 | Home > Puma (Tdci) > Nato Hitch attachment |
 
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| pilsburypie Member Since: 19 Jul 2021 Location: Birmingham Posts: 176   
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An excellent job there. I have a basic low powered mig welder that would struggle with 10mm steel. But in all reality it doesn’t need to be strong. More of a spacer/spreader for the nato hitch. The bolts do the holding I’m guessing. And how do you find the spare wheel with regards to the hitch? Have to open the rear door to connect?
That military socket…. 12v or 24? 12pin for the original trailer? Why not just convert to the regular 7 pin? |
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21st Dec 2021 7:44pm |
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| Vitesse Member Since: 21 Mar 2014 Location: Sussex Posts: 392 
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In answer to pilsburypie.... I had to have it arc welded and the the holes drilled as the joint went half way through the two lower holes. I felt it was best to have it al one piece. It may not have to be I guess?
The spare wheel sits just above the hitch and I have to open the door to hitch up. My trick is to reverse at an angle (where possible) and the door can be opened enough to clear the jockey wheel handle for easy hitching. Otherwise its a bit fiddly but not impossible. I added the Nato socket as I wanted to use the original type connection but the trailer runs on 12v bulbs. I also have a 12volt feed to the supply plug that is fitted on the Penman. I could easily have used a 7 pin adapter aswell but my work and interests are in electrics and electronics and I like adding projects to the car.  2015 90 XS Santorini Black |
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21st Dec 2021 11:29pm |
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| camelman Member Since: 27 Feb 2013 Location: Peak District Posts: 3396
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I swapped the standard spare wheel carrier for one of these: https://foundry4x4.co.uk/index.php?route=p...pare+wheel
Its lifts the wheel up 3 inches so you can still use the hitch. Even with a 35inch wheel on the back door I can just about open the hitch if it is attached directly to the cross member. The Penman sits dead flat on my 110 but that's about 4-5 inches higher than standard with the lift and tyres :  Click image to enlarge Now that I've got the 2 inch receiver fitted, the trailer will sit slightly nose down, like it it does on a non lifted defender. Click image to enlarge Shot showing the clearance from the rear with the raised wheel carrier. Click image to enlarge Last edited by camelman on 22nd Dec 2021 12:08am. Edited 2 times in total |
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21st Dec 2021 11:42pm |
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| pilsburypie Member Since: 19 Jul 2021 Location: Birmingham Posts: 176
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Thanks for your extensive replies. You are not helping one bit when it comes to me spending cash! First thing first is a double din conversion. Then I think a penman with nato hitch will make my life complete…. Until I spot something else on here I can’t possibly live without!
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21st Dec 2021 11:48pm |
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| Vitesse Member Since: 21 Mar 2014 Location: Sussex Posts: 392
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Hi Camelman...
Lovely vehicle and looking good. I like the wheel carrier but its not for me as the visibility must be reduced slightly out the back??. I can see that the solution is good though. Nice trailer!
Pilsburypie.... good luck with the double din. I went for the Pioneer slide out screen option which has served me well.. AVHZ7000DAB i think its called. 2015 90 XS Santorini Black |
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22nd Dec 2021 10:22am |
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| pilsburypie Member Since: 19 Jul 2021 Location: Birmingham Posts: 176
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I too have considered that pioneer slide out screen. Less faff to install, but just like the big screen look.
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22nd Dec 2021 11:26am |
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| Harry.O Member Since: 25 Jul 2014 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 723 
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Whilst you are right in it being more of a spacer than a reinforcing plate if you wanted a belt and braces approach, you could weld the 2 pieces from both sides to make the join as strong as possible. With regards to clearances and the spare tyre, I have slightly larger tyres (285 75 r16) and a Britpart swing-away wheel carrier with the Nato hitch in the usual location on the crossmember. To close the rear door, the Nato hitch must be rotated upside down or it fouls the spare wheel and to use the trailer, I have to remove the spare completely which is a pain. At some point the wheel carrier will get modified to hold the spare higher up but something to consider if you are not using standard tyres. 2005 Td5 110 Hardtop
1989 300Tdi 90 Soft top 1992 200Tdi 90 Truck cab with Land Cruiser axles |
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22nd Dec 2021 2:51pm |
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| pilsburypie Member Since: 19 Jul 2021 Location: Birmingham Posts: 176
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Good to know about your larger tyres/wheels. Mine are the standard 235/85 r16. I believe these are tight but opening and closing the door is fine. Just hitch up is a faff with door
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22nd Dec 2021 4:38pm |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17728 
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Don't fall into the trap of thinking it is just a spacer, it is a spreader plate and you are extremely likely to bend the crossmember if you tow a heavy trailer, or a moderate trailer off-road on the pintle without it. It is known for the pintle to detach from the vehicle complete with a chunk of crossmember. If however all you do is tow a lightly-loaded Penman-type trailer on the road you probably could get away without one. |
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22nd Dec 2021 5:11pm |
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