 | Home > Puma (Tdci) > Tow ball drop plate. |
 
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| BenB8man Member Since: 22 Mar 2017 Location: Norfolk Posts: 429   
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I'm pretty sure around those years it varied depending on spec etc. Best way to tell would be look at the VED you pay. If it's the lower commercial rate then you're good with a drop plate. If you're paying £500 then you're a passenger vehicle.
That's how I looked at it anyway. Mines £245 a year so I put a drop plate on it.  |
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23rd Aug 2017 3:47pm |
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| zsd-puma Member Since: 09 Aug 2016 Location: Kent Posts: 2720 
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Yes, all USW's, DCPU's, Vans, HCPU's etc are commercial vehicles regardless of age. |
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23rd Aug 2017 4:02pm |
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| Sammyboy Member Since: 28 Feb 2017 Location: Hampshire Posts: 121 
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Thanks guys that's very helpful.....and good to know. Discovery 4 HSE
Defender 2.2 110 USW XS Ford Kuga AWD Discovery 3 Range Rover P38 Discovery - 300 TDI Discovery - 200TDI |
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23rd Aug 2017 4:13pm |
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| miker Member Since: 13 Sep 2015 Location: Surrey Posts: 1763 
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I'll be honest, commercial or not, I wouldn't be comfortable with the flat plate type of drop plate
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23rd Aug 2017 7:50pm |
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| BenB8man Member Since: 22 Mar 2017 Location: Norfolk Posts: 429
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Which type of plate are you referring to? Only ask as I have a Dixon Bate version and am about to take a caravan several hundred miles.
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23rd Aug 2017 7:56pm |
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| miker Member Since: 13 Sep 2015 Location: Surrey Posts: 1763
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The ones you see that are no more than a bit of 10mm plate with a few holes in. Db drop ladders are far nicer!
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23rd Aug 2017 7:59pm |
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| BenB8man Member Since: 22 Mar 2017 Location: Norfolk Posts: 429
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Ah that's a relief! I did think they looked fairly meaty, especially with the supports attached to the chassis.
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23rd Aug 2017 8:12pm |
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| 300TDi CSW Phil Member Since: 03 Apr 2016 Location: Bracknell Posts: 750 
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I'm pretty sure that the Dixon Bate ladder jobbies are rated and type approved.
At least that is what the sticker on mine suggests. 1995 300 Tdi Epsom Green - It's a keeper. Wide Track Sankey- In bits- Gone to a new home M0XQS |
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23rd Aug 2017 8:16pm |
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| leeds Member Since: 28 Dec 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 8582
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Sammyboy, your summary is basically correct.
Cars from 98 deed towing equipment with an approval mark Commercial vehicles do not require an approval mark on their towing equipment. That is the simple thing now throw Land Rover and the Defender models into the equation. Prior 98 all Defenders can use non approval marked towing equipment 1998 to about 2012 only HT/DC Defenders were classed as N1 commercial. However in about 2012 ALL Defenders were classified as N1 commercial so no need for an approval mark on towing equipment. The Dixon Bates towing equipment (Now owned by Al-ko) are approved so can be fitted to any Defender. 2" receivers are NOT approved towing equipment and as such 4x4overlander do not sell them as such. The dropped plate is made from formed/shaped 10mm steel which improves its rigidity. On the back of the plate is a reinforcing rib welded on. Hope that helps Brendan |
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23rd Aug 2017 9:08pm |
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| Sammyboy Member Since: 28 Feb 2017 Location: Hampshire Posts: 121
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Thanks for all your helpful advice. The reason for my original question is that a 110USW I am considering buying has a LR multi height tow bar fitted that 'may' need to have the towball lowered by about 2 inches to achieve a level caravan when towing. Rather than changing to a DB adjustable tow bar I was wondering whether a simple flat drop plate would achieve the required towball height. Discovery 4 HSE
Defender 2.2 110 USW XS Ford Kuga AWD Discovery 3 Range Rover P38 Discovery - 300 TDI Discovery - 200TDI |
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23rd Aug 2017 9:34pm |
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| leeds Member Since: 28 Dec 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 8582
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If towing a caravan with a Defender we would strongly recommend that you get a Dixon Bates shock link.
These days we only tow the caravan with the shock link even if it means stopping the shock link between vehicles. We have destroyed the towing system on a sub 3 year old caravan with less then 5,000 miles on it. Was chatting to local caravan guy and he has had 3 caravans in last 6 months with broken A frame and/or bodywork departing front of chassis. All 3 caravans towed by 4x4 Brendan |
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23rd Aug 2017 9:51pm |
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| Sammyboy Member Since: 28 Feb 2017 Location: Hampshire Posts: 121
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Thanks but thought that was only relevant for old leaf spring Defenders not those with coil springs?? The one I'm considering is a 63 plate 110USW. Discovery 4 HSE
Defender 2.2 110 USW XS Ford Kuga AWD Discovery 3 Range Rover P38 Discovery - 300 TDI Discovery - 200TDI |
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23rd Aug 2017 10:05pm |
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| leeds Member Since: 28 Dec 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 8582
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As a 10 USW you are allowed about 1 tonne payload and your suspension will be stiff enough to cope with that payload.
Unless you have specific caravan recovery insurance your standard car recovery policy does not cover recovery of a broken caravan if the towing vehicle is ok. Caravan dealers are worse then car dealers for warranty work and a broken caravan means flatbed recovery and that costs more then the shocklink.. Have only towed caravans with coil spring Defenders and will only tow our caravan with the shock link now. The shock link is not cheap but less then recovery cost and less then price of a new caravan! Brendan |
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23rd Aug 2017 10:46pm |
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| Sammyboy Member Since: 28 Feb 2017 Location: Hampshire Posts: 121
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Is this problem with all cars with coil springs or just defenders which presumably have a stiffer suspension? Do you sell shock links? Discovery 4 HSE
Defender 2.2 110 USW XS Ford Kuga AWD Discovery 3 Range Rover P38 Discovery - 300 TDI Discovery - 200TDI Last edited by Sammyboy on 24th Aug 2017 6:21am. Edited 1 time in total |
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24th Aug 2017 6:05am |
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