Regarding the pin holes, it helps to mask the holes prior to painting, otherwise the holes get a bit too small for most pins. Done correctly it's a wonderfully tight fit!
My pin would not go in at all before I sanded away a few thou from the holes this was before painting and after painting I was able to work it in ok without any further action and it is now a firm tight rattle free fit.2007 TDV6 SE Towing 22' Boroma Primo Grandinata, Mitchell Bros. Tow Hitch, Bolle Tint, TomTom GoLive 825 GPS.
31st Oct 2008 7:43 am
Bunta
Member Since: 31 Jul 2008
Location: Mudgee NSW
Posts: 14
Most States and Territories require that towbars fitted to vehicles manufactured after the 1st July 1988 be fitted with tow bars that comply with Australian Design Rule 62/01. Fitting of bars that do not display a placard stating that they comply may incur the wrath of registration authorities and their enforcers as well as void new car warranties.
BB
8th Nov 2008 10:02 pm
Dan W
Member Since: 21 Jun 2008
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 355
My Disco was manufactured late October 2007, and I can't find anything that indicates the towing hardware complies with any design rules - let alone Aussie ones.
Having said that I'm sure that there are 100 components on my car that are supposed to comply with ADR's but have nothing on them to state it.
From looking at different caravaning forums it seems that the Aus Design rules for towing are in debate about whether these are laws or merely a guide that sets a standard. A bit like the Qulaity Assured company ticks. They mean you comply to a standard, but beyond that mean all.2012 MY13 SDV6 SE D4 Ipanema Sand with Almond leather
2012 TDI Passat - they reckon the DSG is crap, I reckon it's awesome
2010 MY11 Mitsubishi Challenger - Gone (it was a "Challenging Year")
2007 MY08 TDV6 SE - gone
The genuine LR tongue has a sticker stating the part number and the towing capacities but nothing about complying with ADR's2007 TDV6 SE Towing 22' Boroma Primo Grandinata, Mitchell Bros. Tow Hitch, Bolle Tint, TomTom GoLive 825 GPS.
11th Nov 2008 8:42 am
caverD3
Member Since: 02 Jul 2006
Location: Oberon, NSW
Posts: 6922
I know Aaron checked with his engineer about compliance. What was required was a plate stating the load rating, the manufacturer and each one hasd to have an individual serial number. The tow bar had to be fully tested and approved by an engineer in order to be rated. My understanding is that this is what is required to comply with ADRs.
Aaron ensures compliance of a lot of vehicle modifications so I would think his engineer would know what he is doing.
Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 62/01 –
Mechanical Connections Between Vehicles) 2006
13. ‘TOWBAR’ REQUIREMENTS
13.1. For vehicles fitted with ‘Towbars’ with a ‘Towbar’ maximum rated capacity:
13.1.1. of up to 3.5 tonne, the ‘Towbar’, towing bracket, towbar attachment and
vehicle structure must comply with AS 4177.1 - 1994 "Towbars and towing
brackets" or as amended from time to time.
13.1.2. of over 3.5 tonne, the ‘Towbars’, towing bracket, towbar attachment and
vehicle structure must conform with the Clauses 13.2 - 13.4.
13.2. ‘Towbars’ Marking Requirements:
13.2.1. Except where the ‘Towbar’ is an integral part of the vehicle the ‘Towbar’ must
clearly and permanently display the following information:
13.2.1.1. the ‘Towbar’ manufacturer’s name or trade mark; and
13.2.1.2. the "make and model" shown on the ‘Compliance Plate’ or trailer plate fitted
to the vehicle for which it is designed or the manufacturer’s part number; and
13.2.1.3. its maximum rated capacity expressed in numerals not less than 6 mm high.
The maximum rated capacity must be the ‘ATM’ in tonnes or the maximum
‘Coupling’ ‘D- value’ in kN for which the ‘Towbar’ is designed and must not
exceed the vehicle manufacturer’s rated capacity.
Federal Register of Legislative Instruments F2006L01453
13.2.2. Where the information required in clause 13.2.1 is not visible when the
‘Towbar’ is fitted to the vehicle, an additional plate clearly and permanently
marked and in a conspicuous position must be affixed to the vehicle adjacent to
the ‘Towbar’ showing the maximum rated capacity of the ‘Towbar’.
Nothing about having to state it complies.“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.
11th Nov 2008 9:06 am
Dan W
Member Since: 21 Jun 2008
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 355
If only legislation were that easy to interpret.
If it is written by the normal drafters who like to make sure that only someone with a law dgree can read it, the part stating it needs to be plated, or stamped meeting compliance would be in section 1, and it would say "For section 13 to take effect....blah blah blah". and regardless of what we or lawyers thought it said, a judge would say "but under the circumstances, the intent of the legislation....blah blah blah" 2012 MY13 SDV6 SE D4 Ipanema Sand with Almond leather
2012 TDI Passat - they reckon the DSG is crap, I reckon it's awesome
2010 MY11 Mitsubishi Challenger - Gone (it was a "Challenging Year")
2007 MY08 TDV6 SE - gone
11th Nov 2008 9:41 am
Dan W
Member Since: 21 Jun 2008
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 355
given the number of "views" on this thread I think it's clear the towing set up is a concern/area of interest for many. Should it be a sticky?
(I know it is what brought me to this very forum)2012 MY13 SDV6 SE D4 Ipanema Sand with Almond leather
2012 TDI Passat - they reckon the DSG is crap, I reckon it's awesome
2010 MY11 Mitsubishi Challenger - Gone (it was a "Challenging Year")
2007 MY08 TDV6 SE - gone
12th Nov 2008 9:19 am
Martin Krutli
Member Since: 17 Apr 2007
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 229
Towing Hitch
Well, as the originator of the thread, I'd agree with that - but don't know the protocols (or how to do it) around that. It's certianly been of value to me. I started it before buying my disco, being concerned about off-road towing. It's subsequently prompted a member (CaverD3) - cheers here - to undertake investigation and ultimately get a product designed, manufactured and on to the market - and it meets most of our requirements.
Full marks to Mitchell Bros for getting behind the project and putting up the money for development. I hope it's been commercially successful guys.
Just goes to show the power the site can have,
Cheers,
MartinMY08 TDV6 SE. White/Alpaca. BFG265/65/18 At's
Autologic, Trackside Dual Battery syst., Remote GME UHF, 4X4 Intelligence rear wheel carrier, Boab removable rear drawer system w National Luna fridge, Mitchell Bros hitch.
Rasta Plate. 110L LRA long-range fuel tank.
12th Nov 2008 10:21 am
caverD3
Member Since: 02 Jul 2006
Location: Oberon, NSW
Posts: 6922
I agree with Martin, (thanks too)
This thread is very close to the line of comercial posting for Aaron, so he has to be careful of what he says.
He is not really into LandRovers and the hitch is the only thing the produces for the disco.
I think the concern about the legality of the hitch was sorted at the begining as this is why the hitch was manufactured and plated to make it legal. many were making their own and were concerned about legality (me included)
Any non LandRover accessory could void warranty and has been discussed before and they would have to prove that the accessory caused a falure under warranty.
I am not concerned as I believe it complies with the regs and some LandRover Dealers have refered customers to Mitchelll Bros.
We have no evidence to say the hitch is not legal, just an opinion from Bunta.
I know he had to jump through a lot of hoops and spend a lot of money to get it to comply.
If we find evidence it doesn't comply because of a few words missing I am sure he could supply another plate and some glue.
No need to worry in WA.
http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/mediafiles/lic_ci-116a.pdf“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.
Note. This plate must not be attached to removable towbar tongue.
Have you noticed where genuine LR put theirs!!!!
Just completed our first run (500kms+) with the new Mitchell Bros Hitch and its performing up to expectations, Towing nice and level and even though it pushes the ball further back than the LR one seems to actually improve the tendency to dive with undulations in the road surface. Best of all nothing hanging down to drag on the road. Thanks for the brilliant design and excellent manufacture Aaron.
Our van is all up almost 3.5ton and the LR handles it brilliantly, and even more so now that it has a new hitch, that it should have come with in the first place. 2007 TDV6 SE Towing 22' Boroma Primo Grandinata, Mitchell Bros. Tow Hitch, Bolle Tint, TomTom GoLive 825 GPS.
12th Nov 2008 12:24 pm
Dan W
Member Since: 21 Jun 2008
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 355
Would it be possible to shorten the square tube, and drill a new hole to get the ball closer to the car?
(img from Laurie's gallery)
2012 MY13 SDV6 SE D4 Ipanema Sand with Almond leather
2012 TDI Passat - they reckon the DSG is crap, I reckon it's awesome
2010 MY11 Mitsubishi Challenger - Gone (it was a "Challenging Year")
2007 MY08 TDV6 SE - gone
12th Nov 2008 12:36 pm
norto
Member Since: 10 Apr 2006
Location: batemans bay
Posts: 1605
Lawrie
I cut a few inches off the tongue and drilled another hole in it.
Now the tongue goes right up flush with the face of the towbarPete
It is certainly possible and I was contemplating it but it would seem that other than having it sticking out further when uncoupled that there are no ill effects of that extra length. I am living on the road full time so to do this I would have to find someone who could do it and then pay for it and as it seems to be no problem I am prepared to live with it for the time being.
2007 TDV6 SE Towing 22' Boroma Primo Grandinata, Mitchell Bros. Tow Hitch, Bolle Tint, TomTom GoLive 825 GPS.
13th Nov 2008 12:46 am
RetiredBob
Member Since: 23 Feb 2006
Location: New South Wales
Posts: 183
Lawrie et al
I had my HR hitch shortened and new hole drilled at an engineering steel shop. Perfect fit now. See pic.
Click image to enlarge
Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated Retired Bob
2005 Disco 3 HSE TDV6 (Dual Battery, Snorkel, Nudge Bar, Kaymar Spare Wheel Carriers, Long Ranger Aux Tank. LED Shunt, Centre Console Cooler, New Tail Shaft, New Gear Box, Rigged for towing) Towing Trakmaster Van as often as possible
18th Nov 2008 6:10 am
Haggis
Member Since: 26 Jun 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 126
G'Day. I know I've been AWOL for a while, but in that time the Mitchell Bros tow bar, Disco3 and TVan have had a work out. There have been a number of small trips and the usual annual desert foray. The highlights of which were:
1. West on the Anne Beadel Highway and East on the Gunbarrel.
We did this ex Sydney (Bourke, Tibooburra, Camerons Corner, down the Streslecki, up the Oodnadatta and out to Cooper Pedy to get on the Anne Beadel. Home was via the Rock, King's Canyon (none of us had been to either of these for at least 8 years), and down the bitumen to Melbourne. From there I choose the mountain and coast route home.
2. A wet (and cold) weekend or two in the Blue Mountains over winter.
3. A run along some of NSWs western/outback rivers (dust/corrugations)
Through-out all this the Mitchell Bros tow bar performed faultlessly. Good ground clearance, easy to work around in terms of access to the rear of the vehicle etc, and clearly up to the task at hand.
If you are still thinking about it, time to get on with it.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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all.
