Detachable Tow Hitch - Not Engaging

**Craig V** · 12th August 2022, 10:47 AM

Hi All

I am not a mechanic that is why I joined this forum to learn.

I bought my 2005 Disco 3 about two years ago and it came with the detachable tow hitch inserted. About a year ago I had a flat and removed the hitch to change the tTowing 3.pdf Towing 2.pdf Towing 3.pdftyre. With some difficulty I must say but I probably had gravity working for me.

I now have tried to re-insert the tow hitch and I will fully engage. See photos attached. I have tried the following:

1. Inserted the locking key - it want turn. I assume it only works when the locking pin is engaged.
2. I little filling since the tongue appears to need only about 1mm more to clear to engage the slot.
3. Gentle tapping with a hammer but no go.
Towing 2.pdf Towing 3.pdf
Any suggestions on what I am doing wrong or not doing before I spend money at a dealer?

**DiscoDB** · 12th August 2022, 05:02 PM

Are you inserting and turning key, then pulling the green handle out (away from the hitch) before you start to turn it?

It is the pulling out action when unlocked that then allows the handle to turn fully and the locking pin to retract fully.

Takes a bit of effort to do once removed from the car.

**PerthDisco** · 12th August 2022, 08:05 PM

Originally Posted by DiscoDB

Are you inserting and turning key, then pulling the green handle out (away from the hitch) before you start to turn it?

It is the pulling out action when unlocked that then allows the handle to turn fully and the locking pin to retract fully.

Takes a bit of effort to do once removed from the car.

Yes you have to ‘cock the hammer’ in this way but also check the receiver is not full of muck as it has to fully dock before it releases the lock pin. There’s a red bit of plastic that’s a plug for when hitch is removed.

**Craig V** · 13th August 2022, 01:26 PM

Thank you DiscoDB and PerthDisco for replying. Very helpful.

Yes the tow hitch does insert with the green knob pulled out showing the red band. Silly me, it actually says that in the manual reading it again for the forth time this morning. Another issue was also causing an obstruction. That is the spare tyre was fowling the tow hitch preventing it from being fully inserted. The previous owner has replaced the spare tyre rim with an alloy rim same as the other four tyres. Therefore spare tyre needs to be removed to insert and use the tow hitch. Not really what I want. The vehicle is currently running on 265/50/R20 tyres.

I note that the manual specifies a temporary spare wheel - steel 8J x 19 and T175/80/R19H tyre. Does this mean I need to buy a thinner rim and tyre or is there a way around beside deflating the spare tyre?

**loanrangie** · 13th August 2022, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by Craig V

Thank you DiscoDB and PerthDisco for replying. Very helpful.

Yes the tow hitch does insert with the green knob pulled out showing the red band. Silly me, it actually says that in the manual reading it again for the forth time this morning. Another issue was also causing an obstruction. That is the spare tyre was fowling the tow hitch preventing it from being fully inserted. The previous owner has replaced the spare tyre rim with an alloy rim same as the other four tyres. Therefore spare tyre needs to be removed to insert and use the tow hitch. Not really what I want. The vehicle is currently running on 265/50/R20 tyres.

I note that the manual specifies a temporary spare wheel - steel 8J x 19 and T175/80/R19H tyre. Does this mean I need to buy a thinner rim and tyre or is there a way around beside deflating the spare tyre?

20"rims were not standard for a D3 so i'd move to 18" or 19" rims with a stock or close to stock size.

**ATH** · 13th August 2022, 05:08 PM

I had a slight problem with the retaining bolt not seeming to go in far enough so ground the top of the insert down as it had a peak in the middle. This was a definite improvement and the bolt now fully locates in it's right position. I have a pic somewhere showing the insert before and after grinding and it's much flatter but I can't find it amongst the rubbish in my LR pic files.

AlanH.

**DiscoDB** · 14th August 2022, 06:12 AM

Originally Posted by Craig V

Thank you DiscoDB and PerthDisco for replying. Very helpful.

Yes the tow hitch does insert with the green knob pulled out showing the red band. Silly me, it actually says that in the manual reading it again for the forth time this morning. Another issue was also causing an obstruction. That is the spare tyre was fowling the tow hitch preventing it from being fully inserted. The previous owner has replaced the spare tyre rim with an alloy rim same as the other four tyres. Therefore spare tyre needs to be removed to insert and use the tow hitch. Not really what I want. The vehicle is currently running on 265/50/R20 tyres.

I note that the manual specifies a temporary spare wheel - steel 8J x 19 and T175/80/R19H tyre. Does this mean I need to buy a thinner rim and tyre or is there a way around beside deflating the spare tyre?

A D4 hitch may work with that tyre size. Still may need to remove hitch to remove spare, but once spare is fitted the D4 hitch may sit forward enough to not clash with the larger tyre.

Photo shows the difference between the D3 and D4 hitch:

**Craig V** · 14th August 2022, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by DiscoDB

A D4 hitch may work with that tyre size. Still may need to remove hitch to remove spare, but once spare is fitted the D4 hitch may sit forward enough to not clash with the larger tyre.

Photo shows the difference between the D3 and D4 hitch:

Thank you DiscoDB. I have noticed the spare has some sidewall damage so I will replace it with a narrower rim and tyre if I can find one maybe 255 or less as opposed to current 265. This should give me enough clearance for the hitch. Okay the spare is not the same but I am a town dweller and intend to use the vehicle as a boat tow.

Thread: Detachable Tow Hitch - Not Engaging

Thread Tools