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nihwrd

Member Since: 12 Apr 2012
Location: Somerset
Posts: 28

Defender plus Sankey trailer - how to mount NATO hitch

i'm sure this must have been covered elsewhere, but having searched I'm still a little confused.

I have a 08 90Tdci (love it), fitted with a LR Adjustable Tow Bar (LR007221?), which looks like a short Dixon Bate tow bar. Having decided I'd like (need) a trailer, it seems to me that a Sankey ex-MoD one looks a good buy, but I can't quite work out the best way to mount the NATO hitch.

It could go on the rear cross member, but some think it would need a spreader plate which appears to be compex to fit (need to drop fuel tank?). Besides, it looks to be awkward for the door, and I won't be towing every day

I'd prefer to mount it on a spare slider for the Adjustable Tow Bar, but can't work out if a standard LR slider would do it (will the NATO hitch fit, will the hitch be too low for the trailer) or do I need to replace the LR tow bar with a DB one?

Any advice gratefully received (including alternative trailers of similar qualities)

Nick

9th Jan 2013 8:27pm

Glynparry25

Member Since: 16 Feb 2009
Location: Miserable Midlands
Posts: 3015

2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS DCPU Tonga Green

In short........ It will be too low.

I believe a few people have got 2 Dixon bate adaptors, one with 50mm ball and the other with a NATO hitch- just change around for what is needed.

Other option would be to lower the A bar on the trailer.

I have got a seperate plate that bolts to my NAS rear step (brings it up to cross member height).

Glyn

9th Jan 2013 8:43pm

JSG

Member Since: 12 Jul 2007
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 2412

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey

Mine is on a spare slider. I have a LR Dixon Bate adjustable tow bar and with the slider fitted up high it was fine with my old narrow track Sankey.

I found that the previously fitted NAS type step was a bit low. John

http://www.hampshire4x4response.co.uk

2011 Tdci 110 CSW XS

9th Jan 2013 8:54pm

me@td5.org

Member Since: 16 Jan 2011
Location: Warwick
Posts: 856

The spreader plate goes between the cross member and the hitch. Side loading the hitch buckling the cross member is the issue.

Instead of a spreader plate I have a reciever hitch which would normally use all 6 holes on the cross member to mount it. My hitch is therefore mounted at the proper height but also braced to the chassis. Plus the added befit of being able to tow normal trailer and increase the departure angle.

9th Jan 2013 8:56pm

VeeTee

Member Since: 06 Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 1512

JSG wrote:
Mine is on a spare slider. I have a LR Dixon Bate adjustable tow bar and with the slider fitted up high it was fine with my old narrow track Sankey.

I found that the previously fitted NAS type step was a bit low.

Hey, that's a nice lid on your trailer

Click image to enlarge

I changed the Nato hitch to a towing ball configuration, the legal status and insurance of the Nato hitch and eye are debatable here in the Netherlands. I lowered the A frame on the trailer for the correct height. Also made it a bit longer, this is easier for reversing. Cheers, Vincent
1959 Polynorm 1/4 Ton Trailer, Olive Drab Green (sold)
1970 M416 Military Trailer (Camping Trailer Conversion), Epsom Green (sold)
1975 Series III 88 V6, Light Green (sadly sold)
1996 Defender 110 CSW 300 Tdi, Epsom Green (sold)
2000 Freelander 1 TD4 3-drs, Silver (sold)
2006 Freelander 1 TD4 5-drs Facelift Automatic, Tonga Green (sold)

MySite

9th Jan 2013 9:28pm

LandRoverAnorak

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

This solution works for me - Dixon Bate adjustable tow bar with NATO hitch bolted to a standard slider:

Click image to enlarge

At this height the trailer is nice and level:

Click image to enlarge 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

9th Jan 2013 9:41pm

blackwolf

Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17530

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey

I use the same set-up as Darren, it works perfectly.

I have a NATO pintle on one slider, a DB combined 25mm pin/50mm ball 3.5 ton coupling on another, DB 32mm pin 5-ton (four bolt) coupling on a third, covers all my towing requirements and the sliders are interchangeable between the Disco2 and the Defender.

The latest coupling I bought to try out is a Bradley/DB Autojaw, which works pretty well provided that you align the thing perfectly when reversing into the trailer (easy with 2 people but not so easy on your own, which kind of defeats the whole point)!

10th Jan 2013 9:45am

Laurie

Member Since: 22 Feb 2008
Location: Sussex, England
Posts: 2897

2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Bonatti Grey

Same here. My Viking MkIII sits level on the top hole.

10th Jan 2013 1:09pm

nihwrd

Member Since: 12 Apr 2012
Location: Somerset
Posts: 28

All

thanks for useful advice and PMs. I think I've spotted where my problem lies (but can't work out how to post photos). The LR Accessories web site shows p/n LR007221 (the adjustable tow bar for a 90) with a longer slider support than mine has fitted.

A quick visit to Yeovil Land Rover to see what's what is in order I think.

If I can get a longer slider support, I'm pretty sure I'll go for the second slider/NATO hitch option, so if anyone has one they don't want anymore, please PM me.

Nick

10th Jan 2013 1:19pm

JWL

Member Since: 26 Oct 2011
Location: Hereford
Posts: 3443

I have a slider unit that is shorter where it meets the cross member. I know why mine is short, it's because it was a Discovery part not a Defender part, I'll change mine when I come across one........one day.

10th Jan 2013 2:52pm

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