 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > NAS spec rear step bumper and NATO hitch |
 
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17598   
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If there is a flaw with the design shown above, it is that there will be significant stress concentration along a horizontal line across the plate an inch or so above the top two mounting bolts. I would keep a very close eye on this area in use to monitor for fatigue cracking which would, of course, have catastophic results (I am not saying that it will crack, but there is a significant risk of failure in this area).
A significantly better solution would be to weld two rear facing flanges along the vertical edges of the plate. They wouldn't need to be deep, an inch would do, but they would massively improve the rigiditiy and strength of the adaptor. There is no reason why these shouldn't be added to the plate. The original and genuine drop plates were all designed this way and for a good reason. See here for a picture showing the sort of thing I mean. |
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10th Feb 2016 11:18am |
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| X4SKP Member Since: 29 Nov 2013 Location: Berkshire Posts: 2297 
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The height of the NATO Hitch will obviously be set by your Trailer (Towing Requirements)
Mine worked out OK with the NAS Rear Step transmitting the resulting forces 'in-line', 525mm to the centre of the Hitch. The lower ALKO 50mm Tow Ball did need custom metalwork to brace the Dixon Bate Drop Plate back to the Chassis, this sets up a standard 350mm Ball centre height. This shows a 200mm adjustable Dixon Bate Drop Plate with X2 Sliders fitted to a NAS Step both the NATO and ALKO 'Towing Sliders' can be fitted at the same time if required.  Click image to enlarge SKIP https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html |
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10th Feb 2016 12:53pm |
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