Member Since: 11 Oct 2022
Location: Bolton
Posts: 29
Alco hitch
Hi all, being new to disco ownership this may be a stupid question from a newbie.
One of the reasons we bought our D4 was for its towing capabilities for dragging our caravan around on the four or five times a year that it gets used.
The car didn't come with a tow bar so I'm looking to find a standard removable hitch
Is the standard removable hitch compatible with an Alco type hitch ?
Anyone have one that they are selling ?
24th Oct 2022 8:46 am
raysunners
Member Since: 17 Oct 2022
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 1
Google suggests just normal tow ball is compatible with alco
whilst it is compatable I would strongly suggest looking at a towtrust fixed bar.
24th Oct 2022 9:13 am
Snoopy11
Member Since: 11 Oct 2022
Location: Bolton
Posts: 29
Can I ask what the reason for this is..
24th Oct 2022 9:24 am
rrhool
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4400
There are two schools of thought. Some people are very happy with the removable towbar, and if looked after and fitted correctly, is perfectly good. The other camp have read all the horror stories about removable towbars falling out.
I did tow many things, including a caravan with the removable tow bar, but did change it to a TowTrust TL1 because I wanted to leave it in place all the time.
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Richard
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
Discovery 2 4.0 ES 2001- Gone
Discovery 1 300Tdi ES '95 - Gone
Range Rover Classic '79 - Gone
I used to tow a 1000KG offroad camper trailer with my D3 and removable tow bar when I used to live in Australia. Used to take it to the real outback and never had an issue. Have also towed the Tin Tent over here with no issues also. Just make sure it's fitted correctly and the pin locks in.
Otherwise some scrote will nick it to sell on eBay..
Dean
====================================
2011 D4 XS - OBD port protection, RLD spare wheel protector, All LED interiors lights, Timed Climate enabled, iiD tool paired.
2011 D4 Landmark - Stolen from same dealer before I paid for it
2011 D4 GS - Stolen whilst at dealer ... All LED interiors lights, DRLs, Spare Wheel protector.
1996 300Tdi - Eaten by tin worms
24th Oct 2022 11:33 am
ruggedpeak
Member Since: 10 Jun 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 1625
There was a recall on removeable tow bar brackets on D3/4's back in about 2015, depending upon the age of your vehicle you may wish to check it has been done.Tony
Club RLD Wheel Protector & Sump Guard
Club 4x4 Info activated
24th Oct 2022 11:40 am
jonno1
Member Since: 16 Jun 2010
Location: SW London
Posts: 707
The recall was an inspection of socket I believe but the dealership was strangely unforthcoming.
Ended up with the LR towbar being supplied and fitted without charge. I know several others who got the same treatment.
As the previous post, you need to get it checked.
24th Oct 2022 12:13 pm
Snoopy11
Member Since: 11 Oct 2022
Location: Bolton
Posts: 29
It's got several years of stealership history so hopefully its ok
I will double check though
24th Oct 2022 2:57 pm
al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10297
To answer your original question, yes the removable towbar is fine with the Alko hitch.
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Gone - MY18 D5 HSE - Corris on 22's with Black Pack
Now gone - MY16 D4 SE Tech, Loire Blue, Almond Leather, Privacy, plus some other goodies.
Old - MY12 D4 SDV6 XS Auto - Ipanema Sand with Almond Leather - Plus other niceties, and D4.com sticker
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24th Oct 2022 4:04 pm
ruggedpeak
Member Since: 10 Jun 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 1625
I could be talking but IIRC the issue was a mix of poor design and user error. The only thing stopping the tow hitch dropping out is the large pin at the rear of it. Due to the heavy duty construction of the hitch and the tight tolerances of the pin and it's hole, which get rust and crud on them it was possible to put the hitch in but only have partial engagement and seating of the pin even though it seemed and felt secure. I am no mechanic but using both the tow bar and NAS hitch options it was clear one had to be 200% certain the pin was fully engaged. This involved visual inspection underneath and judicious use of a lump hammer. Never had a problem. Never just shove it in and rely on the feeble locking mechanism to confirm it is properly engaged. The little red plastic insert is a must have for when no hitch is in situ to stop it filling with crud.Tony
Club RLD Wheel Protector & Sump Guard
Club 4x4 Info activated
24th Oct 2022 5:37 pm
HairyFool
Member Since: 04 Jan 2023
Location: Essex
Posts: 523
A neighbour given me his old hitch and I have been giving it the once over and trying it on the back of the D3.
Until I cleaned and relubed it triggering the release pin on the bench did not fire the lock fully so could see why it might not fully engage in the receiver. However when it happened the key would not release and will NOT release unless the lock bolt it fully out. The only way I can see the hitch can fall out is if someone assumes that lock is out and the fact that the key won't turn and release is a problem with the key side of things.
He must have been lucky but the neighbour did report that the key wouldn't release on occasions.A visitor from the dark side, my other vehicle is an MG5 EV
12th Jan 2023 7:15 pm
nigethecat
Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: Marnoch
Posts: 4145
Corris Grey D4 Commercial SE 2016
Zermatt Sliver 2007 D3 SE manual (gone)
Indus Silver D4 HSE 2015 (gone)
Bonatti Grey D3 HSE 2006 (gone)
White D3 S (LHD) 2007 (gone)
Firenze Red D4 HSE 2014 (gone)
Black RRS 3.6TDV8 2008 (gone)
Rusty Green Defender 110 1997 (gone)
Black FL2 HSE 2013 (gone)
12th Jan 2023 7:40 pm
RSRowe
Member Since: 27 Oct 2022
Location: Stoke on Trent
Posts: 10
I used to have a detachable on an old car and it was quite worrying how little actually holds the hitch in place.
This was further reinforced on my way back home from a day out at Cadwell Park, where there was a D3, a horse trailer on it's side with the hitch still in place, and a horse stood on the side of the road (the horse appeared to be unscathed).
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... All LED interiors lights, DRLs, Spare Wheel protector.
but IIRC the issue was a mix of poor design and user error. The only thing stopping the tow hitch dropping out is the large pin at the rear of it. Due to the heavy duty construction of the hitch and the tight tolerances of the pin and it's hole, which get rust and crud on them it was possible to put the hitch in but only have partial engagement and seating of the pin even though it seemed and felt secure. I am no mechanic but using both the tow bar and NAS hitch options it was clear one had to be 200% certain the pin was fully engaged. This involved visual inspection underneath and judicious use of a lump hammer. Never had a problem. Never just shove it in and rely on the feeble locking mechanism to confirm it is properly engaged. The little red plastic insert is a must have for when no hitch is in situ to stop it filling with crud.
