Disco 3 tow hitch install, reversing sensors always on

**arejaybee** · 29th September 2019, 12:52 PM

Hoping the wonderful wealth of knowledge here can help me out.
I just installed a tow hitch to my D3, it's primarily just for towing a box trailer with some gear but in general being able to tow things is useful.

My car did not have any tow hook or anything present when I bought it, am I right in understanding they came factory with a tow hook like this?
Towing hook assembly | KNB500070 - Land Rover

Anyway, I went to a local store in Newcastle (All Four X 4) and bought this -
https://www.allfourx4.com.au/epages/...cts/LR007484RH

It was bit of a pain to install, mainly installing the centre pin that goes through the tow hook, but anyway sorted -
20190929_113927.jpg 20190928_133751_HDR.jpg

Firstly, see the red square in the second photo, the hitch came with this bolt and nut that was showed inserted in to a hole on the bottom side of the receiver.
What is this for?

With the above installed the reversing sensors are constantly on, I'm assuming because they're picking up the hitch sticking out the rear?
Has anyone encountered this and is there any way to resolve the issue? Bit of a pain, the sensors are useful.

Finally, seems this tow solution is very much overkill for what I'm after, it's also pretty damn unattractive and generally an inconvenience when I'm not using it (which will be most of the time).
Considering the effort involved in install/uninstall I'm thinking it may be better for me to find a second hand factory tow hook from a wrecker, is there anything wrong with that idea?

Thanks in advance!

**101RRS** · 29th September 2019, 01:10 PM

There is plenty on this if you search the site.

You need to partially block the inner two parking sensors and not leave the hitch in the receiver when not being being used.

You need to go to Bunnings and buy clear plastic floor savers - the ones about the size of the parking sensors.

If you still want the sensors to work - cut them in the shape in the pic.

Garry

**Parso** · 29th September 2019, 01:12 PM

I'm using the factory receiver (green one) but with a generic tow ball as it didn't come with one from the last owner. I get the sensor issues to. I believe you can just put some tape on the middle back sensors or something to disable them. I tow so rarely I haven't tried

**Parso** · 29th September 2019, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by 101RRS

There is plenty on this if you search the site.

You need to partially block the inner two parking sensors and not leave the hitch in the receiver when not being being used.

You need to go to Bunnings and buy clear plastic floor savers - the ones about the size of the parking sensors.

If you still want the sensors to work - cut them in the shape in the pic.

Garry

Haha ignore my comment and see above. Clearly I took too long typing.

**John_D4** · 29th September 2019, 01:15 PM

Did you consider just buying one of these? I’m not a huge expert on d3’s but I have one of these on me d4. Super easy to install and unhook

LR040248 | REAR TOW HITCH RECEIVER - NORTH AMERICAN SPEC - DISCOVERY 3 & 4 - RANGE ROVER SPORT | Land Rover | | Britcar (UK) Ltd

**Parso** · 29th September 2019, 01:18 PM

A guy on Facebook Marketplace in Sydney is selling an original receiver. You should be able to find easy enough second hand or wreckers as you said.

**John_D4** · 29th September 2019, 01:20 PM

Plus is the factory receiver is 3.5 ton rated and you don’t need to muck around with the sensors

**arejaybee** · 29th September 2019, 01:22 PM

Thanks for the quick replies and reversing sensor solution, will do that now.
Sounds like getting one of the slot in tow solutions is the go so I can easily remove when not using, will have a search around second hand.
Likely be selling this heavier duty one once I do find something.

**Tombie** · 29th September 2019, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by John_D2

Plus is the factory receiver is 3.5 ton rated and you don’t need to muck around with the sensors

So is the one the OP has fitted.

**Parso** · 29th September 2019, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by John_D2

Plus is the factory receiver is 3.5 ton rated and you don’t need to muck around with the sensors

I still get sensor issues with my factory receiver. Maybe I'm just special

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