tow hitch problem

Thanks everyone for your input into this topic. I have read all and can only assume that I had it installed correctly, as I had installed it in Mareeba and had hitched and unhitched the van many times in my journey down to Nanango and also driven many kilometres on varying types of road surfaces with out the hitch falling out. Surely if it was fitted incorrectly it would have fallen out well before almost 2k kilometres of travel.
After reading this thread I can't understand that Landrover still haven't recognised there is a serious and life threatening issue here. I have submitted a near miss safety issue on the towbar with the ACCC product safety department.

Hi All,
Have just received a letter from Landrover Australia reference the Towhitch falling off and as suspected they are wiping the hands of the issue because I used a WDH, even though my D3 has coil springs. They have stated a WDH is not to be used with the vehicle.
I have requested a copy the part of the manual which deals with how to balance the combination on a vehicle with coil springs. As far as I know there is no such writing covering this in the manual.
They have also stated in the letter that they have not experienced any failures of this system. I am interested to know how many who have experienced this issue have notified Landrover australia from this forum.
I also read in this thread that using a WDH with a D3 with coil springs is ok. This seems to be contradictory to what Landrover is stating . Is this in writing anywhere.
I will be writing a formal response to Landrover in the next couple of days.

Thanks for these pictures and the suggested modification. When I feel around the back for the locking pin, should it feel flush with the casting? If it is a little recessed, could that mean that it hasn't extended fully?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gypsy_Pete

Thanks for these pictures and the suggested modification. When I feel around the back for the locking pin, should it feel flush with the casting? If it is a little recessed, could that mean that it hasn't extended fully?

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The locking pin is tapered. On mine, the leading edge of the taper is about flush with the outer edge of the hole it sits in. I can partially push my finger into this hole with the pin fully engaged, but only because of the tapered end of the pin.

I have just completed another 8000km of travel across this great land whilst towing.

Just a couple of points of note re my experience with the LR hitch. I have had a problem once where I could not get the lock on the hitch itself to 'unlock'. Admittedly this was after leaving the hitch on the vehicle for a longish period of time in crappy weather, rain dirt etc. Much CRC and swearing later I took it to my local dealer who kindly got it to unlock for me.

The second issue I had, on one occasion only, was that the hitch locking mechanism did not fully engage when I was offering it up into the vehicle receiver. Basically it dropped out in my hand! On checking I found the operating mechanism on the hitch was again 'gummed up'. :o

Anyhow I am aware that this removable tow hitch is a 'maintenance item' and needs to be serviced regularly. After each use I now remove it and give it a good once over.

I always check it for security on fitting it to the vehicle and have not had a towing problem over the last 5 and a bit years of D4 ownership. :)

Given the comments from others I will continue to check the hitch for security each time I use it!

Hi All,
Further to my last post, I wrote a formal response to Landrover and with the help anecdotal posts in this thread Landrover have instantly advised me that they are sending a technical team member to visit me at home to inspect and discuss the falling out issue of the Towhitch, and have finally said they are happy that no one was injured in the incident, only taken eight weeks to acknowledge.will post results of the investigation when known.:)

Thanks Allkar. I'll be very interested to read about what LR has to say.

In our previous Disc 3 S, we travelled many thousands of kms towing a van without any problem with the tow hitch. We've recently purchased a 2011 D4 and from what I've read on this thread, I am concerned. The hitch was inserted by the dealer and I haven't had it off so it should be ok I think. It seems solid enough and I can feel the locking pin in place around the back.

Sent from my SM-T520 using AULRO mobile app

Hi All,
Landrover are coming to inspect my Towhitch failure on the 15dec. I have spoken with another owner whose Towhitch fell and caused in the order of $80k to trailer and Monash freeway fencing and surface. Landrover wiped their hands of it and frustrated him so he did not pursue it any further. I have requested him if he wishes to to submit a near miss incident report with the ACCC this can be done on line.It would be a great assistance to me in pursuing this with Landrover if all members who have had this same incident could also submit a report of their Towhitch failure with the ACCC. It could also help if when submitted a copy could be sent to Landrover Australia. I could provide the name and address of the person who is the customer service director of Landrover Australia in Sydney. This could help in getting this issue the required attention it deserves with Landrover Australia.

Did LR come out as promised on the 15th of December? Is so, what did they have to say?

Hi I have also had the L/R tow hitch fail whilst towing a 3000 kg caravan , it basically fell out of the car. I replaced it with a Mitchell Bros hitch and have had no more problems. I have a D3 S with coils and did have a Hayman Reece WDH attached at the time. Cheers Joc.