tow hitch-tow ball

[disco gazza]

Mate has a new (to him) D3. Some scumbag took the whole tow ball and tow hitch from the vehicle when it was in the previous owners hands.
He would like to re-install said items to his vehicle.
Can anyone give me an idea as to what he needs. He cant afford a mitch hitch,just the basic one will do him for now.
Have downloaded the D3 workshop manual (thanks Incisor) but that only shows the UK variant.
Do we have a different setup or is it the same as UK vehicles.
Thanks

DG

[BradC]

Get a D4 receiver (Part number LR040248) and any square hitch tongue and ball will slot in.
The receivers come up here from time to time. I bought mine new from the UK as mine came with the UK towball and it hangs way too low for my van.

[johnp38]

Get a D4 receiver (Part number LR040248) and any square hitch tongue and ball will slot in.

Yep, as above.

I just bought a D3 and it came with the D3 receiver which tucks back under the spare wheel and needs removing to lower the spare (so I keep reading, and looks like it too), so forget about that and get matey mate to buy a D4 version which does not snag the spare, so no unhitching the trailer to change tyres, it will fit up into the D3 without issue and accepts any standard 50mm square hitch.

I looked a few days ago and there were a couple of D4 versions around the 200 mark.

Also when mine is locked in correctly there is zero play, receiver and vehicle are as if welded together, I read that ppl have had theirs drop out but I fitted and refitted a number of times and managed to sometimes 'lock' it in with the lever flicked back and sitting correctly but there would be a couple mm if that of play so not seated 100% even though I could not pull it down by stomping on it, but the dynamics with a trailer jiggling on it would be more stressful, so I think it is a case of 99% sitting there is not good enough it needs to be 100% firm on the vehicle.

[BradC]

I read that ppl have had theirs drop out but I fitted and refitted a number of times and managed to sometimes 'lock' it in with the lever flicked back and sitting correctly but there would be a couple mm if that of play so not seated 100%

There was a recall years ago, and somewhere on the net there is an LR document that explains the "how to check" bits. I check by 2 marks I've made on the handle and poking my finger up the back to double check the engagement every time I put it in.

Essentially, when not towing take it out. If you don't, it'll either rattle and wear or rust in place. Mine goes in before I hook up the van and comes out when I unhitch. Sits in the annexe while we're away. Then again, I also clean & grease both parts and put the dust cover in when the hitch comes out.

Look after it, follow the instructions and don't smack it on a rock while 4wd'ing and you'll be fine.

[disco gazza]

Johnp38, can you tell me where you scored your hitch from. Most of the places I've looked are $750+ for the lockable part.

Brad, thanks for the tips,I'll pass them on.

[johnp38]

Johnp38, can you tell me where you scored your hitch from. Most of the places I've looked are $750+ for the lockable part.

Brad, thanks for the tips,I'll pass them on.

The D3 hitch receiver came with the vehicle, and I already have a few 50mm tongues for different towing jobs/heights.

The D4 one for 200 bucks was on gumtree last week.

If there is only D4 hitch receivers for 700 bucks I'd spend my money on a Mitch Hitch.

Oh, wait, here's one I prepared earlier LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 4 2011 L319 5.0 V8 TOWBAR | eBay Australia

[BradC]

I bought a brand new D4 hitch back in 2017 when I got the car. I'd seen a few reports of D3 and D4 hitches failing. When I say failing I mean cracking through, snapping off leaving the van hanging by the chains. On that basis I decided I didn't trust anyone enough to buy a second hand hitch. I paid $583.20 and $72.34 shipping to get a brand new one from the UK. Ordered Thursday and delivered Sunday morning.

I probably would have been ok with a second hand one, but I'm a bit risk averse and frankly people do dumb ****.

[Jeffoir]

The D3 hitch receiver came with the vehicle, and I already have a few 50mm tongues for different towing jobs/heights.

The D4 one for 200 bucks was on gumtree last week.

If there is only D4 hitch receivers for 700 bucks I'd spend my money on a Mitch Hitch.

Oh, wait, here's one I prepared earlier LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 4 2011 L319 5.0 V8 TOWBAR | eBay Australia

Hi Disco Gazza,

Your friend should of course do his own "Due Diligence" but the hitch in the Link above, that Johnp38 has supplied you with, looks to be in good shape. Viz, the paint is good, the green locking handle has not faded, the key is in good shape.
At a guess, I would say it has been kept inside the car or a garage and not exposed to the tracks, trials and tribulations of being connected full-time.
This is of course, very encouraging for a $200 purchase.
Best wishes,
Jeff