Page 1 of 7 123 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 68

Thread: Upgrade to Mitch Hitch or stick with standard D4 hitch

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Melbourne, Vic
    Posts
    538
    Total Downloaded
    0

    Upgrade to Mitch Hitch or stick with standard D4 hitch

    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.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Montrose, Vic.
    Posts
    5,418
    Total Downloaded
    0
    If you are ever likely to tow off road, I'd definitely swap it over.
    Mark

    Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most

    2015 TDV6 D4.... the latest project... Llams, Traxide, Icom 455, Tuffant Kimberleys and Mofos.... so far.
    2012 SDV6 SE D4 with some stuff... gone...
    2003 D2a TD5...gone...
    2000 D2 V8...gone...
    https://bymark.photography


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Tangambalanga
    Posts
    7,558
    Total Downloaded
    0
    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.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    4,089
    Total Downloaded
    0
    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.
    2010 TDV6 3.0L Discovery 4 HSE
    2007 Audi RS4 (B7)

  5. #5
    LRD414's Avatar
    LRD414 is offline Super Moderator Subscriber
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    3,723
    Total Downloaded
    0
    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
    D4 TDV6 MY14 with Llams, Tuffant Wheels, Traxide DBS, APT sliders & protection plates, Prospeed Winch Mount w/ Carbon 12K, Mitch Hitch & Drifta Drawers
    Link to my D4 Build Thread
    D3 2005 V8 Petrol
    Ex '77 RRC 2 door. Long gone but not forgotten.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    Colac
    Posts
    7
    Total Downloaded
    0
    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

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    502
    Total Downloaded
    0
    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.
    2016.5 TDV6 Graphite D4,Corris Grey,APT sliders,Goe air comp plate,UHF & HF radio,Airflow snorkel,Discrete Winch,Compo rims with 265/65/18 KO, LLAMs,Traxide dual battery with winch set up,EAS emergency kit,Mitch Hitch EGR blank & delete,ECU remap

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    St Helena,Melbourne
    Posts
    16,051
    Total Downloaded
    0
    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.
    MY08 TDV6 SE D3- permagrin ooh yeah
    2004 Jayco Freedom tin tent
    1998 Triumph Daytona T595
    1974 VW Kombi bus
    1958 Holden FC special sedan

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Wamuran, Qld
    Posts
    783
    Total Downloaded
    0
    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.
    Ron

    2013 D4 SDV6 SE

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    melbourne
    Posts
    390
    Total Downloaded
    0
    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.
    Discovery 1 4.6, true trac front and rear, superior engineering arms,old tourer now bush toy
    Discovery 4 3.0 HSE MY13 ECB Bull bar, winch, spot lights, aux fuel tank, Kaymar rear bar, duel wheel carriers, 18 tuff ant wheels 265/65/18 BFG KO2's for play

Page 1 of 7 123 ... LastLast

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Search AULRO.com ONLY!
Search All the Web!