Defender - lowering tow ball

[jeremyc]

Hello everyone - proud new-to-the-marque Defender owner here.

I need to lower the tow ball on my Td5 Defender 90 XS by about 4" to make sure my car trailer remains level.

What are my options?

I have the NA spec rear step fitted as shown below.

[cptsideways]

A drop plate is ideal especially if its for use with a smaller trailer

[jeremyc]

cptsideways said:

A drop plate is ideal especially if its for use with a smaller trailer

Any particular type and method of fitting I should be looking at? There are a range of alternatives, none of which indicate limitations of use nor recommended fitting.

I'm looking to tow my car trailer with Caterham on board - probably less than 700Kg weight in total.

ETA: Here's an example that claims to provide the 4" drop I'm looking for.


Do I simply bolt the plate to the lower mounting holes on my rear bar and attach the tow ball to the bottom holes on the plate?

Is that safe & legal, or is additional bracing required behind the drop plate?

Edited by jeremyc on Thursday 3rd May 07:00

[touching cloth]

Can't help with towball height JC but congrats on the purchase, no stable complete without one

[cptsideways]

jeremyc said:

cptsideways said:

A drop plate is ideal especially if its for use with a smaller trailer

Any particular type and method of fitting I should be looking at? There are a range of alternatives, none of which indicate limitations of use nor recommended fitting.

I'm looking to tow my car trailer with Caterham on board - probably less than 700Kg weight in total.

ETA: Here's an example that claims to provide the 4" drop I'm looking for.


Do I simply bolt the plate to the lower mounting holes on my rear bar and attach the tow ball to the bottom holes on the plate?

Is that safe & legal, or is additional bracing required behind the drop plate?

Edited by jeremyc on Thursday 3rd May 07:00

That is what I used, needs to be at least 10mm plate about £30 on ebay. Alternative is the adjustable type which are about £200

[abbotsmike]

Can't offer advice on the tow ball, the only defender I know doesn't have that rear step, so has the 'official' drop bar I believe.

However, fantastic car, looks to be pretty much the exact spec I'd be looking for!

[heightswitch]

Your solution will be found on Dixon Bates website.

[macar]

I had the same problem, put 14" wheels on the trailer.

[jeremyc]

macar said:

I had the same problem, put 14" wheels on the trailer.

I like your thinking.

Thanks for all your suggestions.

In the end I went for the fixed plate, with the assurance from my local tow bar fitting emporium that "it'll never come off".

heightswitch said:

Your solution will be found on Dixon Bates website.

They do indeed have adjustable drop plates that might do the trick (it's difficult to see the range of drop they offer from the site).

However, I think it might be overkill since I have no need to have the tow ball at anything other than this one height.

Edited by jeremyc on Thursday 3rd May 14:59

[budrover]

Bolt a dixon bates adjustable to it on the 4 bolt holes.

http://www.dixonbate.co.uk/towing/adjustable_coupl...

[jeremyc]

budrover said:

Bolt a dixon bates adjustable to it on the 4 bolt holes.

http://www.dixonbate.co.uk/towing/adjustable_coupl...

Any idea what range of adjustment they provide i.e. how much lower a tow ball bolted to the drop plate would be compared to one in the lower two holes in the fixed rear bumper?

[lost in espace]

Drop plates are illegal on a post 1997 vehicle I am afraid, unless type approved. If you use it you could be at risk of your insurance not paying out or trying to recover losses from you.

Check with the manufacturer of the tow bar if they sell a type approved drop plate.

http://www.towitall.co.uk/law/towbars/type-approva...

[heightswitch]

I don't know what the last poster was trying to get at but..ALL Towbars must be type approved for vehicles manufactured after 1997??

All Dixon bate Towbars meet full type approval...as do most manufacturers Towbars!!

Dixon bate have also been OEM fitment to many landrovers for many many years.

If you tow with a defender you will repidly come to realise that the flexibility of proper towing equipment and a proper adjustable hitch is a must

This is mine..They come in 2 sizes. This is the largest one which allows you to pull low car trailers to 4 x 4 articulated trailers for off roading, If you do serious off roading you may find you occasionally do a bit of ploughing if you exit from a high departure angle, even mine doesnt do that too much


Freshly painted


With the hitch at its lowest position.





This is the shorter version which you may prefer.

Another option for you is to use a purpose made spacer between the hitch and a-frame on your actual trailer..Again these are also readily available to allow accurate levelling and adjustments to nose weight and angle.

Personally I wouldn't buy anything other than Dixon Bate for a Landy.. Thousands of farmers are rarely wrong??

N.