 | Home > Puma (Tdci) > Tow bar question |
 
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| geobloke Member Since: 06 Nov 2012 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 4410  
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Crikey, back in the old days you'd just bolt the adjustable ladder to the Series 3 or Defender tow plate (as you suggest) and off you go, but I suspect that may be frowned upon these days.
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12th Sep 2023 7:41am |
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| Dinnu Member Since: 24 Dec 2019 Location: Lija Posts: 3414  
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I had the same problem that I needed different tow ball height setup - but since it was occasional, I simply relocated the tow ball on one of the 3 heights available on the tow plate.
However I wonder if something like in this link could be a solution. Unfortunately I am not near to my Defender to measure the hole spacing and if they match with those on the tow plate. https://www.ebay.de/itm/373866563048?_trkp...%3A4429486 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing 2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black |
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12th Sep 2023 7:44am |
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| Rosco Member Since: 03 Dec 2010 Location: Burntwood Posts: 1833 
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 Click image to enlarge Bolt the drop plate to your existing setup. I'd recommend the 2 pin type over the 1 pin style to reduce rattling, as there's enough of that going on. I even went the extra mile and bought a 2nd drop plate which I've fitted the bike rack mount to 2007 - Stornoway Grey 90 XS SW - Gone 2002 - Black Discovery II - Gone 2014 - Montalcino Red 110 XS SW |
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12th Sep 2023 8:01am |
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| camelman Member Since: 27 Feb 2013 Location: Peak District Posts: 3370
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Can your Nato hitch rotate when at that height with the 50mm ball in that position?
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12th Sep 2023 8:17am |
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| Rosco Member Since: 03 Dec 2010 Location: Burntwood Posts: 1833
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Yes, but the securing tab is tight on the ball coupler so I tend to fit it upside down to make it an easier fit. Securing tab then obviously locked open.
It will fit further up, but the spare wheel postion then fouls the hitch from opening 2007 - Stornoway Grey 90 XS SW - Gone 2002 - Black Discovery II - Gone 2014 - Montalcino Red 110 XS SW |
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12th Sep 2023 11:21am |
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| camelman Member Since: 27 Feb 2013 Location: Peak District Posts: 3370
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I went for a removable 2 inch receiver in the end with a number of attachments, 50mm ball, Nato hitch, pin or step.
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12th Sep 2023 11:30am |
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| tristanpowter Member Since: 13 Aug 2023 Location: Newmarket Posts: 13 
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Great thanks , my understanding is that the drop plate you have only requires 2 bolts to existing plate (not 4) is that correct? |
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12th Sep 2023 6:19pm |
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| JOW240725 Member Since: 04 May 2015 Location: Suffolk Posts: 7904 
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This page should probably help with all you need.
https://www.lrworkshop.com/diagrams/land-r...mbly_44765 James MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641 MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557 Instagram @suffolk_rovers |
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12th Sep 2023 6:59pm |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17361 
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It's not possible to determine the year of your vehicle from the photo but you might want to bear in mind that if it is recent enough to require a type approved towbar (i.e., first registered on or after 31/10/2012) simply bolting a ladder onto your current drop plate is unlikely to be legal. A safer option (from the compliance standpoint) would be to fit the proper adjustable set-up which is fully type approved.
Edit: I note from your grill thread that it's a 60 plate so old enough as an N1 vehicle NOT to need a TA towbar. |
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12th Sep 2023 7:18pm |
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| tristanpowter Member Since: 13 Aug 2023 Location: Newmarket Posts: 13
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Thanks all for the above info ! Yes makes sense
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12th Sep 2023 7:35pm |
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| Dinnu Member Since: 24 Dec 2019 Location: Lija Posts: 3414
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I would not trust it on 2 bolts. Reason is that if you adjust the height such that you are much higher or lower than the attaching bolts, the forces are amplified by the ratio of the distances, and always greater than originally designed. Granted that an M16 bolt can handle quite a load, but have seen them fail spectacularly when abuse. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing 2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black |
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13th Sep 2023 4:02am |
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| X4SKP Member Since: 29 Nov 2013 Location: Berkshire Posts: 2295 
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Hello tristanpowter
As blackwolf says not requiring a type approved set up gives you more ‘room to manoeuvre’ in considering what you could do. The Dixon Bate kit together with various pdf plans are available on-line so it’s possible to work out what will you’ll get, working back from what you want (I hope that makes sense  )
I needed a tow ball centre height of around 345mm, and have achieved this off the back of my 90 and my wife’s 110 (MY 2010 / 2011 respectively), both can accept a NATO hitch when required…. (X-MOD Trailer). As commented on, good to aim for the best set up possible, particularly (IMO) with bracing metalwork back to the chassis, if you have a ‘low’ end result assembly… Here’s generally the approach I took… https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242-15.html (scroll well down…) Good luck…  SKIP
https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html |
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13th Sep 2023 11:07am |
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