 | Home > Technical > Converting from Fixed Towbar to Adjustable Towbar |
 
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| twinspark Member Since: 04 Apr 2015 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 18   
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Hi Folks - First ever question on this mine of information so please go easy!
I have a 2013 Defender 110 fitted with a "Standard" Landrover Towbar which is bolted to the rear cross member and has the legs that run to the chassis. The height of the tow ball is adjustable if you are happy to get out your socket set and have spare nylock nuts! I'm interested in the Thunderman Bike Rack Boom so I can go back to using my Thule Bike Carrier instead of the Pendle one I got when I bought my Defender (it works OK but is a bit of a fiddle and more time consuming to use - plus the back door can't be opened with bikes in place). The Thunderman needs the Height Adjustable Towbar that uses the sliding plates and the locking pins. Here's the details of the Thunderman http://vi.raptor.ebaydesc.com/ws/eBayISAPI...6731976885 Questions:- - Are all Adjustable Towbars the same? I'd probably prefer genuine Land Rover however Dixon Bate also appears to be mentioned a lot. Are the parts between the various systems interchangeable? - I guess my question is if the width of the rails where the pin goes through is to a set standard? - Is there a conversion kit between what I've got and the adjustable system? Indeed, looking at some pictures it almost looks like the adjustable bit that bolts to the rear cross-member could bolt to my existing vertical bit? I've tried looking on-line but all seem to be complete kits with the bits that run to the chassis - are the bits that run to the chassis different between the towbar systems? Any advice / pointers would be much appreciated! |
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14th Nov 2015 2:31pm |
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| Retroanaconda Member Since: 04 Jan 2012 Location: Scotland Posts: 2647
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Land Rover ones are made by Dixon Bate.
All you need to do is unbolt your fixed one and fit the sliding one. I wouldn't mix and match personally. You need this sort of kit (but for your age of vehicle - not sure what changed): http://www.paddockspares.com/lr007222-dixo...-2006.html |
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14th Nov 2015 4:10pm |
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| kmac Member Since: 07 Oct 2009 Location: Middlesex Posts: 1309  
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Hi I would check with the seller whether this would fit a standard tow ball. I read their description as "it would also fit an adjustable tow ball" not that one is a required
Actually looking at the pics I think you are right it is required  Click image to enlarge |
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14th Nov 2015 6:51pm |
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| Gatecrasher Member Since: 19 Mar 2016 Location: Surrey Posts: 76 
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Hi Twinspark,
I'm in similar position, considering a Dixon and Bates height adjustable tow bar with the boom thunderman attachment to use a Thule bike rack, I just wondered how you have got on? Many thanks |
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11th Jun 2016 10:32pm |
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| Stacey007 Member Since: 25 Sep 2015 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3751
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This is also what I'm looking at
 again so I can use the Thule rack I already have. |
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12th Jun 2016 7:45pm |
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| Gatecrasher Member Since: 19 Mar 2016 Location: Surrey Posts: 76
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Hi Stacey, agree, thumbs up for Thule racks, I used to use mine on a previous RRS and worked well with click on and go, built in light board and tilt facility for easy access to boot, exactly the same me thinks on a Defender, apart from the spare wheel aspect!
Has anyone else got any first hand experience using the "Boom Thunderman"?? I wondered about security, is their anyway to lock the Boom Thunderman to the vehicle like you can the Thule? |
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12th Jun 2016 10:47pm |
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| twinspark Member Since: 04 Apr 2015 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 18
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Hi Gatecrasher and Stacey007,
Got the Thunderman Boom along with the Universal Bracket which allows use on non Land Rovers / Land Rovers without the adjustable tow bar. Universal Plate fixes with 2 bolts for the tow bar and two bolts just above this. Didn't go well on a short test drive with the Thule rack and 4 bikes. The universal plate has no bolts at the top and the leverage of the rack pulls it away at the top where the through bolt goes through. By the end of the test drive, the plate had bent and the bike rack was appreciably down at heel. Just need to sort out an adjustable Land Rover rack to give it another try. Another down side of the Universal bracket is that it comes with a towbar with a shorter neck than the Land Rover fixed one. This could cause issues when towing. The shorter neck to bar is needed as a vertical plate on the Boom rests against it, so the boom is supported at one point - with an adjustable tow bar, as far as I can see it would be supported along each side of the vertical plate. The Boom itself seems well made although the vertical plate is not welded along its entirety. I think I would like to have seen additional welding (although I'm not a welding expert) and fillets to reinforce the vertical plate (I'm maybe thinking Forth Bridge engineering where it's not required!). Will report back once I get the adjustable tow bar - just been too busy at present. With the Thule rack (adjusted to allow tipping as far as possible) it is possible to tilt it so that the back door can almost open completely - just a small bit of padding on the rack would be needed for piece of mind. I think I'd probably make a prop to share the weight of the bikes directly to the ground when the rack is fully tilted. Loading the bikes back on the rack for the test drive reminded me how good and user friendly the Thule rack is! |
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13th Jun 2016 7:23am |
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| Gatecrasher Member Since: 19 Mar 2016 Location: Surrey Posts: 76
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Hi Twinspark, many thanks for your detailed feedback and progress thus far.
Sorry to hear universal plate was a failure, we look forward to hearing how it goes with the adjustable tow bar instead! Could you confirm or can you forsee if their is anyway of securing ( from a theft point of view) the Boom to the adjustable part of the tow bar?, or a general question to all, can you secure the adjustable part of a tow bar to the fixed part on the chassis? Only ask as you know the beauty of the Thule rack when placed directly on to the tow bar/ ball, is lockable 
Cheers |
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13th Jun 2016 10:38am |
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| twinspark Member Since: 04 Apr 2015 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 18
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Hi Gatecrasher,
I measured the hole in the securing bolt and I believe an Abus 85/40 (HB40) padlock would be suitable. The bolt diameter is 19mm and the hole appears to be 6mm. I don't know if this is consistent with the bolts on Dixon Bate slider plates or not - I've certainly seen them padlocked on. |
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13th Jun 2016 7:37pm |
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| jst Member Since: 14 Jan 2008 Location: Taunton Posts: 8034  
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[quote="twinspark"] Another down side of the Universal bracket is that it comes with a towbar with a shorter neck than the Land Rover fixed one. This could cause issues when towing. /quote]
the way i read it, its not meant for towing anyway. just bike racks Cheers James 110 2012 XS Utility 130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper 90 2010 Hardtop 90 M57 1988 Hardtop |
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13th Jun 2016 7:55pm |
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| Gatecrasher Member Since: 19 Mar 2016 Location: Surrey Posts: 76
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Thanks Twinspark for confirming you are able to secure with a padlock through the end of the securing bolt.
Hi Stacey007, have you already got the adjustable tow bar? If so are you likely to try the Boom Thunderman idea? Other theories I had been considering previously are fitting a NAS Step ( as it sticks out further than a fixed tow bar), with my Thule 3 bike rack ( no extender available to make it into a 4 bike rack) and buying spare wheel adapter, but then I can only fit 2 bikes on the rack and I need 3! 
You would of thought Thule would have a solution as they are the experts  |
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15th Jun 2016 9:40am |
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| Stacey007 Member Since: 25 Sep 2015 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3751
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Hello
With our holiday looming I need a way of carrying three bikes on the car so will tomorrow buy the boom bar. Once it arrives I will report how the thule rack fits etc, I'm hopeful it will be ok? It looks like the best solution given I already have the Thule rack. Thanks |
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28th Jun 2016 9:24pm |
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| Gatecrasher Member Since: 19 Mar 2016 Location: Surrey Posts: 76
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Great, look forward to hearing your feedback, where are you venturing off to? I'm planning a Wales trip
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29th Jun 2016 11:01am |
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| Stacey007 Member Since: 25 Sep 2015 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3751
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Hello
Bought it says it should arrive Monday or Tuesday... Since owning the Landy I've been Camping in York, twice up to the lakes Glamping and its next trip is off to Europe ending in Annecy
Looking forward to it, although its the slowest car I've taken their with no cruise etc..
Sorting my sound proofing out to see if that helps and so far I'm impressed. Saying that I tend to stick at 60mph nowadays as if I'm towing. Far more relaxing
Once I have it and see how it works I will post some pictures, I'm hoping it does work as I don't have a plan B |
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29th Jun 2016 1:13pm |
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