DEFENDER2.NET - View topic - Fixing Dixon and Bate adjustable tow bar to rear step

↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home · FAQ · New Posts · My Posts · PMs · Search · Members · Map · Calendar · Profile · Donate · Register · Log In

Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Fixing Dixon and Bate adjustable tow bar to rear step

Page 1 of 1

Print this entire topic ·

MudHugger

Member Since: 17 Jan 2016
Location: Essex
Posts: 28

2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 Landmark LE Santorini Black

Fixing Dixon and Bate adjustable tow bar to rear step

Hi
A bit of advice here please.
I have a Landrover rear step fitted to my 90.
I’ve bought a Dixon bate adjustable hitch on eBay to fit on it.
It came with 4 fixing bolts, however only one set of 2 holes line up. Each set
of two holes are 45mm vertically apart and the holes on my step are 55mm apart.
Do I
1) fix it with just two bolts? I’m guessing this won’t be secure enough?
2) drill additional two holes, so I can fix it with 4 bolts
3) return it

Thanks

11th Apr 2018 8:00am

jrule

Member Since: 10 Aug 2015
Location: Hertfordshire
Posts: 302

I think your best bet is to return as modifying to fit will not meet the relevant approvals and could compromise your insurance. There are swan neck type tow balls people on here have fitted to lower the height. If you want adjustable it’s probably best to remove the step and fit a Land Rover Dixon bate kit which is tested and type approved for this scenario

11th Apr 2018 8:25am

VVS210

Member Since: 12 Nov 2016
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 953

My Dixon Bate adjustable set up has 6 fixings - the top 2 bolts go into the cross member; the next pair down bolt to an angle bracket that is bolted to the underside of the cross member; and, the bottom pair bolt to a plate that has the two rear brace bars bolted back to the chassis. I don't think the NAS rear step will accept this type of fitting.

Last edited by VVS210 on 11th Apr 2018 12:41pm. Edited 1 time in total

11th Apr 2018 11:46am

gilarion

Member Since: 05 Dec 2013
Location: Wales
Posts: 5110

2007 Defender 90 Other CSW Trident Green

Sorry, but what you wish to achieve with an adjustable drop plate on your rear step cannot be done. As others have said either remove the step and fit the Dixon Bate set up. Or keep the step. Sadly you cannot have both fitted. For those who like Welsh Mountains and narrow boats have a look at my videos and photos at..

http://www.youtube.com/user/conwy1

11th Apr 2018 12:13pm

apt100

Member Since: 05 Mar 2015
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 1547

2016 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Aintree Green

Re: Fixing Dixon and Bate adjustable tow bar to rear step

MudHugger wrote:
Hi
A bit of advice here please.
I have a Landrover rear step fitted to my 90.
I’ve bought a Dixon bate adjustable hitch on eBay to fit on it.
It came with 4 fixing bolts, however only one set of 2 holes line up. Each set
of two holes are 45mm vertically apart and the holes on my step are 55mm apart.
Do I
1) fix it with just two bolts? I’m guessing this won’t be secure enough?
2) drill additional two holes, so I can fix it with 4 bolts
3) return it

Thanks

*If* I've understood your question correctly, I think you need the 150mm adjustable that has slots instead of just round holes?
https://dixon-bate.co.uk/products/gb/heigh...coup-.html

There are one or two threads on here with photos etc of people having that setup with the NAS step.

11th Apr 2018 2:01pm

VVS210

Member Since: 12 Nov 2016
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 953

That model still requires the braces back to the chassis, if these are not fitted then any load on the tow ball will create a twisting moment into the NAS step - which is good!

11th Apr 2018 7:45pm

DAZ110

Member Since: 06 Dec 2007
Location: East Sussex
Posts: 2039

2013 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Barolo Black

Have alook here:

http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic12818.html

Look at my 9th post down, I fitted this back plate to my tow step.

Last edited by DAZ110 on 11th Apr 2018 9:13pm. Edited 1 time in total

11th Apr 2018 8:33pm

DAZ110

Member Since: 06 Dec 2007
Location: East Sussex
Posts: 2039

Or could try this tow step:

http://www.ppcages.com/?page_id=243

Or this tow step and get a drop plate:

http://www.extreme4x4.co.uk/Store/Protecti...per-step-1

11th Apr 2018 8:48pm

DAZ110

Member Since: 06 Dec 2007
Location: East Sussex
Posts: 2039

Think this is the back plate you need to bolt to your tow step:

https://dixon-bate.co.uk/products/gb/shock...coup-.html

Bare in mind that if you do any green laneing the back plate will hang down quite away and may catch on the ground. You can mount it upside down so it doesn’t hang down as far, but then it sticks up above the step which might be a problem.

11th Apr 2018 9:02pm

MudHugger

Member Since: 17 Jan 2016
Location: Essex
Posts: 28

Thanks for all the advice guys. Really useful.

I have the 100mm version as I didn’t want to drop to be too low in case I go off roading.
So it seems the 150mm version will fit.

Does anyone know how much lower it will be. I’m presuming that the 150mm will be 50mm lower?

Thanks

11th Apr 2018 10:31pm

Page 1 of 1

All times are GMT

Jump to

< Previous Topic | Next Topic >

Posting Rules

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum