DEFENDER2.NET - View topic - Trailer help for a Lightweight

↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home · FAQ · New Posts · My Posts · PMs · Search · Members · Map · Calendar · Profile · Donate · Register · Log In

Home > Technical > Trailer help for a Lightweight

Page 1 of 1

Print this entire topic ·

JW911

Member Since: 06 Dec 2023
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 11

Trailer help for a Lightweight

When I bought my Lightweight, I had the option on a Sankey. Given that it was holes joined together by rust, chassis included, and would have cost a pretty penny to put right, I passed on it.

I have a normal trailer which I acquired from Gumtree, which I use a couple of times a year and has seen better days. However, a recent upgrade program at home has meant the Freelander (usual tow car) went a year or so ago in favour of a Jag F-Pace with no tow bar, so the tow car became our FFRR. That has now been replaced by another FFRR, this time without a tow bar.

A first world problem now ensues. Do I get a towbar fitted to the FFRR or do I buy a Sankey? Given my towbar options, there’s not a lot in it price wise.

Please talk to me about Sankeys/Penmans, etc. Lightweight is a 24v with a NATO hitch. Also JW911 on FullFatRR

2021 3.0 P400 Vogue
2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster - gone!
2007 3.6 TDV8 Vogue - gone!
2003 V8 HSE (LPG) - gone!
2018 F-Pace 25t Portfolio
1974 LR Series III Lightweight FFR
2014 BMW 640i Gran Coupe

5th Feb 2025 1:27pm

Mdm

Member Since: 11 Sep 2013
Location: Sunny Lancashire
Posts: 1637

sankys are old and rusty and parts are had to find for them but they do look good behind a lr

Penamns all the way for me stainless tubs and wolf wheels and they tow great

5th Feb 2025 5:24pm

blackwolf

Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17602

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey

A Sankey narrow-track would be the most appropriate for a light-weight and would match the track-width, a wide-track or Penman will be wider than the Land-Rover.

5th Feb 2025 5:45pm

JW911

Member Since: 06 Dec 2023
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 11

This is the hitch (fixed, I think):

Click image to enlarge Also JW911 on FullFatRR

2021 3.0 P400 Vogue
2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster - gone!
2007 3.6 TDV8 Vogue - gone!
2003 V8 HSE (LPG) - gone!
2018 F-Pace 25t Portfolio
1974 LR Series III Lightweight FFR
2014 BMW 640i Gran Coupe

5th Feb 2025 7:11pm

blackwolf

Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17602

That's a standard rotating pintle so you can tow either rotating or fixed lunettes.

5th Feb 2025 7:28pm

JW911

Member Since: 06 Dec 2023
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 11

Thanks. Remember, I know just enough to be dangerous.

Also JW911 on FullFatRR

2021 3.0 P400 Vogue
2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster - gone!
2007 3.6 TDV8 Vogue - gone!
2003 V8 HSE (LPG) - gone!
2018 F-Pace 25t Portfolio
1974 LR Series III Lightweight FFR
2014 BMW 640i Gran Coupe

5th Feb 2025 8:30pm

Ramsay

Member Since: 30 Sep 2015
Location: Moffat, Dumfries & Galloway
Posts: 632

1995 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Auto Keswick Green

Remove clip and take pin out at the bottom. The fingers will drop down allowing hitch to rotate. Put the pin back in.

Do you have somewhere undercover to store a Sankey? No matter that it has drain holes or that you can tip it up they always seem to get water pooling in part of them. They tow very well behind the Lightweight. The Penman with the tailgate is a bit more practical. 1995 Defender 110 CSW
1971 SIIA Lightweight

6th Feb 2025 10:49am

JW911

Member Since: 06 Dec 2023
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 11

Yes, I have storage. Also JW911 on FullFatRR

2021 3.0 P400 Vogue
2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster - gone!
2007 3.6 TDV8 Vogue - gone!
2003 V8 HSE (LPG) - gone!
2018 F-Pace 25t Portfolio
1974 LR Series III Lightweight FFR
2014 BMW 640i Gran Coupe

6th Feb 2025 5:58pm

sako243

Member Since: 08 Jul 2014
Location: Wales
Posts: 1233

1994 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Alpine White

I personally wouldn't bother with a Sankey / Penman as whilst okay offroad they're pretty impractical for anything else.

You've already got a normal trailer so I'd see about fitting a normal hitch to one of your vehicles. When you say FFRR is that a nice looking one (I'm biased) in the L322 or an L405? I'm not familiar with the 405 but on an L322 a few years back it was a few hundred quid for a complete setup from pfjones to fit one to my TDV8. Afternoons work removing the bumper and swapping over brackets to install the big cross beam that took the tow bar. I wouldn't know about the L405 I'm afraid.

The FFRR will run rings around any other vehicle for towing duties and can tow 3.5t if you needed it with ease.

It may however be easier / cheaper to find a drop plate to put a normal hitch onto your lightweight. Ed
82 Hotspur Sandringham 6x6
95 Defender 110 300Tdi

7th Feb 2025 8:17am

JW911

Member Since: 06 Dec 2023
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 11

As of last week, it’s a late L405. After three L322s, the last one was getting to be a bit long in the tooth to be a daily, hence we’re having this discussion. Funnily enough, the salesman and I both agreed we’d have a 322 instead were they the same age/mileage. Thanks for the thought. Realistically, that is the way I will probably end up going. Also JW911 on FullFatRR

2021 3.0 P400 Vogue
2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster - gone!
2007 3.6 TDV8 Vogue - gone!
2003 V8 HSE (LPG) - gone!
2018 F-Pace 25t Portfolio
1974 LR Series III Lightweight FFR
2014 BMW 640i Gran Coupe

7th Feb 2025 8:23am

Page 1 of 1

All times are GMT

Jump to

< Previous Topic | Next Topic >

Posting Rules

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum