Thread: Towball hitch fell out with van attached!

Originally Posted by mowog

I believe D4 owners do a lot of mods to improve capability as well.

If you want to do remote travel you will need extra fuel capacity
The Land Rover Tow hitch is an issue for many
My rear shocks went off under 50000klm replaced under warranty

Hi Mowog

I agree us owners do plenty of mods... And I agree about the tow hitch.

What I'm pointing out is that most D4 owners buy a D4, do a couple of bits and pieces (perhaps the hitch etc) and then hook up and tow.

I then read constant comments - tows great, bit soft etc..

What I was pointing out it very, very few people have fitted a set of aftermarket valved shocks etc...

Where as, almost all Patrol / Cruiser owners do if they plan to tow!

So when those commenting it feels "soft or bouncy" pipe up I laugh a little... And then they talk all about WDHs again...

For those who find it a bit too soft or bouncy - How about trying a simple shock upgrade to improve damping? Would likely make an awesome vehicle even better

I don't find mine soft and I tow a big van.

I wonder if people are thinking soft is the feedback you can get from some vans. Mine certainly did bounce a lot when I had Simplicity suspension.

Originally Posted by Tombie

Hi Mowog

I agree us owners do plenty of mods... And I agree about the tow hitch.

What I'm pointing out is that most D4 owners buy a D4, do a couple of bits and pieces (perhaps the hitch etc) and then hook up and tow.

I then read constant comments - tows great, bit soft etc..

What I was pointing out it very, very few people have fitted a set of aftermarket valved shocks etc...

Where as, almost all Patrol / Cruiser owners do if they plan to tow!

So when those commenting it feels "soft or bouncy" pipe up I laugh a little... And then they talk all about WDHs again...

For those who find it a bit too soft or bouncy - How about trying a simple shock upgrade to improve damping? Would likely make an awesome vehicle even better

Totally agree, when I first fitted Koni's the D3 towed our 2.5 ton van like it wasn't even there whether it was at speed or on tight twisty undulating roads, bloody amazing to say the least.
As most everyone knows those shocks died a very early death, in fact I reckon it was the towing that killed them as it was so easy to tow faster than you would normally, so the shocks were working overtime to keep it all in check.

The problem with D3/4's is its not easy or cheap to fit new shocks unlike it is with coil sprung vehicles and as Tombie said few LR owners seem like they want to invest in aftermarket suspension where as most Cruiser or Patrol owners know they just have to.

cheers,
Terry

How do D3/D4 owners upgrade, when there isn't anything to upgrade too

There are aftermarket shocks...

Originally Posted by Tombie

There are aftermarket shocks...

From what I've heard, they don't last, even Bilsteins don't last as long as the standard ones.

Originally Posted by TerryO

The problem with D3/4's is its not easy or cheap to fit new shocks unlike it is with coil sprung vehicles...

Certainly not cheap especially for their short life but not too bad a job to change.

When I fitted the D3 shocks I found removing and refitting the 3 top nuts on the fronts were considerably more fiddly than the rears. However when I refitted the D4s recently I removed the inner guards from the front which made the airsprings easy like the rears, but took considerably more time with having to remove all the clips and the screws behind the headlights into the flares. Once again it took only 10 to 15 minutes to remove then refit each airspring from its shock. Its a pity that either the D4s were more worn-out than I thought or their seals were affected by having been stored on the sides for 2 years as the ride is now is quite floaty on smooth surfaces whereas the worn-out D3 shocks weren't, but at least the vehicle rides the bumps better. I'm now waiting to see what Koni come up with.

Hi I have a haymen reece towbar fitted. Fits up under chasis and you do not have to worry about hitting your shinslike the mitch hitch. my van wieghs over 3 tonne and it tows great