Fitting an American tow hitch attachment to uk tow ball

[sealtt]

Hello,

I have found a nice bed extender but it is designed for American 2” receiver hitch type set ups. Of course we do not have this in Uk.

Has any one got around this with an adaptor of some sort?

[Krikkit]

Why not have one made so it'll bolt up to replace the tow ball? Wouldn't be a hard project for someone who can weld properly.

[sealtt]

Thanks Krikkit, searched for a company to do it and then found a fabricator who has them off the shelf.

https://www.watling-towbars.co.uk/import_vehicle_t...

Got the US hitch receiver and my regular tow ball now.






Going to be a very useful feature.

[Krikkit]

Nice, not bad for 60-odd quid

[Miserablegit]

Looks useful but I’d be concerned about it grounding out uphill and it looks as though it’s going to cover your number plate with a load on it. Might be an idea to test it somewhere not too busy!

[sealtt]

Good points .. so tested it out on my steep driveway and the height is fine, can always flip around the hitch plate upside down and use it without tow ball for more clearance if needed.

Whole setup works very well, under 5mins from everything stored in my garage to ready to drive off, and the same to put it away. Will add a number plate to base of T-Bar just to be safe, and find a good long load flag for end of kayak.

[h0b0]

Would it not be easier to stick the kayak on the roof and free up the bed for other stuff?

[sealtt]

Yes that’s what most people do and I did use the roof rack last year but I found it an absolute pain. In the end I stopped going out as couldn’t be bothered to mount the roof bars and holders, lift the lump up onto the roof, secure the kayak properly, etc. Took me best part of half an hour to load it up securely and same to disassemble at end.

I only live about a mile from the launch point into the sea and just like going out on my own for an hour or so once or twice a week during lunch break or after work to relax and clear my head. Once you start talking an hour to load and unload kit it’s just not worth it. This bed extender is super fast and fully removable in a minute flat. Great for lugging kids surf boards , paddle boards etc down too. Can’t wait for this weather to change to give it a proper go!

[Grebby]

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/overhan...

How far does it overhang?

[The Moose]

The hitch receiver system is such a great concept.

[sealtt]

Grebby said:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/overhan...

How far does it overhang?

Good point thanks, I did already see that and measured up - 2.9m total overhang so ordered the sign they specify... just got to figure out how to attach it securely with a quick release to end of kayak.

[sealtt]

The Moose said:

The hitch receiver system is such a great concept.

Yes it seems brilliant, so many bolt on options for it, really good for all sorts of loads for hobbies, sports, camping, etc

[XRMike]

Sorry OP but having your kayak sticking out that far is just asking for trouble?

I respect you have done your homework however IMO it's very risky and particularly relying on other road users to pay attention (including pedestrians and cyclists).

[ChemicalChaos]

Right, just one caveat I'm afraid.
It looks interesting but I'll say it here and now... The vast majority of North American import or aftermarket receiver style hitches are NOT EU type approved (with the exception of a handful specifically designed and made by UK companies such as Witter). The upshot of this that if you are in an accident with one, the insurance company will likely try to wriggle out of a claim.
It's a shame really as its a much better concept than a normal fixed flange towbar, but for some reason they have never really caught in over here

[Carbon Sasquatch]

Not type approved for towing a trailer.

Not sure about OP and his kayak though - would that require type approval too ?

[sealtt]

Appreciate those concerns, honestly once the sign is secured onto the end of the kayak I don’t think anyone will miss it, it’s a big warning sign! See this photo for reference, though my idea is to mount it securely through the hole in the nose of the kayak with a quick release pin, so it will be up a bit higher and fixed rigid.

I live next to the sea anyway so I’ll only be driving around 1 mile to the regular launch spot, furthest is 4 miles. But it’s important to me to make sure it’s legal and safe so appreciate the comments.

[sealtt]

Carbon Sasquatch said:

Not type approved for towing a trailer.

Not sure about OP and his kayak though - would that require type approval too ?

That is correct, it would not be legal to tow with my US hitch, but it is legal to use for mounting my support arm. I checked that before ordering the kit.

[sealtt]

So used some offcuts of wood to create a little bracket that secures using a clevis pin through a rope hole on nose of kayak to hold the warning sign at a good height - it looks lower due to gradient of drive. It is driver height for regular hatchback and saloon cars behind me, and the number plate is bolted on above.

So based on the laws this set up should now be fully compliant, with the necessary warning sign and numberplate fully visible, it is very secure on the back too, with 3 straps.



And as kayaking is now allowed again I was sure to go and give it a whirl yesterday to get out on the water at a new spot.

Edited by sealtt on Friday 15th May 11:01

[normalbloke]

Put something on the bottom of the fixed sign that moves in the breeze, so the ‘ooman eye can judge depth a little better. You see those little hang down flags on tail lifts?

[anonymous-user]

sealtt said:

So based on the laws this set up should now be fully compliant, with the necessary warning sign and numberplate fully visible....

The problem you've got is that you've extended the vehicle and then put a long load on the extended vehicle. Your extended vehicle doesn't comply with the lighting requirements at the back.

Put simply, indicators and brake lights need to be at the rear of the vehicle, not half way along it.