↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Adjustable height towbar - what do I need?
Post Reply  Down to end
Page 1 of 1
Print this entire topic · 
alpacaman



Member Since: 07 Mar 2016
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 160

United Kingdom 
Adjustable height towbar - what do I need?
Can anyone tell me what I need to convert this into a Dixon Bate adjustable height tow hitch (i.e. the one with the slider) on my 1989 LR90 truck cab?


Click image to enlarge


Obviously I could buy the whole shebang for £100, but seems silly to do that if I can just bolt the receiver plate on to what I already have.

Can anyone advise?

PS. Whilst I'm at it, how easy is it to knock those dents in the cross member back out again - they're really bugging me.
Post #575597 5th Nov 2016 10:02am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Spruce Pirate



Member Since: 08 Feb 2013
Location: Stirlingshire
Posts: 124

Scotland 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 HT Zambezi Silver
Looking out of the window at ours it looks as though you might be able bolt it straight on, but difficult to say for sure from just looking at it. By the time you buy the receiver and the slider and pin how much do you really save on just buying the whole kit? Also ask yourself if you really need it. I tow 4 trailers on a regular basis and only adjust the height for one of them and could get away without adjusting really. It really comes into its own if you have the likes of a Sankey and a trailer with a ball/pin hitch - two sliders one with NATO coupling and one with a normal ball/pin. Height adjustment also very handy for the Sankey.

P.S. No use on dents, never repaired one in my life! Dirty Deeds - Done Dirt Cheap
Post #575617 5th Nov 2016 1:01pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
alpacaman



Member Since: 07 Mar 2016
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 160

United Kingdom 
Thanks. Doubt I'll save a lot on buying the whole kit. At least if I do that I then have the old one to sell to get some money back. Main reason for needing one is that I tow what is probably a home made plant trailer which has a lower than normal height hitch, and I don't really want the towbar on the 90 down low all the time.
Post #575618 5th Nov 2016 1:08pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
LandRoverAnorak



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11324

United Kingdom 
I don't think a Dixon Bate will do want you want as the bottom of the fixed frame or ladder part will be as low as it's lowest setting. Removing the slider with the hitch on won't make it any higher. Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Post #575632 5th Nov 2016 3:23pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
alpacaman



Member Since: 07 Mar 2016
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 160

United Kingdom 
That's a fair point. You may have just saved me £100 Wink

EDIT: Actually, just been looking at pics of the proper kit fitted (DA2121), and I may have misunderstood you. I'm pretty sure that with the slider at its lowest setting, and the towball bolted to the bottom two holes, it will be considerably lower than where the current one is and should do what I need.

Only one way to find out I suppose...
Post #575639 5th Nov 2016 4:30pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
leeds



Member Since: 28 Dec 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 8580

United Kingdom 
DA2121 is a Britpart number. Item is DB202023 from Dixon Bates/Bradley Doublelock/Alko


If you wish to have a lowered towball consider the Nakatanenga lowered towball available here


Brendan
Post #575684 5th Nov 2016 8:14pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
LandRoverAnorak



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11324

United Kingdom 
Yes, you can get the tow ball to be lower than the standard fixed mount. My point was though, that removing the tow ball won't get you back any clearance as the lowest point will still be the fixed DB frame. Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Post #575711 5th Nov 2016 9:50pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
alpacaman



Member Since: 07 Mar 2016
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 160

United Kingdom 
Ah OK. I see what you mean now.
Post #575740 6th Nov 2016 3:30am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Retroanaconda



Member Since: 04 Jan 2012
Location: Scotland
Posts: 2637

Scotland 
I have the standard Dixon Bate adjustable jobbie on my 90 and have done for years. Can see it here:


Click image to enlarge


I don't find it a big problem off-road, but then I only really do greenlaning. It does knock on the odd rock step and if you are in deep ruts it can do its ploughing thing.

If I was going on a big off-roading trip or something where I didn't need the towbar then I could just remove the drop plate and stays, it's only half a dozen bolts or so and it's off.
Post #575800 6th Nov 2016 12:52pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
gilarion



Member Since: 05 Dec 2013
Location: Wales
Posts: 5109

Wales 2007 Defender 90 Other CSW Trident Green
This is a Dixon Bate slider plate,might give you some idea of low placement.

Click image to enlarge
 For those who like Welsh Mountains and narrow boats have a look at my videos and photos at..

http://www.youtube.com/user/conwy1
Post #575809 6th Nov 2016 1:42pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
alpacaman



Member Since: 07 Mar 2016
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 160

United Kingdom 
Thanks chaps. Retroanaconda, I'm guessing the slider isn't at the lowest point on that photo? Looks like I may as well get the whole kit for £100 rather than mess around trying to fit the plate on to what I've already got.
Post #575818 6th Nov 2016 2:47pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
gilarion



Member Since: 05 Dec 2013
Location: Wales
Posts: 5109

Wales 2007 Defender 90 Other CSW Trident Green
Buy the whole kit Thumbs Up

Because if you try and just bolt the slider to the cross member without the strengthening struts/arms that bolt to the chassis you will risk buckling the rear cross member if you tow anything slightly heavy . For those who like Welsh Mountains and narrow boats have a look at my videos and photos at..

http://www.youtube.com/user/conwy1
Post #575821 6th Nov 2016 2:52pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Retroanaconda



Member Since: 04 Jan 2012
Location: Scotland
Posts: 2637

Scotland 
It's a hole or two up from the bottom as that suits my trailer needs.

Definitely get the whole kit.
Post #575879 6th Nov 2016 5:56pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Happyoldgit



Member Since: 14 Sep 2007
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 3471

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Corris Grey
I have a used kit for a 110 sitting in my garage. Steve.
Owned numerous Land Rover vehicles of all shapes and sizes over the decades.
Current Defender: A non tarts hand-bagged Puma 110 XS USW.

[Insert something impressive here such as extensive list of previous Land Rovers or examples of your prestigeous and expensive items, trinkets, houses, bikes, vehicles etc]

http://forums.lr4x4.com

I used to be Miserable ...but now I'm ecstatic.
Post #576191 8th Nov 2016 9:23am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
alpacaman



Member Since: 07 Mar 2016
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 160

United Kingdom 
Boo hoo. And you're in Norfolk too. I'm assuming a 110 version won't fit my 90?
Post #576192 8th Nov 2016 9:27am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Post Reply
Post Reply  Back to top
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



Site Copyright © 2006-2024 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
DEFENDER2.NET RSS Feed - All Forums