mitchell Bros tow bar - Mitchell Bros do all the design work and then someone else takes that design - modifies it slightly without having to do the R&D.

That’s why there is a patent system to allow inventors to cash in for a period until the patent expires and to protect them. If it’s not worth applying for a patent then the potential value of the item isn’t of great significance in the scheme of things. I don’t deny there are costs associated but those should be outweighed by the monopoly gained.

[DAMINK]

Exactly - never heard of a Mitchell Bros tow bar breaking - as usual Damink does tend to get confused - the pic he is referring to is a D3 OEM hitch which he replaced with a Mitchell Bros tow bar.

Never heard anything negative about the Mitchell Bros tow bar - if fact nothing but praise.

The other thing is that the Mitchell Bros tow bar is Aust Certified and carries the label - does the cheap versions? Where are the cheap ones made?

Garry


I have to go back there in a day or 2. I will take a pic of the unit for you. Not sure of the brand, although i did not think i mentioned brand...

[discomatt69]

They look like a knock off of the Mitchell Bros tow bar - Mitchell Bros do all the design work and then someone else takes that design - modifies it slightly without having to do the R&D.

Yes that's it exactly but charging over $700 for a couple of bits of metal welded together is highway robbery IMO, $100 materials ( way over actual cost ) $300 labor, 2 hours at 150/hour or 3 hours for a chimp getting paid $22, $200 on top of the material and labor profits for the boss to line his pockets and its still 130 cheaper than what they charge.[bighmmm]

[Chops]

They look like a knock off of the Mitchell Bros tow bar - Mitchell Bros do all the design work and then someone else takes that design - modifies it slightly without having to do the R&D.


I spoke to the owner of them a while ago about this,,, there's a little more to it than that,, he was just a tad cranky over the situation to put it mildly.

[matti4556]

Cranky? - cranky because his good idea is worth copying.... or cranky because he knows nothing about applying for a patent?
Henry Ford must have been a very very angry man - everyone copied his idea! Pesky car manufacturers.
I'm not feeling sorry for a fabricator being cranky because he forgot to apply good business principles in his business. Its all about employing people and sub-contractors and consultants to do that sort of thing for you if you have no idea yourself. Put it down to experience. I see this everyday with people coming to me with new ideas. The first question I ask them is "are you going o patent the idea? If you are I don't want to hear about it until you do".
And I agree with Discojeffster - if it wasn't worth patenting, then it isn't worth the tears.
Matti

[Chops]

I’ve got no idea if he had a patent or not,, as I said, there’s more to the story than someone just copying a design.

[DAMINK]

Dont patents last a long time? 10 years or something?
I dont recall seeing these sort of things that long ago. Couple of years is all...
First one of these i seen was a mc hitch on tv. Seemed like a really good unit and thats why i investigated it further.

[loanrangie]

Patent or not our Asian neighbours don't care , plenty of copies on eBay from China and Taiwan.

[DiscoJeffster]

Patent or not our Asian neighbours don't care , plenty of copies on eBay from China and Taiwan.

Of a Mitch hitch? I highly doubt it. We’re not talking iPhones here lol.
I agree that China will knock things off and there are avenues to deal with that, but realistically that’s well off topic. A Mitch hitch is not going to become a Chinese second unless it’s at the request of a local firm who we can file a patent restraint upon etc.

[loanrangie]

Of a Mitch hitch? I highly doubt it. We’re not talking iPhones here lol.
I agree that China will knock things off and there are avenues to deal with that, but realistically that’s well off topic. A Mitch hitch is not going to become a Chinese second unless it’s at the request of a local firm who we can file a patent restraint upon etc.Check them out, pretty close to a mh in design.

[discomatt69]

I have never seen a cheap Asian copy, and I have been looking for a 2nd hand or cheaper option for 12 months now. All the Chinese stuff is very different and bolts on where the chain attachments are not onto the recovery hitch like the ones available here so will hang down similar to the standard hitch

[loanrangie]

Yeah not exactly the same .

[jonesy63]

Yeah not exactly the same .

Agree - they are not the same. Otherwise they would have been able to legally stop the other mob from continuing production. P

[donh54]

There's that language barrier again! Translate "copyright" into some Asian languages, and it comes out as "right to copy"!!!

[dannyboydownunder]

Hi, I've had a similar hitch to the Mitch Hitch on a D4 for four yrs.
Not sure if it interferes with the sensors but the rear wheel carrier certainly does.

I would go with the Mitch or similar for sure. Haven't had any problems & I have a ball thats 500mm off the ground without any fancy adjustable receivers.My off road Zone van sits level & tows like perfectly with no moving around.
Well worth the swap.
Cheers

I have a MY12 D4 and just purchased a new off road caravan and the manufacturer says it will have a DO35 hitch which will be 550mm off the ground. My current stock D4 ball with the TBM in inverted position is only about 450mm off the ground so I need something to raise the height about 100mm. I have also been looking at the Hayman Reese catalogue and seems that they have a TBM with a 170mm rise in inverted position which should get me close to 550mm. Cost is about $300.
Any other suggested solutions? Maybe Mitch Hitch?

[ATH]

But you will pay the same for the OEM offering that does not do all that the Mitch Hitch can. Bang the OEM hitch on a few big rocks and see how soon the fatigue cracks set in.
As I said, if we're going off road and I don't mean driving gravel roads, but real dirt play and no van etc behind us, the hitch wouldn't be attached.
We've travelled many miles with the van behind us and had no problems, if others have, maybe they should check what they're doing with the vehicle and whether they need the hitch to be in when they're doing it.
AlanH.

[Tins]

We’re not talking iPhones here lol.


You're right, you're not. There is no company on the planet more aggressive in protecting their brand than . And yet iPhone "copies" exist. They are absolute rubbish, but exist they do.

[Tins]

Agree - they are not the same. Otherwise they would have been able to legally stop the other mob from continuing production. P

Only if they were being sold here through a local company, and even then that would not stop production, only the sale. Laws passed here, on the US, or anywhere else for that matter, have no impact on activities in China. There is no compulsion for them to obey. Only the CCCP can enforce laws in China, and they don't care. Why would they?

The online marketplace people get around it by having stuff sold on a site based in another country also not controlled by our laws.

[haydent]

3D printed parking sensor shield for Mitch Hitch
(https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l320-range-rover-sport/293374-3d-printed-parking-sensor-shield-mitch-hitch.html)
Stops the reverse parking sensors from being triggered by an aftermarket raised tow hitch, such as "Mitch Hitch"