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Herbie
Member Since: 03 Feb 2008
Location: Sydney
Posts: 22
  
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TDMP wrote: We look forward to seeing you yours and your van in Wilpena in late May 
Thanks for the welcome Tristan. Unfortunately, we won't be able to make it to Wilpena Pnd in May. Our next trip is scheduled for July and, like so many others at that time of year, we'll be heading north into sunny Qld. It'll be our first trip with the D3 (and to keep this thread on-topic) we'll be towing the van with our Mitchell Bros hitch receiver. 
Herbie Neil Herbert
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2007 TDV6 S Stornoway Grey/Alpaca. LR roof rails & side steps; Cooper ST's; Autosafe cargo barrier; Kaymar rear bar; Mitchell Bros tow bar; King Springs heavy duty coils; GME UHF; Polaris rear vision camera.
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 5th Feb 2008 10:49 am |
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Getafix
Member Since: 13 Sep 2007
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 229
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I don't get it.
Why can't you use WDH with non air suspension. Doesn't make sense. Are we sure??? <*(((<<
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| 5th Feb 2008 10:52 am |
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Bushwanderer
Member Since: 27 Nov 2007
Location: Northern Rivers, NSW, Australia
Posts: 2050
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will wrote:Like so many others I am still interested in the towing hitch as I do not think there is an alternative. With Kaymar bar fitted and LRA tank in place there is to my knowledge nothing else available, and I like the concept of the new towing hitch.
The van sits in waiting and all outings are on hold until the hitch is available. Will keep waiting in anticipation, hopefully not too long now.
Hi Will,
Please be aware that, in early testing, there was a "slight" interference between the Mitchell Bros Hitch & the Kaymar Bar & assembly (a matter of 5mm or so). The last that I heard was that Mitchell Bros were trying to get Kaymar to modify their assembly to suit. Obviously, this won't help those who already have the Kaymar bar.
For your individual circumstance, please check with Aaron @ Mitchell Bros.
Best Wishes,
Peter
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| 5th Feb 2008 11:13 am |
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Bushwanderer
Member Since: 27 Nov 2007
Location: Northern Rivers, NSW, Australia
Posts: 2050
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Herbie wrote:Although I had seen this forum and read some of the threads prior to purchasing the D3, I have to admit that I hadn't been aware of the potential difficulties of the LR tow hitch until AFTER the D3 was sitting in my driveway! I'm now more than a little annoyed with the dealer (Trivett) as there was no mention of the inability to use a HR weight distribution hitch ("WDH")  . I also hadn't been aware that the LR hitch puts the tow ball so low (certainly too low to allow my caravan to ride level). It wasn't until I read a related thread on this subject yesterday that I realised that the LR handbook (page 202) prohibits the use of any WDH.
Hi Herbie,
I, likewise, raised the issue of WDH capability with Aaron at Mitchell Bros. He then contacted the engineer and, subsequently, advised me that their towbar system was capable of accommodating a WDH. (This, I believe, in no way, supercedes LRs recommendations relating to towing.)
Best Wishes,
Peter
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| 5th Feb 2008 11:20 am |
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caverD3
Member Since: 02 Jul 2006
Location: Oberon, NSW
Posts: 6922
 
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Why LR don't recommend a WDH is unknown for certain but a WDH puts a lot of torsional pressure on a hitch and the LR plough fitting may be unable to take the load. The other issue is how far back the hitch is the Mitchell Bros hitch is only slightly further back than the LR one and the BRS one even further back as with the multi height one. This can change the dynamics of the vehicle when towing. However there were no issues with the BRS hitch in this regard but if you are towing 3.5 tonne on dirt road you will have to adjust your driving no matter which vehicle you are towing.
PS Aaron's leg is badly busted and he has some complications his brother is looking at the problem and is trying to get some out. “There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely gamesâ€
Ernest Hemmingway
D4 3.0 Active Diff, Adaptive Lights, High Beam Assist, Surround Cameras, Privacy Glass.
D3 2.7:Adaptive Headlights,Electronic Rear Diff,ARB Bar,Blaupunkt Speakers,JVC Powered Subwoofer,Removable Snorkel,Mitch Hitch,Pioneer After Market Head Unit,Steering Wheel Control Adaptor,Remote Adjustable Supension Rod System, Taxside Dual Battery System.
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| 5th Feb 2008 10:19 pm |
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will
Member Since: 24 Jun 2007
Location: Gold Coast
Posts: 31
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Thanks Bushwanderer,
I am aware of what I believe to be a minor problem with fitting the new hitch to the Kaymar bar. If I am correct it is nothing that a angle grinder and a hammer won't fix.
A small amount of the steel (5mm x 60mm) needs removing from around the top-centre section of the plug socket steel surround and the bottom of the bar needs bending upwards to allow fitting, or more grinding.
Like many others we have our off-road van sitting in the yard, unable to be used. What a way to enjoy retirement!!
I, like so many others really appreciate what is and has been done by those involved in development and testing. Thanks all. Kaymar rear bar and tyre carrier; Safari Snorkel: ARB under-bonnet compressor; LRA fuel tank; Winch, bullbar; Cibie Super Oscars; Rhino Platform Roof Rack, Reversing camera; Traxide auxiliary battery system, 17" rims - Cooper ST.
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| 6th Feb 2008 11:42 pm |
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catweasel
Member Since: 05 May 2006
Location: Bundaleer
Posts: 4805
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will wrote:
Like many others we have our off-road van sitting in the yard, unable to be used.
why? I use mine with the oem equipment. admittedly the oem stuff could be better but you can still use it. 
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| 7th Feb 2008 7:20 am |
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Bushwanderer
Member Since: 27 Nov 2007
Location: Northern Rivers, NSW, Australia
Posts: 2050
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Hi Will,
You may well be right but, as I haven't seen the situation, I'm unable to confirm your view.
Best Wishes,
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| 7th Feb 2008 7:30 am |
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Bushwanderer
Member Since: 27 Nov 2007
Location: Northern Rivers, NSW, Australia
Posts: 2050
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Bushwanderer wrote:My 2005 D3 was supposed to have the towbar wiring loom & hitch receiver fitted from delivery. Unfortunately, mine was one that "slipped through" without it. Only yesterday, I finally had it fitted FOC. I am concerned that it is sitting too low, & have been advised that the hole for the "pin" may be too small for Oz Standards.  I have yet to check these matters.
Hi All,
Further to my previous post (above), I have tried the hitch pin in the LR receiver & have found that:
1. the standard Oz pin diameter is perfect, but
2. the pin length is JUST too short, preventing fitting of the retaining clip by about 1/2 the clip diameter.
Best Wishes,
Peter
PS: with some judicious grinding, I'm sure that I can overcome this problem. 
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| 8th Feb 2008 5:45 am |
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Haggis
Member Since: 26 Jun 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 126
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All,
As CaverD3 and Aaron have mentioned I have a pre-production unit for evaluation on my D3 with Kaymar Bar and LRA auxilary tank. I wanted the tow bar so I could tow the TVan about. Like most of you have mentioned the LR unit had the TVan in a very nose down attitude and was a bit like a plough.
The Mitchell Bros design is up to the task without question. Aside from providing a tow point that improves ground clearance significantly, it sorts out the towing attitude of any trailer designed for off-road use and meets the tow mass and ball weight specifications of the LR original. It also looks the ducks guts sitting nicely against the Kaymar bar and between the twin wheel carriers. The lower tailgate can also be dropped without impact.
I have a TVan which loaded hits the scales at a little over 1 tonne and so far have dragged it over lots of bitumen and a significant number of kms ('000s) of outback gravel roads (corrugations, mud, etc). I haven't been 'rock-crawling' with the TVan yet (LOL) but there is no reason to suspect that articulation will be an issue. The tow bar stays on now (unlike the LR OE unit) when in the mountains with ruts etc and is in no danger of fouling.
There has been no measurable movement of the bar in these conditions, proving the design of both the tow bar itself and the mounting methodology.
We did need to make some modifications to the Kaymar Bar (detailed in this post somewhere from memory). they were simple and quick. Aaron has, I believe, negotiated a change with Kaymar for furture production to eliminate this need.
Photos in gallery. D3 (06) SE TDV6, Rear Locker, Rear Air, ARB bar w/winch, Safari Snorkel, 110l aux fuel tank, Kaymar rear bar (twin wheel carrier), Black Widow rear storage system, Rhino rack, GME UHF, Codan HF, IPF HID lights, CSA Explorer 17" w/BFG Mud Terrain KM2 - see Australian 4WD Monthly #103
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| 9th Feb 2008 1:39 am |
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will
Member Since: 24 Jun 2007
Location: Gold Coast
Posts: 31
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Thanks Haggis,
Good to hear from you. The photos in the gallery look great and I am sure your post has boosted the confidence of many members.
Can't wait to see many D3's on the tracks with the Mitchell Bros hitch in action. Thanks! Kaymar rear bar and tyre carrier; Safari Snorkel: ARB under-bonnet compressor; LRA fuel tank; Winch, bullbar; Cibie Super Oscars; Rhino Platform Roof Rack, Reversing camera; Traxide auxiliary battery system, 17" rims - Cooper ST.
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| 9th Feb 2008 3:04 am |
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Bushwanderer
Member Since: 27 Nov 2007
Location: Northern Rivers, NSW, Australia
Posts: 2050
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Hi Haggis,
Likewise, Thanks.
Is that the standard LR hitch that you have used? If not, from where did you get it?
Is the ball & plug adapter standard with this unit?
Best Wishes,
Peter
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| 9th Feb 2008 6:18 am |
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catweasel
Member Since: 05 May 2006
Location: Bundaleer
Posts: 4805
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my concern is the nylon bit in the recovery eye. I dont always take the camper and use another trailer that uses the LR oem hitch and the nylon bit would need to be removed. I believe this was asked earlier but still needs a response.
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| 9th Feb 2008 8:00 am |
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Haggis
Member Since: 26 Jun 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 126
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The Mitchell Bros hitch is supplied without the tongue or the recovery device.
The tongue you see in the gallery was purchased from a towbar retailer and is readily available. I selected this one to provide the correct ride height for the TVan and enough length for the vehicle part of the AT35 hitch supplied with the TVan. It is also rated at 3500kg/350kg. Cost was <$200. The recovery device was supplied by Mitchell Bros at an additional charge.
Apologies if this has created any confusion. The photos including these items were to show how it all looks once it comes together.
I am on the lookout for a D2 tongue. CaverD3 has indicated that this has the correct drop to use the Mitchell Bros towbar and standard ride height trailers. Failing that I am sure I can procure a tongue with the correct drop from almost any towbar retailer.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Haggis D3 (06) SE TDV6, Rear Locker, Rear Air, ARB bar w/winch, Safari Snorkel, 110l aux fuel tank, Kaymar rear bar (twin wheel carrier), Black Widow rear storage system, Rhino rack, GME UHF, Codan HF, IPF HID lights, CSA Explorer 17" w/BFG Mud Terrain KM2 - see Australian 4WD Monthly #103
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| 9th Feb 2008 10:33 pm |
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caverD3
Member Since: 02 Jul 2006
Location: Oberon, NSW
Posts: 6922
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CW
Removing the replacing the hitch difficult and not necessary as Haggis said the D2 tongue fits into the receiver for normal trailer height. The hitch was designedto be flexible what ever you wish to tow. leave it on and it will not affect the departure angle at all.  “There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely gamesâ€
Ernest Hemmingway
D4 3.0 Active Diff, Adaptive Lights, High Beam Assist, Surround Cameras, Privacy Glass.
D3 2.7:Adaptive Headlights,Electronic Rear Diff,ARB Bar,Blaupunkt Speakers,JVC Powered Subwoofer,Removable Snorkel,Mitch Hitch,Pioneer After Market Head Unit,Steering Wheel Control Adaptor,Remote Adjustable Supension Rod System, Taxside Dual Battery System.
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| 10th Feb 2008 12:47 am |
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