 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Sankey Trailer what hitch do I need? |
 
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| Mike_B Member Since: 23 Jan 2011 Location: Moray Posts: 550   
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You need an adjustable tow hitch. Commonly known as a "Dixon bate drop hitch" and you'll need a NATO towing jaw. This allows you to mount the tow jaw onto an adjustable hitch that can be mounted high up on the rear to hitch up the trailer. You can buy two sliders, one with a tow all fitted, the other with your towing jaw. Both can be safely stored inside to prevent theft.
Another option is to mount a NATO tow hitch directly to the rear crossmember. There are four holes in the centre, just above your current towing setup. You will probably need to rewrite the electrics to enable connection to the standard 7 pin wiring. Bulbs may need changed too- they'll be 24v as standard, although this work may have already been done if you are buying from an individual, which I guess you are as its a Sankey, not a Penman. Legally, you need a breakaway cable fitted to the trailer. This allows the trailer brakes to be activated should the hitch fail and the trailer part company with the prime mover. |
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26th Dec 2015 8:17pm |
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| Stacey007 Member Since: 25 Sep 2015 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3758
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Mike thanks
Looking at the easiest and cheapest way is this the sort of thing that could bolt to the cross member? THat way I could still use both normal ball and the sankey? Seems the easiest and also means the sankey should be more level as high up?  many thanks |
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26th Dec 2015 8:33pm |
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| Mike_B Member Since: 23 Jan 2011 Location: Moray Posts: 550
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Do you know if the towing ring on your Sankey is able to rotate? Either the vehicle or the trailer (one only) must be able to accommodate rotation. If the trailer ring doesn't rotateZ that hitch is no use.
A genuine NATO tow hitch is the standard. They're tough, strong and can either rotate or lock. |
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26th Dec 2015 8:39pm |
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| Stacey007 Member Since: 25 Sep 2015 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3758
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Hello
The picture below shows the nato ring on the trailer and it appears to be movable? so a fixed hitch should be ok? That is the trailer I'm looking at?
thanks again |
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26th Dec 2015 8:53pm |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17450 
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That is a Mk2 widetrack Sankey and will have (I think) a non-rotating lunette, in which case you cannot safely tow it with the pintle you've pictured, you need a rotating pintle.
This is not the first time this question's been asked, if you have a look at past threads your requirement should become clear. If you were to bolt a pintle directly to the crossmember on a recent Defender you would also need to fit a reinforcing plate first. Last edited by blackwolf on 26th Dec 2015 9:16pm. Edited 1 time in total |
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26th Dec 2015 9:15pm |
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| Rosco Member Since: 03 Dec 2010 Location: Burntwood Posts: 1833 
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That's a MK2 trailer, jockey wheel at the front gives it away, and they have fixed towing eyes.
 2007 - Stornoway Grey 90 XS SW - Gone
2002 - Black Discovery II - Gone 2014 - Montalcino Red 110 XS SW |
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26th Dec 2015 9:15pm |
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| Stacey007 Member Since: 25 Sep 2015 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3758
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So a Mk2 = jokey wheel at front.
= I need a rotating nato hitch such as this... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NATO-SWIVEL-HITC...SwZ1lWetkk A lot to this.... |
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26th Dec 2015 9:22pm |
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| Rosco Member Since: 03 Dec 2010 Location: Burntwood Posts: 1833
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Fixed tailgate = narrow track
Tailgate and hinged leg = wide track mk1 Tailgate and jockey wheel = wide track mk2 Tailgate and swivelling jockey wheel plus disc brakes = wide track mk3 That is the hitch you want, especially at that price! 2007 - Stornoway Grey 90 XS SW - Gone 2002 - Black Discovery II - Gone 2014 - Montalcino Red 110 XS SW |
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26th Dec 2015 9:27pm |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17450
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That is the best possible pintle (it isn't a hitch, it's a "pintle", and the corresponding bit on the trailer is a "lunette") and is designed for both rotating and non-rotating lunettes.
You can bolt it directly to the cross-member but should fit a reinforcing plate if you do. See http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Land-Rover-Defen...Sw7aBVHobF You would be better off using a Dixon Bate adjustable mount with two sliders, one for your ball and one for the pintle. See http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Landrover-Defend...SwpDdVVeX9 |
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26th Dec 2015 9:41pm |
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| Mike_B Member Since: 23 Jan 2011 Location: Moray Posts: 550
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Pintle it may be, However as shown in every link posted up to now, they're colloquially known as a NATO Tow hitch
Just to clarify, the backing plate fits between the NATO hitch and the chassis crossmember. There are captive nuts inside the crossmember to accept the High Tensile mounting hardware. The welded loops are for a breakaway cable should the hitch fail. Keep it clean and greased and it'll last a lifetime. |
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26th Dec 2015 9:53pm |
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| Nevillerover Member Since: 14 Feb 2015 Location: Suffolk Posts: 224 
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I use a combined ball and NATO mounted to an adjustable Dixon bate so I can tow sankey or caravan.
It doesn't rotate but I figured that if I only tow on road the trailer is always in line with the Landy and will be ok. So far after many years, not had a problem. Wouldn't tow trailer off road with it tho. |
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27th Dec 2015 9:28am |
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| VeeTee Member Since: 06 Mar 2011 Location: Somewhere Posts: 1512 
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The reinforcing plate with eyes is on the outside of the crossmember. I also fitted a spreader plate on the back of the crossmember, idea stolen from member Retroanaconda on here. Excellent idea! Cheers, Vincent 1959 Polynorm 1/4 Ton Trailer, Olive Drab Green (sold) 1970 M416 Military Trailer (Camping Trailer Conversion), Epsom Green (sold) 1975 Series III 88 V6, Light Green (sadly sold) 1996 Defender 110 CSW 300 Tdi, Epsom Green (sold) 2000 Freelander 1 TD4 3-drs, Silver (sold) 2006 Freelander 1 TD4 5-drs Facelift Automatic, Tonga Green (sold) MySite |
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27th Dec 2015 10:33am |
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| Bumpymike Member Since: 18 Nov 2015 Location: cheshire Posts: 71 
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I have a spare nato hitch in garage - you can have for £30 ...it came off a MOD white fleet transit so don't think its been used much.
Am in Warrington. |
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27th Dec 2015 8:58pm |
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| Treebeard Member Since: 27 Jun 2012 Location: Forest of Dean Posts: 40 
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I have the illustrated parts list for the mark 2 (and mark 3) if you need it although couldn't see how to upload a file. I have a terrafirma 2" receiver fitted, which is like a spreader plate which ties back to the chassis rails. Rotating pintle bolted on top - rock solid.
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28th Dec 2015 4:21pm |
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