Tow Ball and Tongue

[DiscoSaffa]

Hi there

Is there any reason that I need to use the Land Rover tow ball and tongue in the hitch attachment, for reasons of clearance to the bumper etc etc……. there are numerous ones available that fit, and cost considerably less…….

[disco2hse]

None whatsoever.

Generally speaking it depends on what you are towing, it's weight, whether it's braked, that kind of thing. You can have several fittings for different purposes if you prefer, or you could have one for each day of the week, and painted a different colour to suit your mood :D:p

Alan

[CaverD3]

No reason why you should use the LR one.
If clearance is an issue (or you want to get to the spare wheel) then get a Mitch Hitch.

[DiscoSaffa]

No reason why you should use the LR one.
If clearance is an issue (or you want to get to the spare wheel) then get a Mitch Hitch.

Thought about that, but at this stage for what I want to tow, the Mitch Hitch seems a little excessive.... and dear....... I was more worried about clearance between the ball and the bumper, but I guess that is just a case of fitting it and checking.....

[CaverD3]

Agree, Mitch Hitch is really more for off road towing but it has other advantages as you can leave it in and still get to the spare and it doesn't get caught on your driveway.
If you tow occasionally and don't tow off road then there is no point in it. You need to get a different tongue and ball for it anyway.

[gghaggis]

You can also get the new D4's revised hitch and use that on the D3 - solves the spare wheel dilemma and sits a little higher.

Cheers,

Gordon

[DiscoSaffa]

You can also get the new D4's revised hitch and use that on the D3 - solves the spare wheel dilemma and sits a little higher.

Cheers,

Gordon

Mitch Hitch has gotta be cheaper than this option! :D

[CaverD3]

No price on LR revised yet and won't be in stock until March I think. Similar price I would think. Much better design (you can get at the spare) but only about 40mm higher than old one.

[RickO]

Hi All,

Not too mention that the Mitchell Bros website has had the Mitch Hitch as "coming shortly" for about 6 months....... Pay now and reserve your huitch on a first come first served basis as their website suggests - yeah right......

[CaverD3]

They are made in batches. Last lot sold quick due to Overlander article. Some of the resellers may have some in stock.
I know they had some more recently than that so maybe Aaron is being slack updating the site.:angel:

[shining]

Just called British Off Road - 07 5445 1094. They still have 4-5 in stock. I got mine mail order through them a few months ago. Posting was no problem.

Happy towing
Steve.

[outbacktourer]

Just ordered a D4, hitch/wiring option was $600 something before LCT. Said thanks but no thanks, much the same as Mitch Hitch.

[CaverD3]

You may still need the wiring ki or get an autoelectrician to wire it in. Connects just behind the left hand panel in the boot.
You never know it might come wired anyway.

[outbacktourer]

You could be right. I figured I'll just wait and see what turns up and go from there..

OBT

[CaverD3]

Good idea. :BigThumb:

[outbacktourer]

D4 has turned up as you can see from the Avatar and profile pics. First big trip with the camper went well.

Here's the deal on the towing set-up. It arrived pre-wired with the S and N plugs but to UK spec. The hitch reciever was supplied (tucked away P/S/R). All I needed was the tongue, which I have a selection of.

I had a P3 wired in along with an anderson with power to the rear. I gave the sparky sinergy's instructions and then had to rewire the blue wire when I got it home because the sparky thought he knew better (he didn't).

Ride height for my Aussie Swag off road camper was perfect with an inverted 2" dropped tongue.

OBT

[Preacher]

You can also get the new D4's revised hitch and use that on the D3 - solves the spare wheel dilemma and sits a little higher.

Cheers,

Gordon

Gordon
how do they compare in price - D4 & Mitchell Bros

dj

[Dorko]

I paid $350 for my D4 towball. Not sure if thats expensive or not...

Dorko

[DiscoSaffa]

I paid $350 for my D4 towball. Not sure if thats expensive or not...

Dorko

Is that just the tongue and ball? if so, is about 3 times what i paid at ARB...... :o

[Dorko]

Yeah just the tongue and ball. Everything else was ready set up as standard.

Atleast going forward i now know i can get a relacment at ARB for a 1/4 of the cost! :eek:

Dorko

[CSBrisie]

"sinergy's instructions" ?

[sniegy]

I think he meant 'Sniegy's ' instructions for Electric trailer brakes...

I have done 2 posts for these to be fitted with pics.

Disco 3.
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/51521-electric-trailer-brake-wired-photo.html

Disco 4.
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/97935-d4-electric-trailer-brakes.html

Go to page 4 for Disco 4 pics as they are clearer.

Any questions dont hesitate to ask or PM me.

Cheers.

[ADMIRAL]

Yeah just the tongue and ball. Everything else was ready set up as standard.

Atleast going forward i now know i can get a relacment at ARB for a 1/4 of the cost! :eek:

Dorko
Are you talking about the same thing ? If it is the genuine "small plough " D4 towhitch assembly, you cannot buy that at ARB. What did you buy at ARB Discosaffa ? A Reese style towing lug and ball ?

[DiscoSaffa]

Are you talking about the same thing ? If it is the genuine "small plough " D4 towhitch assembly, you cannot buy that at ARB. What did you buy at ARB Discosaffa ? A Reese style towing lug and ball ?

Just the tow ball and tongue, to fit the standard D3 plough.......

[Dirty3]

D4 has turned up as you can see from the Avatar and profile pics. First big trip with the camper went well.

Ride height for my Aussie Swag off road camper was perfect with an inverted 2" dropped tongue.


Thanks for the info OBT. Roughly how heavy is the Aussie Swag camper? I got a price for the Mitch Hitch today....costs 10% of what my camper I bought last weekend does....$800 fitted. I understand it's good, well designed as well, but it's a lump of steel :thumbsdown:! $630 off the Mitch website.

Surely it's possible to fit a tongue with a raised lift + extended away from bumper? Will this be safe with the "Plough" (love that description)? I am reading many differing reports, safe / not safe, MUST use a Mitch Hitch, Don't have to use a Mitch Hitch? What do I do. I am towing the camper to Flinders Ranges next month mostly bitumen some dirt roads but no off-road.

Do I really have to fork out $800? Anyone with suggestions/photo's of their set ups and towing limitations i.e. weighs etc.

Thanks Neil.

[CaverD3]

If towing an off road camper you are better with the Mitch Hitch or the D4 hitch.
Otherwise the tow point is low and you have to take the trailer off the get at the spare (unless you have a wheel carrier)

[ADMIRAL]

Thanks for the info OBT. Roughly how heavy is the Aussie Swag camper? I got a price for the Mitch Hitch today....costs 10% of what my camper I bought last weekend does....$800 fitted. I understand it's good, well designed as well, but it's a lump of steel :thumbsdown:! $630 off the Mitch website.

Surely it's possible to fit a tongue with a raised lift + extended away from bumper? Will this be safe with the "Plough" (love that description)? I am reading many differing reports, safe / not safe, MUST use a Mitch Hitch, Don't have to use a Mitch Hitch? What do I do. I am towing the camper to Flinders Ranges next month mostly bitumen some dirt roads but no off-road.

Do I really have to fork out $800? Anyone with suggestions/photo's of their set ups and towing limitations i.e. weighs etc.

Thanks Neil.

I take it you have ruled out fitting it yourself ?

[CaverD3]

Easy to fit really.

[Disco4SE]

Hi Neil,
I fitted the Mitchell Bros hitch to my D3 myself (se photo below).
I had it colour coded to suit my vehicle. The hardest bit was getting the horizontal bolts through the chasis ring. The other was cutting out the plastic cover so that it looked neat.
I have the standard hitch on my D4 and found it a good height for my boat, trailers etc.
27888
Cheers, Craig

[outbacktourer]

Thanks for the info OBT. Roughly how heavy is the Aussie Swag camper? I got a price for the Mitch Hitch today....costs 10% of what my camper I bought last weekend does....$800 fitted. I understand it's good, well designed as well, but it's a lump of steel :thumbsdown:! $630 off the Mitch website.

Surely it's possible to fit a tongue with a raised lift + extended away from bumper? Will this be safe with the "Plough" (love that description)? I am reading many differing reports, safe / not safe, MUST use a Mitch Hitch, Don't have to use a Mitch Hitch? What do I do. I am towing the camper to Flinders Ranges next month mostly bitumen some dirt roads but no off-road.

Do I really have to fork out $800? Anyone with suggestions/photo's of their set ups and towing limitations i.e. weighs etc.

Thanks Neil.
Hedley (great handle by the way). the Aussie Swag is about 1200 with around 10% of that on the ball. The tongue I have is an inverted 2"drop tongue but is not extended length wise and clears the bumper with the D4 hitch no worries. I am using a McHitch Tregg adapter coupling (not be to be confused with the mitch hitch) and still clear the rear door when down. If I were doing the trip you describe (which I have) I would not be bothering with the Mitch Hitch if you have a D4 coupling. D3 probably different story.

OBT

[SMK]

I agree with outbacktourer, and would say that even the old D3 plough is fine for what you want to do. On my D3 I used the old plough with a HR adjustable head and treg hitch towing a Kimberley Platinum. We did the Kimberley, Pilbara, across the centre, MacDonnell Ranges, South West WA with this arrangement without even looking like ploughing. All of these though are not what I would consider extreme and you don't need heavy articulation to negotiate most of these roads. The Flinders is the same to get into most camping areas. I will be doing the Flinders in October and intend to use the standard D4 hitch on a Kimberley. It would be a different story though on a Cape York trip or some areas of the High Country (and any similiar types) where articulation and clearance come to the fore. So unles you intend to drag your camper into some heavy rough stuff, what you have is fine IMHO.

[mowog]

I use a Rapid Hitch on my D4.

I will be using a McHITCH UNIGLIDE TRAILER COUPLING on my new caravan. I have spoken to the designer of the McHitch and he will make an adapter for his hitch to suit the Rapid Hitch.

I used the Rapid Hitch on my current van on our last trip. It is light easy to fit and very well made. It allows for very easy height adjustment for different trailers.

[Dirty3]

No, I am reasonably handy, so DIY is an option. Also have bread the posts regarding the reverse sensors, so it's more time than anything.

[Dirty3]

Thanks to everyone for your insightful comments. My first thing is when I get the camper to assess the actual height. My old 6x4 box trailer used to sit on an angle with the D2 (2 inch lift) but now sits flat and even with the D3.
Outside of that I will investigate suppliers for option and since there are many of them, it'll come down to what I can afford and what suits best at the time.

The Mitch Hitch would be the way to go so might have to spend some late nights in the garage.

THanks once again for the advice.

[ADMIRAL]

Hi Hedley,

Once you understand how it is to be fitted, it will take all of 20 minutes to fit the hitch, but twice that loosening the two tow plugs and the loom, to enable the centre bolt to be fitted. It is a neat setup once fitted and super strong. I haven't bothered to cut and refit the cover. You need it off anyway to access the tow plugs.

[CaverD3]

When fitting the mitch hitch it makes it easier to align if you put a bar or pipe in the receiver and use that to adjust the position for the bolt.:idea:

[Dirty3]

Today I went and purchased a new adjustable Hayman Reese tongue. It has allowed me an extra 150mm height. Quite heavy, but will do the tick for the trip then I will look at spending the $ on a Mitch Hitch.
On another note, has anyone ever experienced the "plough" coming our of it's own accord. To me it doesn't feel a very positive lock when installed, but I am able to lock it and it feels rock solid, just I like to hear a clunk when things align, so you know your home.

Now I just have to sort out the wiring as I plugged the tailer in and my brake lights were coming on by themselves....(car not turned on)....weird?:wacko:

[mowog]

This is the Rapid Hitch fitted to my D4.

The post can either be up or down. This gives a huge range of height adjustment.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/08/490.jpg

[Dirty3]

I saw these on a US site, they look very neat. I like the idea of adjustability and the alloy they use. The D4 hitch is certainly better than the original on the D3.
I priced the D4 hitch from LR and it was about $800+ for the hitch and the tongue to suit it......still to rich for what it is....Wonder if I could get one from the UK direct??? My do some searching!!

[chuck]

Mowog

Who sells the rapid hitch & approximately how much are they?

I have been looking for a hitch & a towbar place wanted some exorbitant amount for something similar.

Thanks

Chuck

[mowog]

Titan Trailer Brakes in Brisbane sell the Rapid Hitch online.

One minor mod is needed (if you use their locking pin).

The gap in the locking pin for the hitch is 0.5mm to narrow for the LR receiver. You can either use a standard locking pin. Or 2 minutes on a lathe fixes the original pin.

Price well it isn't cheap. Mine is the 4500kg hitch, the 3500kg hitch is a little cheaper at around $400 from memory.

[Watpub]

Titan Trailer Brakes in Brisbane sell the Rapid Hitch online.

One minor mod is needed (if you use their locking pin).

The gap in the locking pin for the hitch is 0.5mm to narrow for the LR receiver. You can either use a standard locking pin. Or 2 minutes on a lathe fixes the original pin.

Price well it isn't cheap. Mine is the 4500kg hitch, the 3500kg hitch is a little cheaper at around $400 from memory.

Mowog, they look big and bulky. Do you leave yours on the vehicle when not towing for extended periods of time?

Ron

[mowog]

Mowog, they look big and bulky. Do you leave yours on the vehicle when not towing for extended periods of time?

Ron

It's less bulky than a heavy duty hitch.

I had it on the car because I moved the van over the weekend. It is also very light.