Mud-club
Chat & Social => The Bar - General Chat => Topic started by: scooby on May 16, 2005, 11:40:47
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I now some off you where talking about this sometime back on tow bars. I'am looking for a tow bar that i can remove for off roading and replce when i need to use the caravan. But i need to use a drop plate to get the caravan to sit level at the back of the defender so if anyone knows where to buy one like this could you let me know. Getting fed up on undowing the bolts on the tow bar now just need to do it simple way off removeing and replacing it. 8)
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Southdown make a very good version that incorporates a fuel tank guard, a few on here have them.
Pricey though
Photos here (http://www.southdown4x4.co.uk/DetachableTowing.htm)
Scorpion supply a cheaper version - no tank-guard
This is (or was?) manufactured by W&H Wheelcarriers in Bradford.
I had the W&H version on my 90, but sold it to Tim ('MuddyWeb')
Link (http://www.scorpionracing.co.uk/) Click on 'Products', then 'Recovery/Towing'
Andy has a Scorpion (http://community.webshots.com/album/150792275UfHGqm)
Alternatively, why not simply get a Dixon-Bate?, I know it's not removeable in the same sense, but due to its construction it won't act as a plough
When the saddle is removed it's essentially an empty space (http://www.dixonbate.co.uk/html/adjustable.html).
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I've got a Southdown and they are cuurently making me a drop plate to my specifiication so I don't have to bolt on any drop plates even though the car is lifted.
With it removed you have a tank guard (cristened that quickly enough) and can clip on a recovery eye/jacking point to boot. Picture in my galery when I have more time folks.
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I'd been trying to sort this out for a while, and have now finally got round to doing the first bit of the conversion...
I've got a Dixon Bate drop plate (came with the vehicle), and have simply bolted a new slider to the rear crossmember instead of the drop plate. The drop plate then fixes to the slider in reverse, with the pin used previously. The tow bar is simply bolted to the drop plate. The tie bars from the bottom of the drop plate to the chassis are going to get re-mounted with a quick release device as soon as I get round to it.
I'll try to take some photo's if you're interested. It worked out the cheapest way for me to do it - just needs a bit of work to finish it for heavyweight towing. I'd probably go to a tonne or so with the current arrangement, but with the tie bars on there's no reason why it shouldn't go to the full 3.5 tonnes.
Cheers
Ben
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I'd been trying to sort this out for a while, and have now finally got round to doing the first bit of the conversion...
I've got a Dixon Bate drop plate (came with the vehicle), and have simply bolted a new slider to the rear crossmember instead of the drop plate. The drop plate then fixes to the slider in reverse, with the pin used previously. The tow bar is simply bolted to the drop plate. The tie bars from the bottom of the drop plate to the chassis are going to get re-mounted with a quick release device as soon as I get round to it.
I'll try to take some photo's if you're interested. It worked out the cheapest way for me to do it - just needs a bit of work to finish it for heavyweight towing. I'd probably go to a tonne or so with the current arrangement, but with the tie bars on there's no reason why it shouldn't go to the full 3.5 tonnes.
Cheers
Ben
If you do have some photos i would not mind looking at all, If you could post them. I have found something like i wont from tow sure but not really the job to do wot i wont to do.
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Hi Scooby
Photos can be found here (http://community.webshots.com/user/kentzer). Just go into the Exterior Accessories album.
I've got a couple of changes to make before I'm completely happy with the way it tows - firstly re-attaching the tie bars (had to be removed to turn the "ladder" upside down (and back to front :shock: )). Secondly, I'm going to take the pin and hitch off the second slider and reattach to the "ladder" - should give less fore and aft movement.
I've tested it with very small (half full) camping trailer, and it's great. It tows as well as it did when the slider was the other way up (as designed), and soesn't plough nice furrows when off road :D
Cheers
Ben
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How about this idea of Mike Rogers?
information (http://www.mattishall.org.uk/Removable%20towing%20drop%20plate.htm)
it was in 'LRO years ago when the build-up of his Light-Weight featured.
It's a nice neat way of incorporating a NATO hitch & still towing a 'normal' trailer.
He's a member on here as well; 'Muddy Mike' (http://forums.mud-club.com/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=343), so may be willing to psot photos/give advice on doing the same on your vehicle
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Marc, If you or Ben require a clearer version of the details for the NATO adapted drop-plate, let me know & I'll colour photo-copy the relevant article from 'LRO'
It was in an issue back in 1992