Safety Concern: Quick Release Hitch Receiver on LR3 #KNB500023
 

Hoping to gain some reassurance from this knowledgeable community on my Quick Release Hitch Receiver for 05' LR3, I have search many forums but still do not feel confident. I feel the "lock pin" is not fully engaging and could be a risk towing trailer.

>> Hitch Receiver Lock pin extends further out when not installed, and the lock handle turns approximately 20 degress more.

Looking to tow a 21ft boat in the upcoming weeks on a short trip and as I have used my setup for bike racks and small utility trailers, something with significant weight has not been towed yet. I have included a few pictures of the hitch receiver installed fully, I tried to show the "lock pin"...

> 2005 Land Rover LR3 w/ full size spare.
> OEM Quick Hitch Receiver Part # KNB500023
> Once receiver is engaged into truck, the lock key is release as this is proper function to my understanding.
> Receiver was Painted from previous owner, I scrapped off paint to make sure it was not restricting full engagement.

Please review pictures and let me know opinion on if it looks correct to you or supply pics of your setup. Truly appreciate your feedback...

***RED DOTS in pictures is the lock pin I am concerned with***

Your best bet is to scrap it. The last fellow on here who decided to do repairs, had his fall off. Here's a picture of my setup. More pics here.

http://www.disco3.co.uk/gallery/albu...155706-s~0.jpg

More on the subject here as previously mentioned;
https://landroverforums.com/forum/lr...ssembly-75148/
https://landroverforums.com/forum/lr...ighlight=hitch

[QUOTE=unseenone;539834]Your best bet is to scrap it. The last fellow on here who decided to do repairs, had his fall off. Here's a picture of my setup. More pics here.


Scrap it? For what reason? Yes, I am concerned somehow it is not correct but it is fully locked in, the received slides into truck tightly with no "wiggle", lock key releases, and it has worked thus far. The lock pin that does not extend as far as it would if not installed in truck is my only reason to second guess the strength.

What is this Rhino Hitch your promoting? Do you sell it? I cannot find it forsale...

That's my opinion. Others may disagree. You have version 1 out of at least 3 from LR. There is some sort of recall service action on these, because of the problems, but the fix is worse than the problem IMO.

I dropped you a PM with e-mail address.

The long version is the worst one. I have seen several that snapped in half when towing something. You want the short stubby version if towing anything of value or weight. I have seen some aftermarkets that bolt to the frame. Not sure how I feel about them. Not good is my first feeling.

All I know is that I have towed my built D2 on a car trailer over 10k miles with my LR3 using the factory shorty hitch and never had an issue

Thanks for your reply Erik, I will purchase the newer version but my concern is that I have a full size spare tire? Will it still fit? For the benefit of my sanity towing I will probably drop the full size spare when towing just to be sure it does snap the longer version.

I don't believe the spare gets in the way at all. I have a full size spare and I use the (shorter version) OE hitch receiver. Works fine. I just use it for a bike rack so my concerns are not along the same lines as yours; but no interference from the spare.

That is correct. There is zero interference from the spare tire.

Towing Success with factory setup, thanks for the input... I may sell my Version 1 (Long) and pickup the newest shorter hitch style based on conversations. Here is a pic, I know we all like to see photos:

At first I had concerns about the latest version hitch installed on my 08 LR3. It was slightly tilted down, had a bodyshop look at it and determined nothing could be done as the slot it plugs into is one piece, nothing looks bent. I did see another LR3 and noted theirs had the slight slant as well. Thanksgiving weekend I towed a 28ft travel trailer with no problems at all. Very happy how reasonably well it towed.