 | Home > Technical > COUPLE OF CARAVAN COMPATIBILITY QUESTIONS |
 
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| LR90XS2011 Member Since: 05 Apr 2011 Location: bickenhill Posts: 3643   
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Have taken a look at other threads on the subject but still a bit unsure.
1/ will a 2013 swift Alco hitch work with a standard LR defender tow hook, or do I need a spacer for the hook, it looks from the internet that the hook is OK but unsure if the spare wheel gets in the way of the handle? 2/ will a 7 pin socket with the 13 pin adaptor be OK to work all the lights on the caravan without other mods, appreciate the battery charger and fridge supply wont work? 3/ is there a kit to easily fit the 13 pin socked to a 11 reg defender? thanks in advance DEFENDER 90 TDCI XS, I hope everyone is well and your land rovers make you happy |
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8th Sep 2019 7:38pm |
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| Iggle piggle Member Since: 10 Sep 2014 Location: Wales Posts: 378 
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If it’s an Alko stabiliser hitch You will need an extended neck towball, search Alko towball
The 13pin adaptor will work all your lights ok but only charge the battery & maintain the fridge if you have the grey socket on your landrover Alko do make a removable handle to make coupling to a 4x4 with spare wheel easier https://www.al-ko.com/shop/uk_vt/products/...andle.html |
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8th Sep 2019 7:53pm |
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| 90 Dreamer Member Since: 13 Jul 2019 Location: Oop North Posts: 2161 
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As previously posted you dont need an Alko towball as a simply spacer does exactly as required
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8th Sep 2019 8:06pm |
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| Iggle piggle Member Since: 10 Sep 2014 Location: Wales Posts: 378
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Alko recommend the use of an extended neck towball to allow for the correct amount of articulation with the hitch head,
Some people think they know better but for the sake of £25-30 I wouldn’t take the chance |
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8th Sep 2019 8:25pm |
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| BenB8man Member Since: 22 Mar 2017 Location: Norfolk Posts: 429 
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In regards to the lights, I’m under the impression that the 7 pin black socket on your defender doesn’t have reverse lights.
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9th Sep 2019 9:15am |
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| foggydave Member Since: 29 Nov 2012 Location: Midlands Posts: 263 
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You do need an Alco tow ball the reason being the red protective shroud on the Also hitch needs extra room to operate without fouling the neck of the tow ball if for instance you go up a step/curb etc.
The standard Alco hitch has a lever both sides to operate friction pads. Alco supply a handle which operates both of these levers at the same time. This handle fouls the spare wheel. The answer is to remove the red plastic handle that operates the levers and push down levers individually. I have use this method for 11 years with no problems. I can supply pictures if required. I wired my 2014 2.2 towbar electrics myself from a standard LR kit The only problem I found was that I could not find a live feed on the Defender for the fridge/battery charge grey plug connection. I too used a 25mm spacer to give more clearance. |
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9th Sep 2019 10:19am |
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| LR90XS2011 Member Since: 05 Apr 2011 Location: bickenhill Posts: 3643
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thanks gents so
1/ I have ordered a 12n to 13 pin adaptor to make the trailer lights work for now 2/ From Alco I have ordedered an Alco tow ball (the existing one appears to meet Alco's requirements but dont want to find out I am wrong when I go to pick it up). 3/ From Alco I have ordered a 4x4 handle for the tow hitch which Alco suggest resolves the 3004 hitch handle/spare wheel issue (time will tell) 4/ I have ordered genuine 12s socket kit and an adaptor for the 2 plugs (as I also have a trailer that is 12n) it appears the hook height should be 430mm +or- 35, my defender 90 is 460 without load so should be OK without a drop plate. not sure I want a drop plate or spacer if I can avoid them. new to the caravan thing so some big learning required. DEFENDER 90 TDCI XS, I hope everyone is well and your land rovers make you happy |
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9th Sep 2019 3:31pm |
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| TJH1985 Member Since: 22 Aug 2016 Location: Midlands Posts: 238
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I have a standard LR towball and purchased a genuine AL-KO one as well, when it arrived I was surprised to find they were both pretty much identical and offered the same level of articulation. I’ve fitted the AL-KO but only because I had purchased it.
On ours you can hitch up with the door ajar and get the clearance needed. Also our 2015 Van won’t power up the light controllers without the battery connection so we have to have the twin 7 pin plugs otherwise we had no trailer lights. There is a 20amp permanent rear feed that presents its self as a purple cable in the wheel arch and behind the rear lights on a TD5 90, you can use this and a VSR from Halfords to cable up everything you need. I have since cut my genuine LR loom and wired it into a 13 pin. |
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9th Sep 2019 6:43pm |
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| LR90XS2011 Member Since: 05 Apr 2011 Location: bickenhill Posts: 3643
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sounds like I have wasted my money on the Alko ball then!!
VSR? Voltage sensing relay? DEFENDER 90 TDCI XS, I hope everyone is well and your land rovers make you happy |
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9th Sep 2019 6:46pm |
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| TJH1985 Member Since: 22 Aug 2016 Location: Midlands Posts: 238
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Yeah basically it takes the 12v feed the Defender has and adds the 12v ignition without any hassle.
Something like: https://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores...reId=10001 |
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9th Sep 2019 6:52pm |
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| foggydave Member Since: 29 Nov 2012 Location: Midlands Posts: 263
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As a suggestion.
When towing I use Towsure Rock Steady towing mirrors. They fit the Defender mirrors perfectly. |
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10th Sep 2019 5:50am |
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| LR90XS2011 Member Since: 05 Apr 2011 Location: bickenhill Posts: 3643
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Gents
thanks loads for the help, great forum this pick it up the weekend after next so got a bit of time to sort the defender tow electrics out it is a 2013 swift conqueror has a few issues but nothing I shouldn't be able to sort, expect the first thing is security and some insurance. DEFENDER 90 TDCI XS, I hope everyone is well and your land rovers make you happy |
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10th Sep 2019 11:42am |
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| LR90XS2011 Member Since: 05 Apr 2011 Location: bickenhill Posts: 3643
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well I did pick it up with no issues, could feel the weight of it bringing it home especially over bumpy bits of road.
tow bar and electrics were fine, I did end up with the ALKO hook and a 20mm spacer which was fine for coupling up with the removable ALKO handle. caravan appears to be all good and everything works AOK so looking forward to my first overnight trip with it. insured it through Aplan which the Def is also insured through DEFENDER 90 TDCI XS, I hope everyone is well and your land rovers make you happy |
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8th Oct 2019 8:38pm |
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| 90 Dreamer Member Since: 13 Jul 2019 Location: Oop North Posts: 2161
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I have found that rear tyres at around 45psi and ensuring the caravan sits 'flat' when hitched makes a marked difference to confidence when towing.......
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8th Oct 2019 8:42pm |
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