Thread: Towing with D4

Originally Posted by away

G'day

I have a D3 and tow a Kedron van with it. The Kedron has more ground clearance than just about any van on the road and as a consequence of this, the tow hitch is very high. I had to get a swept-up tow tongue which was specially made to gain me another 75mm in height. It cost a fortune as it had to be rated and stamped for 3.5 tonne. In addition to that I had to get a raised tow ball which gained me another 50mm.

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Russ

I have also got to deal with this issue with my RRS soon. I have ordered a New Age van that requires a ball height of 485mm, which is 75mm higher than the factory hitch+tongue ball height. On an RRS you can't use a Rapid Hitch with the the "plough" to raise the tow level because the 50x50 "tongue' needs to be around 300mm long to clear the bumper bar. The tongue of the Rapid Hitch is less than 200mm long.

I look at the Mitch as well but I didn't like that it wasn't readily removeable and it would have been a problem (shin damage issues) when it wasn't being used for towing - which is the most of the time.

I had one tow bar outfit tell me that the LR 'plough' wasn't adequately rated to take a swept up tongue (or an adjustable tongue to achieve the same thing) and that I should ditch the LR part and install a Mitch hitch. Yet another company - Hall Towbars (Adelaide) - advised me that they can manufacture a custom tongue with 75mm extra lift - for $90!

So that is the way I am going to go; BUT your post has reminded me to check that it is certified and stamped. Thanks.

Cheers
John

I don't have relevant documents with me so can't quote the specific clauses but the ADR and other related standards 'recommend' the stated height with additional clauses of allowable height differences. When home in a few weeks I'll pull them out.

The reasoning is supposedly based on sway and leverage etc. it is believed that between those heights give the most stable tow. Nothing more profound than that