Member Since: 06 Feb 2007
Location: Doncaster
Posts: 42
Fitting A US Hitch To UK Disco
Hi, long time no post for me. I had a D3 and am considering a D4 if I can get it to tow an Airstream Trailer. The issue is not the weight of the trailer but the nose weight which on some is up to 300kg. I can manage with 250kg but in the US the website says it will take up to 550lbs which is perfect.
Can anyone tell me what the max the UK hitch can take in terms of nose weight and if they have any experience of or now if I can buy and import a US tow kit and have it fitted here?
Thanks everyone.
18th Sep 2013 12:32 am
mcsimmo
Member Since: 08 Aug 2011
Location: North of the south
Posts: 1795
I think it might be easier to change the tow hitch on the Airstream wouldnt it? There are a couple of companies in the UK that change US hitches for UK ones. Also you may encounter insurance problems towing a van that does not have UK spec tow hitch.
I guess that you are thinking of buying a US Airstream? They do sell them in the UK now, so I guess they will be supplied with a UK tow hitch and electrics.
Just a thought.Man with no D3 anymore, but cant leave the forum....how sad.
18th Sep 2013 7:21 am
Russell
Member Since: 24 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
A friend is just having one built tows his current one with Audi A7. The nose weight is the same aximum as a D3/4 @150kg. You cannot tow with aything any higher.MY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
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18th Sep 2013 7:31 am
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
the nose weight limit on the D3 /D4 tow bar is 150Kg - does fitting a US hitch increase that limit ?Duncan
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18th Sep 2013 7:32 am
Russell
Member Since: 24 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
I do not believe it does maximum nose weight is as we have said 150 would not want to tow with more in any caseMY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
MY15 D4 HSE Kaikoura Stone
MY12 D4 HSE Nara Bronze Sold and gone
MY11 D4 HSE Stornaway Grey Sold and gone
D3 S spec Silver Sold and gone
Tow bar, full length roof bars, side steps, tow bar storage unit, surround camers.
D4 camera club
18th Sep 2013 7:38 am
biskit
Member Since: 23 Dec 2009
Location: in my Mancave.
Posts: 1365
I did'nt think you could use a USA hitch or an Austrailian type in the UK. Mantec sump guard.
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Member Since: 12 Oct 2009
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I've a feeling the weight limit on the NAS hitches is higher than the UK - will dig mine out of the garage later this week and check
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18th Sep 2013 2:27 pm
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
from the manual
Ensure trailer tyre pressures are set to
trailer manufacturer's recommendations.
• If the vehicle is loaded to maximum Gross
Vehicle Weight (GVW) the nose weight is
limited to 150 kg (330 lbs). See 202,
WEIGHTS.
• If it is necessary to increase the nose
weight up to a maximum of 250 kg (550
lbs), the vehicle load should be reduced
accordingly. This ensures that the GVW
and maximum rear axle load are not
exceeded.
so it would appear that the nose weight is limited by the GVW and axle load , and not the capability of the tow bar itself ??Duncan
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If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
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D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
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18th Sep 2013 3:14 pm
blue200tdi
Member Since: 23 Sep 2012
Location: Lincoln
Posts: 1094
Well that nose weight info is interesting, but there are other legal issues to do with EU regulations that I think you'll need to look into to stay legal.You guys are gonna be busier than a test bench in a plunger factory!
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18th Sep 2013 9:38 pm
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
many of us have driven around with NATO hitches , and they aren't legal. might be a different issue if the trailer comes loose and you have to make an insurance claim for the trailer though.
although having said that, when we had the accident in France last year and the car and trailer were trashed - no one mentioned the NATO hitch. not the gendarmes or the insurance company.Duncan
-----------------------------------------------------
If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D4 SE TECH MY15 SOLD
D4 XS MY12 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D3 HSE MY06 - Re-Cycled Worldwide
19th Sep 2013 6:50 am
leeds
Member Since: 30 Aug 2010
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 4312
Towing equipment has to be type approved for cars since about 1996.
However for commercial vehicles there is no need for towing equipment to be type approved.
So Nato hitches can be perfectly legal on the back off Land Rover as long as they are commercial vehicles.
Brendan
19th Sep 2013 8:44 pm
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Not an amazing picture, and it took me a while to get round to taking it but you can just about see the nose weight limit is 350kg and trailer limit 3500kg
Click image to enlarge
Discovery 3/4 & RRS keys cut and programmed at your home or work
Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto retro fit - see it here
BAS Remaps/ EGR Blanking
Software updates/ enabling
Mobile Servicing & Repairs
25th Oct 2013 11:19 am
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
reading the LR manual it says that the nose weight is 150Kg, but for other markets (US, AUS)that weight can be increased to 350Kg as long as the vehicles payload is reduced by 200kgs!Duncan
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If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D4 SE TECH MY15 SOLD
D4 XS MY12 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D3 HSE MY06 - Re-Cycled Worldwide
Fairly certain that US or other foreign hitches cannot be fitted to vehicles reg'd after a certain date - 1998??, as they do not meet/have type approval.
Looked into this sometime back, as some of the ARB and other similar bumpers have the slot in slot out tow hitch receiver. Really handy to be able to put a recovery point in or a small winch, etc, etc
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