Thread: D4 towbar assembly has play - replace with Mitch Hitch?

Originally Posted by ATH

I've never tried mine to check for play in the receiver but always remove the hitch when it's not needed for towing the van. Why leave it attached? I really can't see why anyone would waste 700 plus bucks on something to do what the original bit of equipment does OK.
Mind you I think it's crap design but it doesn't cause me to mutter mutter swear and curse like the EPB does.
AlanH.

With the OEM if you have larger tyres (mine and 265/65/18) and the original hitch attached its hard to remove or relocate the spare tyre. Mitch hitch overcomes this. Also I have a off road caravan (well so the manufacturer says) and it sits up high. With the OEM hitch the van was very much nose down which is not the ideal level for towing. (OK I could raise the suspension of the car but my partner likes the car at the lower LLAMS setting for access).Mitch Hitch fixed all those problems. For the record when not towing I remove the tongue and on my 2016.5 D4 the parking sensors are not affected by it. Perhaps on RR Sport they are located in a different place and so go off all the time when reverse is selected. The other benefit of having the Mitch hitch is it gives you a buffer between your car and the idiot behind you who comes too close.

I had my LR standard hitch fall out while traveling with the TVan on. I put notice into LR about the incident hoping to see if had happened before, if there was a modification or whatever. No satisfactory answer was forthcoming. I now ALWAYS check the Locking Pin to make sure it is completely home.

Phil
2012 D4

Originally Posted by Tombie

Under law a tow bar when not in use is to be removed.

Was not aware of this - will look into if it is a law in Tasmania too.

Originally Posted by twr7cx

Was not aware of this - will look into if it is a law in Tasmania too.

Best I can find in WA is open to interpretation. The definition of “dangerous” is well open to interpretation and scenario. Lawyers would have a field day back and forth on that one.

Originally Posted by twr7cx

Of our two MY12 D4's, one has a fair bit of play in the standard fitment towbar - there seems to be about 2mm of gap either side in the receiver (where the towbar assembly goes onto the vehicle chassis, not the tongue into towbar assembly). I did a Google search and most of the prior discussion, from some time ago, and relating to the Discovery 3 talks about replacing with a Mitch Hitch < Mitchell Bros Hi-Rise Tow Hitch – Mitchell Bros 4x4 - Mitch Hitch >. Is this still the appropriate course of action for a D4?

Too late but one like this took out the knocking.
Anti Rattle Hitch Bracket Ball Mount Tow Bar Trailer Caravan Tightener Black | eBay

Originally Posted by Grahame Roberts

Too late but one like this took out the knocking.
Anti Rattle Hitch Bracket Ball Mount Tow Bar Trailer Caravan Tightener Black | eBay

Wouldn't work for this - it's where the tow bar assembly goes into the vehicle chassis not the tongue into the hitch which is what that is for.

Originally Posted by Grahame Roberts

Too late but one like this took out the knocking.
Anti Rattle Hitch Bracket Ball Mount Tow Bar Trailer Caravan Tightener Black | eBay

Might work with the tongue where it goes into the receiver but this thread is about where the tow bar clips into the rear cross member of the D3/4/RRS and that device does nothing for that as it does not fit.

The poms use a plate bolted to the underside of the hitch that serves 2 purposes, prevents the hitch from falling out and stops thieves pinching them.