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rossy



Member Since: 29 Nov 2010
Location: Co. Roscommon
Posts: 1296
Ireland 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Stornoway Grey
Towball question for caravanners
hi,
like most caravans nowadays ours has an Alko stabiliser which requires an extended neck towball.

I have heard that it can be tricky to hitch up to the Puma because of the spare wheel getting in the way of the stabiliser handle. Some people open the back door when hitching up but then have to remove the jockey wheel in order to close it again or so I've heard.

There are towball spacers available in sizes ranging from 1/2" to 1.5" at sites such as Autow.com with the corresponding extended bolts. Would using one of these help to give enough clearance ? Or how else do you hitch up easily.I'd appreciate any advice
Post #73546 31st May 2011 5:40am
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Barry



Member Since: 26 Apr 2011
Location: North East
Posts: 137
United Kingdom 
Hi Rossy,

Only done this once so far but this is how i did it

Reverse onto the hitch with the Alko handle down , once in place open the rear door enough to lift alko handle and then hitch as normal. Close rear door.

I will be off again this weekend but I don't expect any problems .

Cheers 2011 Defender XS 110 Station Wagon - Rejected
2008 Discovery 3 XS Auto (Gone)
1997 Discovery ES Auto 300TDI (Traded in on a flat bed)
Post #73556 31st May 2011 8:11am
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rossy



Member Since: 29 Nov 2010
Location: Co. Roscommon
Posts: 1296
Ireland 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Stornoway Grey
hey that sounds easy. Thanks Barry and enjoy the weekend Very Happy
Post #73622 31st May 2011 6:30pm
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damon62



Member Since: 07 May 2011
Location: north west
Posts: 6
England 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
hello all
have just bought a 90 puma and am trying to buy a fleetwood twin axle caravan can anyone tell me if my car is capable of towing this size of van

thanks
Post #75709 13th Jun 2011 9:09pm
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Barry



Member Since: 26 Apr 2011
Location: North East
Posts: 137
United Kingdom 
Hi

I asked the same question all be it a 110 , hope this links works for you and is useful

http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic6480.h...fender+tow

Cheers 2011 Defender XS 110 Station Wagon - Rejected
2008 Discovery 3 XS Auto (Gone)
1997 Discovery ES Auto 300TDI (Traded in on a flat bed)
Post #75715 13th Jun 2011 9:30pm
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damon62



Member Since: 07 May 2011
Location: north west
Posts: 6
England 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
Hi Barry
Thanks for this my 90 is a bit lighter than your 110 but i think it will be fine had a remap from Pete at bell autos plus intercooler and new exhaust power is up dramatically so am not worried about that bit just the weight
issue.
anyway
cheers
damon
Post #75717 13th Jun 2011 9:42pm
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amondeggs



Member Since: 06 Mar 2011
Location: Telford
Posts: 452
United Kingdom 1999 Defender 90 Td5 HT Woodcote Green
HI I had the same problem of clearing the spare wheel until I bought one of these

http://shop.al-ko.co.uk/products/4x4-retro...andle.html

You can get them pretty cheap on certain online auction sites.

You use the removable handle to engage and disengage the stabiliser and remove it when towing,

hope this helps Thumbs Up
Post #75726 13th Jun 2011 10:10pm
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mse



Member Since: 06 Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 5045
United Kingdom 2016 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Scotia Grey
damon62 wrote:
hello all
have just bought a 90 puma and am trying to buy a fleetwood twin axle caravan can anyone tell me if my car is capable of towing this size of van

thanks


There is no towing difference between a 90, 110 and 130 or a RRS, FFRR, Disco - all can tow 3.5t (and tow them well)

Land Rover are the best towing machines and you will have no issues - except it does look funny,

Funnier still as a Censored on my makes trailer that if his 110 was on the trailer it couldnt have towed it but the land rovers can Mike
Post #75814 14th Jun 2011 4:50pm
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Lorryman100



Member Since: 01 Oct 2010
Location: Here
Posts: 2686
damon62 wrote:
hello all
have just bought a 90 puma and am trying to buy a fleetwood twin axle caravan can anyone tell me if my car is capable of towing this size of van

thanks


Yes, without even breaking sweat Whistle


Click image to enlarge
Post #75820 14th Jun 2011 5:22pm
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rossy



Member Since: 29 Nov 2010
Location: Co. Roscommon
Posts: 1296
Ireland 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Stornoway Grey
amondeggs wrote:
HI I had the same problem of clearing the spare wheel until I bought one of these

http://shop.al-ko.co.uk/products/4x4-retro...andle.html

You can get them pretty cheap on certain online auction sites.

You use the removable handle to engage and disengage the stabiliser and remove it when towing,

hope this helps Thumbs Up


thanks amondeggs. I presume the standard red plastic Alko handle comes off and stays off for good with this handy little gadget
Post #75903 14th Jun 2011 9:41pm
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amondeggs



Member Since: 06 Mar 2011
Location: Telford
Posts: 452
United Kingdom 1999 Defender 90 Td5 HT Woodcote Green
Yes when you buy the removable handle it comes with the tool to remove the existing handle. Once you have removed it then you snap the removable one only when you either apply for disengage the stabiliser. Works well for me on a 90 td5. Thumbs Up
Post #76101 15th Jun 2011 7:57pm
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damon62



Member Since: 07 May 2011
Location: north west
Posts: 6
England 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
Hi All
One other thing what is the ideal tow bar height before hitching up caravan mine seems quite high at the minute.

Cheers
Damon
Post #76269 16th Jun 2011 4:25pm
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Barry



Member Since: 26 Apr 2011
Location: North East
Posts: 137
United Kingdom 
If it is a twin Axle then it needs to be level otherwise I understand it can cause problems with tyre overhearing , blowouts etc... not to mention the extra W&T , as one axle or the other takes the load.

Also , nose weight should be right.

Cheers 2011 Defender XS 110 Station Wagon - Rejected
2008 Discovery 3 XS Auto (Gone)
1997 Discovery ES Auto 300TDI (Traded in on a flat bed)
Post #76273 16th Jun 2011 4:39pm
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Lorryman100



Member Since: 01 Oct 2010
Location: Here
Posts: 2686
With an OEM tow pack I use the bottom mounting holes for the alko towball, this allows a level tow with my twin axle Thumbs Up I am about to change this setup though by fitting a dixon bate alko jaw and pin hitch to give me a safe recovery option on the rear of the landy.


Click image to enlarge
Post #76344 16th Jun 2011 10:58pm
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