We have the farmers type removable hitch fitted to our 405. This was fitted by the dealer when we bought the car. However twice now after towing our twin axle caravan and on reaching our home and removing the hitch, the R pin which supposedly secures the hitch pin, has come out and been lost. This is clearly deeply concerning as there is nothing then to prevent the pin itself from coming out and taking the van with it! I’ve spoken to the dealer who says that he has never come across this before. My question is, has anyone else come across this and if so what is the problem and cure?

Never heard of that one - the R clips are usually very strong & wouldn’t vibrate off - I’d be suspecting some sort of foul play.

Other options are a bolt - on one of my L322’s, I had a bolt with an R clip as well

The other option is to buy a locking pin - like this

Thanks for that. Just ordered it off eBay. I can’t for the life of me think how those pins have come out because they usually need a firm grip and and a good pull to remove😮. There is a very small amount of play of the hitch within the receptacle which depending on the road surface sometimes makes a clonking type noise. Whether this exerts enough lateral force into the pin and in turn the R Clip is beyond me. I can’t believe someone would remove it, but who knows?

Thats very worrying, but have to agree with Alistair, I have used these for many years on commercial vehicles and never known one come out, the lock sounds a good idea.

Absolutely... These are used in both my mini digger and my ride on mower and in 10yrs plus hard labour, ive never lost one!

If the vibration bothers you - then Red Merle found a solution -

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic45243.html

Thanks for that link too. Just found that mine is fitted with an anti rattle bolt. Will have to give that a try when we’re out next.