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***

more pictures...

Nice pics. To be honest, I never knew you could see that pin when it was engaged in the receiver. Guess I never looked up there. I'll give mine a look this weekend and see how it looks. It's time I took it out to oil it anyway...

That wonky thing has worked for me though. I don't tow a lot but I admit the same hesitancy when I put some weight behind the truck. Has held up and if it clicks in place it should be good. There is nothing in there that should have play as it's all solid steel (even if your handle moves back and forth a bit).

toddjb122 said:

Nice pics. To be honest, I never knew you could see that pin when it was engaged in the receiver. Guess I never looked up there. I'll give mine a look this weekend and see how it looks. It's time I took it out to oil it anyway...

That wonky thing has worked for me though. I don't tow a lot but I admit the same hesitancy when I put some weight behind the truck. Has held up and if it clicks in place it should be good. There is nothing in there that should have play as it's all solid steel (even if your handle moves back and forth a bit).

Click to expand...

Greatly appreciate you taking a look for me as a comparison. I have kept mine clean, oiled, and never left in truck besides a quick tow also. The piece of mind that its securely connected is pushing me to consider a bolt on hitch.

There is a small hole behind the quick mounting location, between the spare tire, where the lock pin engages, does yours extend so you can see it towards the spare?

when I insert my hitch receiver it locks in very solid. No play at all. The green handle does wobble a little. I have the newer short receiver, not sure if the pin is the same...

I recently heard about a recall on the towing hitch, the towing bar or something like that. LR was changing the old towing hitches for new versions, sorry I cannot remember I did not pay attention bc I don't ever tow...

I swapped out my OEM hitch for TLT's Rhino Hitch. I can't say enough about how much more I like it than the OEM hitch. It sits higher, attaches much more securely has a higher rating, and fits right over the tow plate area.
Check it out and ask about it.

toddjb122 said:

Nice pics. To be honest, I never knew you could see that pin when it was engaged in the receiver. Guess I never looked up there. I'll give mine a look this weekend and see how it looks. It's time I took it out to oil it anyway...

That wonky thing has worked for me though. I don't tow a lot but I admit the same hesitancy when I put some weight behind the truck. Has held up and if it clicks in place it should be good. There is nothing in there that should have play as it's all solid steel (even if your handle moves back and forth a bit).

Click to expand...

Any chance you had time over the weekend to compare hitches?

Towing Success with factory setup, thanks for input... Here is a pic:

That's good to hear, Jeb! Sorry, I kept forgetting to crawl under my truck to snap a pic.