 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > NAS spec rear step bumper and NATO hitch |
 
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| X4SKP Member Since: 29 Nov 2013 Location: Berkshire Posts: 2295   
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Hello blackwolf
Interesting... the holes on my the NATO hitch will definitely accept a M14 bolt (with the 'standard' holes at around 14.5mm painted so approaching 15mm unpainted) and with the NAS step-tow frame having 18mm holes I used the largest bolts that would fit. I have had the hitch back to bare metal (removing the army green colour) before refinishing it with epoxy, the holes looked unmodified then. The link provided does look exactly like mine. My NATO hitch definitely came from the British Army, it looked new and used (still in its waxed paper wrapping) I doubt (but don't know) that it was a factored part from China 
The NATO hitch looks  strong... and snaps shut with no play anywhere, it gives full confidence
The Rapier trailer has assisted breaking so helps when stopping fully loaded, at just under the width of the Defender it will follow you if things get tight and you line up your route well. Best accessory (when put to work) that I have. SKIP https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html |
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13th May 2014 3:16pm |
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| DiscoStu Member Since: 30 Jun 2007 Location: London/The far north Posts: 255 
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 Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Better late than never.....  My Disco 'best bits'
Defender 110 XS CSW 2013 |
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14th May 2014 11:49am |
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| DiscoStu Member Since: 30 Jun 2007 Location: London/The far north Posts: 255
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It's fabricated. 12 mm boiler plate at the rear, 8mm side supports with the rod across to strengthen. I'm looking at putting a support at the top back to the cross member. My Disco 'best bits'
Defender 110 XS CSW 2013 |
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20th May 2014 4:04pm |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17361 
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A brace to the crossmember would be a good idea, since any horizontal rearward load on the pintle will be multiplied about four-fold and taken entirely by the upper pair of bolts holding the bracket to the step at the moment. A forward horizontal load similarly on the lower pair.
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20th May 2014 4:44pm |
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| LittleFoot Member Since: 25 Aug 2012 Location: east sussex Posts: 233
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Sorry to re-open this thread but was wondering if I can use a Dixon Bates type adjustable - in the same orientation as DiscoStu's bracket as then I could slide off the NATO hitch when not in use? Anyone done the same?
Thanks, |
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10th Jun 2014 6:33am |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17361
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I don't in principle see any reason why you couldn't take a standard DB bracket, turn it uspside-down and bolt it to the NAS step, however you will definitely need to brace the top holes (which were designed to be the bottom ones) back to the cross-member. The result - provided that it is braced back to the cross-member - should be just about as strong as it would be if used the way DB intended.
It won't be type approved but doesn't need to be (assuming that your vehicle is Euro-"N" type-approved) and I suppose that if it failed your insurance company and Mr Plod may ask some difficult questions, but I see no reason for it not to work satisfactorily. |
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10th Jun 2014 12:13pm |
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| smb Member Since: 15 Jan 2013 Location: Cheshire Posts: 1232 
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Here you go. Apologies for the angle and quality of photo. What it doesn't show you is the additional brace that is bolted to the bottom two mounting holes of the fixed bracket. Even without the additional bracing I pulled 3400kg without any problem or any signs of deformation. At the current height it is not far off the correct height for a Mk3 Widetrack, but still too low for a standard Narrowtrack. And that is with a 2inch lift. I'm going to lift the main bracket up one set of mounting holes and do away with the brace as I never use the bottom most pin slots for the slider. Click image to enlarge[/img][url][/url] |
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10th Jun 2014 1:08pm |
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| LittleFoot Member Since: 25 Aug 2012 Location: east sussex Posts: 233
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Thanks guys,
SMB do you know the model number of your DB kit by any chance? I am assuming that the mounting holes on the back plate were correct dimension for the NAS step spacings? Did you use 2 or 4 bolts to fix it in place (back plate). Much appreciate the assistance 
LittleFoot |
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11th Jun 2014 8:13am |
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| smb Member Since: 15 Jan 2013 Location: Cheshire Posts: 1232
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Hi Littlefoot,
I can't remember the exact model number, but the back plate is for 150mm adjustment. There are 200 and 260mm sliders, but IMHO wouldn't try them in fear of distortion under emergency braking with a 3500kg load. The mounting plate has eight holes and bolted using four 8.8's on the upper four. The lowest two are bolted to a custom brace that goes back to the chassis where the brace for the NAS step is secured. It is a bit overkill and you probably wouldn't need it, but better to be safe than sorry!! As mentioned before, I'm going to remove the brace and position the backplate so it is secured to the NAS step using the middle four holes. Hope that helps. Steve |
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11th Jun 2014 9:24am |
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| foxkilla Member Since: 01 May 2009 Location: J23 M1 Posts: 156 
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Hi I have used an adjustable bracket like ebay item eBay Item No. 301094420787.
it is well made and adjustable, also bolts straight onto the nas style step. Click image to enlarge DEFENDER XS UTILTY 110 AUTO ONLY ACCURATE GUNS ARE INTERESTING |
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11th Jun 2014 10:21am |
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| LittleFoot Member Since: 25 Aug 2012 Location: east sussex Posts: 233
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Thanks all - in fact I was planning to flip the same back plate as Fox's upside so the pintle was closer to the x-member height but have decided to go a different route with a custom receiver being made up.
Pics to follow next week but thanks to all of you as your comments were very useful. LittleFoot |
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11th Jun 2014 8:53pm |
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| LittleFoot Member Since: 25 Aug 2012 Location: east sussex Posts: 233
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Hi all, thanks for all of your replies to the topic - they were all very helpful and convinced me a NAS Step could work with a Rapier trailer.
I thought I'd show my solution as it seems to work well. I had an American style box/receiver made up by a fabricator & bolted a NATO hook straight to it. Perfect height & can be removed, to save the dog injuring himself or some toe rag pinching it. I can also add a normal ball underneath it if required. Next issue is tyres / wheels for the Rapier then conversion.
Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge |
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13th Jul 2014 8:26am |
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| Sand Rover Member Since: 15 Jan 2015 Location: scotland Posts: 31  
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I know this is an old post, just looking at the pictures above ... I do like the nato hitch with the receiver bracket did that work ok was there any flex are you still using that setup ... was that self made or did you get a company to make that for you
cheers Dave |
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10th Feb 2016 8:19am |
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| LittleFoot Member Since: 25 Aug 2012 Location: east sussex Posts: 233
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Hi, yes had this made locally by a fabricator.
Works really well and had no issues. This is made extremely well & extra heavy duty, no flex observed to date, despite carrying the RAPIER with steel frame 2x roof tents and fully loaded. |
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10th Feb 2016 10:49am |
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