 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Detachable tow bar- type approval? |
 
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| leeds Member Since: 28 Dec 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 8580  
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The post 1998 towbar requirements applies to cars and does not apply to commercial vehicles or taxations class N1
All Hardtop Defenders, all pick up Defenders, all double cab Defenders, all UW Defenders are N1 class. All Defenders from end of 2010 (ish) were classified as commercials/N1 tax class. Would people who do not require a type approved towbar buy a type approved detachable tow bar? I would suggest that the current manufacturers of Defender detachable towbars have made the commercial decision not to go down the route of type approval as the cost would outweigh the benefits of the few extra sales they might gain. Brendan |
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26th May 2015 4:43pm |
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| John P Member Since: 26 Dec 2013 Location: West Sussex Posts: 313 
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Brendan, I’m a little confused. I’ve checked my V5C, and I have a 2012 Puma 2.2 90 XS. On the taxation class I have “Light Goods Vehicle” and on the Vehicle Category I have “N1”.
Does this mean I can fit and use a non-type approved towbar for towing? Thanks John |
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26th May 2015 4:55pm |
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| Cupboard Member Since: 21 Mar 2014 Location: Suffolk Posts: 2971 
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Yes.
Back on point, is the Dixon Bate one not type approved? It's on enough Defenders! |
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26th May 2015 5:09pm |
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| Chris86 Member Since: 15 Jul 2014 Location: South Yorks Posts: 788 
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Thanks for clarifying that Brendan, Have slightly amended my post reflecting that.
I would be very surprised if the Dixon Bate one wasn't- however the point is that it is not detachable, which would be very handy instead of the tow-plough standard unit! I can't help but think that there has got to be quite a lot of defender owners who fall into the not N1 and after 1998 classification for whom a detachable unit that is approved would be useful (me included!) Chris |
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26th May 2015 5:14pm |
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| X4SKP Member Since: 29 Nov 2013 Location: Berkshire Posts: 2295 
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Hello Chris86
I have just gone down the 'fixed installation' Dixon Bate Tow Frame route with a height adjustable set up allowing a 50mm Tow Ball at a 35cm height, and above this, a Nato Hitch at 50cm above ground. The Standard Kit from Dixon Bate is Type Approved E11, however I needed to make a new support frame to brace the set up in order to work with a NAS rear step, that technically takes it outside the E11 Approval Category, but as my Defender is a MY2011 and its Vehicle Category is N1... I think the advice so far is correct 'a non type approved set up can be used on N1 Vehicles' You are right though especially for a Defender which is sent out to be a first class tow vehicle... to not have a good selection of 'fold away'... 'detachable tow points' preserving the departure angle normally available or required on occasions is a bit mad... One area to improve on for the replacement Defender... 
I did see recently a Defender with this (removable) set up which is I think close to what you want... 
I looked it up (briefly) but could only find this kit available in Australia...  Click image to enlarge shop1auto http://www.shop1auto.com.au/New%20towbar%2...ender.html Type E11 Dixon Bate http://storage.cbf.uk.com/pdf/TOWINGACCESSORIES956.pdf Good Luck with your solution... SKIP https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html |
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26th May 2015 8:22pm |
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| leeds Member Since: 28 Dec 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 8580
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Australian version is Hayman Reece.
UK version is Safari Equip Fitted to our black 110. Non type approved, comes with drop plate, recovery billets and nato hitch plates available. We have had one off adaptors made for customers Click image to enlarge Brendan Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated  |
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26th May 2015 8:52pm |
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| PCA42 Member Since: 15 Jun 2014 Location: Church Stretton Posts: 468  
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I also run a 2" receiver set up on my 110, and also did on my 90 as pictured here:
Click image to enlarge I find them great, but mine is cat N1 so can run a non-type approved fine. Usually drive round with the recovery eye fitted, then just put the drop plate in when needed which isn't that often. With front receiver built into the bumper, it can be moved up front for manouvering trailers as well. Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated Pete
2010 Discovery 4 GS TDV6 1972 Series III 88" 2.25P |
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27th May 2015 12:13am |
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| mrandmrsh Member Since: 31 May 2010 Location: Huddersfield Posts: 692 
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Masai now have a 2" receiver version of the NAS step pictured on their website too. Looks rather neat (and for me would move the two at sufficiently away from the car to take my bike rack so is on the "near future" shopping list).
Click image to enlarge 2015 110 USW XS in Santorini with premium contrast leather seats in tan/black, black headlining and with Dual Finish alloys (in the garage, now on Wolf rims with Goodyear MT/Rs) 2012 '62' 2.2 X-Tech 110 USW now gone ... 1984 90 soft top with full roll cage, 200 tdi engine etc now sold 2012 USW XS 2.2 "FUU" now gone.... |
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27th May 2015 12:32am |
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| jst Member Since: 14 Jan 2008 Location: Taunton Posts: 8007  
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All 10my defenders, ie post 6 jul 10 are n1 Not all uw prior to that were n1. Hardtop, pu, dc were as you say. Cheers James 110 2012 XS Utility 130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper 90 2010 Hardtop 90 M57 1988 Hardtop |
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27th May 2015 6:06am |
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| TJ101 Member Since: 30 May 2007 Location: Taunton Somerset Posts: 3748  
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All 11my defenders, ie post 6 jul 10 are n1
The following year model start aprox July the previous year,, ie 10MY will have started in July 2009 From July 10,, N1 2011 models started California F1, 75th 110 "Kermit", 50th Ann V8, 90 V8 Hybrid, 55 Series 1 Main Brian James Trailer Dealer for South West UK |
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27th May 2015 6:51am |
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| Swac3 Member Since: 21 Feb 2015 Location: Aberdeen Posts: 363 |
At risko of necroing the thread and also hijacking it,
CAme accross this thread while forum searchng for answers to the same question, sadly its not really helped much and possibly opened up a can of worms. My baby is a 99 TD5, But an imported CKD brought back in 09, the V5 is bank of information regarding Mass, towing weights, Catagory, type approval etc. No model details In Body type its described as Light 4x4 Utility Tax class PLG Away with work right now so cant check the actuall VIN plate unfortunately. But now a bit concerned regarding towing in general rather than just if i can have a non type approved one. Ho hum Gary |
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31st Jul 2015 1:04pm |
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| Bigspenner Member Since: 17 Nov 2014 Location: Leeds Posts: 3
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I have read up on this a lot as I really want a quickly detachable towbar but cant find one.
These regulations have applied to N1 class vehicles too since 2012 from what I have read and my car is a 2015 so I am a bit stuffed. I don't know if the age of the car even matters as it may well be that yo9u cant fit non approved towbars after 2012 and the age of the vehicle isn't relevant. This seems most likely. The following link explains it quite well. http://www.witter-towbars.co.uk/latestnews/?p=686 If anyone has found someone who does an approved one please post it as a quickly detachable towbar is high up my shopping list. have fun chaps and chappesses  |
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12th Apr 2016 11:47am |
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| discomog Member Since: 09 May 2015 Location: Notts/Lincs Border Posts: 2526 
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I know that there has been much discussion over recent years regarding the safety aspect of detachable tow bars, particularly on the Discovery 3/4, some of this discussion has been on the Disco3 forum and a lot of coverage in Horse and Hound magazine. A number of horse trailers have become detached from Discos with detachable tow bars with some disastrous results. I was originally warned off having a detachable fitted to my first Disco 3 some 12 years by a JLR dealer because they did not believe the fixation was fit for purpose. Personally I would not consider fitting one, I feel safer with a fixed installation that I can easily check for security.
With effect from April 2009 tow bars are inspected as part of the MOT test. Of course if your tow ball is detached at the time of the MOT then it is not inspected so it is always a good idea to have it in place when taking it to your MOT Station. Last year at a horsey event I did notice that someone with a FFRR was towing with a detachable tow ball which still had the key left in - had the owner forgot to remove the key or was the key left in place because he could not remove it due to the tow ball being fitted incorrectly? I left a warning note on his windscreen and hoped he got home safely. Defender 90XS SW Mini Countryman Cooper S Morgan Plus 8 |
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12th Apr 2016 1:07pm |
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| RogerG Member Since: 02 Sep 2014 Location: Exeter Posts: 24 
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I got my NAS style receiver from David Bowyer of Goodwinch, paired this with a front receiver bumper from First Four - just make sure you get the modified steering guard as you can't get to the mounting pin unless there are big enough holes in the guard to get your hand through! Fitted Anderson connectors front and rear so can use the winch, tow bar or recovery point wherever needed. Less chance of getting a demountable winch nicked as well! Front numberplate is held on with HD Velcro which covers the receiver hole which makes it easy to remove and keeps the receiver clean.
Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge |
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12th Apr 2016 1:09pm |
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