101 Ambi tow hitches

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S

Simon Isaacs

Guest
I need to fit a tow hitch to my ambi to pull a standard trailer (not
nato). I have already collected some sketches of how I intend to
fabricate the hitch plate and connect it to the chassis, but would
appreciate it if any of you have done a similar thing and would be
willing to share your experience and photos with me.
--

Simon Isaacs

Peterborough 4x4 Club Newsletter Editor and Webmaster
Green Lane Association (GLASS) Financial Director
101 Ambi, undergoing camper conversion www.simoni.co.uk
1976 S3 LWT, Fully restored, ready for sale! Make me an offer!
Suzuki SJ410 (Wife's) 3" lift kit fitted, body shell now restored and mounted on chassis, waiting on a windscreen and MOT
Series 3 88" Rolling chassis...what to do next
1993 200 TDi Discovery
1994 200 TDi Discovery body sheel, being bobbed and modded.....
 
Simon Isaacs wrote:
> I need to fit a tow hitch to my ambi to pull a standard trailer (not
> nato). I have already collected some sketches of how I intend to
> fabricate the hitch plate and connect it to the chassis, but would
> appreciate it if any of you have done a similar thing and would be
> willing to share your experience and photos with me.

Lee dunnit. You kept the step ?

Steve
 
On Sat, 21 Jan 2006 20:51:31 +0000 (UTC), Simon Isaacs
<[email protected]> wrote:

>I need to fit a tow hitch to my ambi to pull a standard trailer (not
>nato). I have already collected some sketches of how I intend to
>fabricate the hitch plate and connect it to the chassis, but would
>appreciate it if any of you have done a similar thing and would be
>willing to share your experience and photos with me.

Several options. Laurie Wright has just drilled holes at the right
height, then unbolts the ball when he wants to drop the step.

You can also make an indented part of the rear step so it covers the
ball when the step is down.

Andy had a removable one on the Yin (the one Kay now has - she's
fairly close to you, you could go have a look). Same type that you
get on Mercs and the like - bayonet type clip-in.




--
"We have gone from a world of concentrated knowledge and wisdom to one
of distributed ignorance. And we know and understand less while being
increasingly capable." Prof. Peter Cochrane, formerly of BT Labs
In memory of Brian {Hamilton Kelly} who logged off 15th September 2005
 
On Sat, 21 Jan 2006 21:11:01 +0000, Steve
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Simon Isaacs wrote:
>> I need to fit a tow hitch to my ambi to pull a standard trailer (not
>> nato). I have already collected some sketches of how I intend to
>> fabricate the hitch plate and connect it to the chassis, but would
>> appreciate it if any of you have done a similar thing and would be
>> willing to share your experience and photos with me.
>
>Lee dunnit. You kept the step ?

Yeah, Lee's done it.

He has a nice ambi rear step with a cut out in it so that it can fold
down over the towball.

Piccies on his site at:
http://www.lrproject.com/morph/index.html

 
Tom Woods wrote:
> Yeah, Lee's done it.
>
> He has a nice ambi rear step with a cut out in it so that it can fold
> down over the towball.
>
> Piccies on his site at:
> http://www.lrproject.com/morph/index.html
>

Its a neat job isn't it ? Does an ambi have the right ratings though to
tow, given its kerb weight, compared to a GS ?

Steve
 
On Sat, 21 Jan 2006 21:11:01 +0000, Steve
<[email protected]> scribbled the following nonsense:

>Simon Isaacs wrote:
>> I need to fit a tow hitch to my ambi to pull a standard trailer (not
>> nato). I have already collected some sketches of how I intend to
>> fabricate the hitch plate and connect it to the chassis, but would
>> appreciate it if any of you have done a similar thing and would be
>> willing to share your experience and photos with me.
>
>Lee dunnit. You kept the step ?
>
>Steve

yep, got a spare step as well!
--

Simon Isaacs

Peterborough 4x4 Club Newsletter Editor and Webmaster
Green Lane Association (GLASS) Financial Director
101 Ambi, undergoing camper conversion www.simoni.co.uk
1976 S3 LWT, Fully restored, ready for sale! Make me an offer!
Suzuki SJ410 (Wife's) 3" lift kit fitted, body shell now restored and mounted on chassis, waiting on a windscreen and MOT
Series 3 88" Rolling chassis...what to do next
1993 200 TDi Discovery
1994 200 TDi Discovery body sheel, being bobbed and modded.....
 
On Sat, 21 Jan 2006 23:03:38 +0000, Tom Woods
<[email protected]> scribbled the following nonsense:

>On Sat, 21 Jan 2006 21:11:01 +0000, Steve
><[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>Simon Isaacs wrote:
>>> I need to fit a tow hitch to my ambi to pull a standard trailer (not
>>> nato). I have already collected some sketches of how I intend to
>>> fabricate the hitch plate and connect it to the chassis, but would
>>> appreciate it if any of you have done a similar thing and would be
>>> willing to share your experience and photos with me.
>>
>>Lee dunnit. You kept the step ?
>
>Yeah, Lee's done it.
>
>He has a nice ambi rear step with a cut out in it so that it can fold
>down over the towball.
>
>Piccies on his site at:
>http://www.lrproject.com/morph/index.html

almost the same as my planned job!
--

Simon Isaacs

Peterborough 4x4 Club Newsletter Editor and Webmaster
Green Lane Association (GLASS) Financial Director
101 Ambi, undergoing camper conversion www.simoni.co.uk
1976 S3 LWT, Fully restored, ready for sale! Make me an offer!
Suzuki SJ410 (Wife's) 3" lift kit fitted, body shell now restored and mounted on chassis, waiting on a windscreen and MOT
Series 3 88" Rolling chassis...what to do next
1993 200 TDi Discovery
1994 200 TDi Discovery body sheel, being bobbed and modded.....
 
Steve <[email protected]> uttered summat worrerz funny about:
> Tom Woods wrote:
>> Yeah, Lee's done it.
>>
>> He has a nice ambi rear step with a cut out in it so that it can fold
>> down over the towball.
>>
>> Piccies on his site at:
>> http://www.lrproject.com/morph/index.html
>>
>
> Its a neat job isn't it ? Does an ambi have the right ratings though
> to tow, given its kerb weight, compared to a GS ?
>
> Steve

Eh? Discuss... cos I'm about to lug a Big caravan to a couple of events this
year with Morph.

I'd have thought as long as it will tow what ever is behind then the kerb
weight is actually to it's benifit. I'd anticipate no more than 75kg's down
on the tow bar, given the shortness of the distance between the rear axle
and the tow bar then it'll be a much nicer tug than say a 127/130.

I just need to get some supports made to run from the bottom of the tow bar
to the chassis to save shared bolts and knackered rear step and doors as
seen elsewhere.

Lee D
--
www.lrproject.com





 
Lee_D wrote:

>
> Eh? Discuss... cos I'm about to lug a Big caravan to a couple of events this
> year with Morph.
>
> I'd have thought as long as it will tow what ever is behind then the kerb
> weight is actually to it's benifit. I'd anticipate no more than 75kg's down
> on the tow bar, given the shortness of the distance between the rear axle
> and the tow bar then it'll be a much nicer tug than say a 127/130.

I am sure we had a thread on this on one of our mutual groups, or
possibly in Six-Stud. ISTR that Darren or Al pointed out that the ambi
wasn't really tow rated. but I may well be wrong.

Steve
 
On Sun, 22 Jan 2006 18:36:33 -0000, "Lee_D"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>I just need to get some supports made to run from the bottom of the tow bar
>to the chassis to save shared bolts and knackered rear step and doors as
>seen elsewhere.

I think that's absolutely essential.

http://www.101fc.net/unofficial-uk-2005/unofficial-2005-026.jpg

Not nice.


--
"We have gone from a world of concentrated knowledge and wisdom to one
of distributed ignorance. And we know and understand less while being
increasingly capable." Prof. Peter Cochrane, formerly of BT Labs
In memory of Brian {Hamilton Kelly} who logged off 15th September 2005
 
On Sun, 22 Jan 2006 18:44:28 +0000, Steve
<[email protected]> scribbled the following nonsense:

>Lee_D wrote:
>
>>
>> Eh? Discuss... cos I'm about to lug a Big caravan to a couple of events this
>> year with Morph.
>>
>> I'd have thought as long as it will tow what ever is behind then the kerb
>> weight is actually to it's benifit. I'd anticipate no more than 75kg's down
>> on the tow bar, given the shortness of the distance between the rear axle
>> and the tow bar then it'll be a much nicer tug than say a 127/130.
>
>I am sure we had a thread on this on one of our mutual groups, or
>possibly in Six-Stud. ISTR that Darren or Al pointed out that the ambi
>wasn't really tow rated. but I may well be wrong.
>
>Steve

Plate in my my ambi says "maximum recomended towing capacity 2 tons"
Go figure!

I think the reason that Ambis were not tow rated is something to do
with the Geneva Convention. I seem to remember it was a dark night at
Gaydon, with lots of beer, and it was Al who telling me all of this.
When I pointed out that a 101 ambi converted to a motorhome is no
longer really an ambi, he did agree that the Geneva Convention would
no longer apply.

Bear in mind I've summarised a 3 hour discussion in 5 lines!! Managed
to escape because my can was empty!
--

Simon Isaacs

Peterborough 4x4 Club Newsletter Editor and Webmaster
Green Lane Association (GLASS) Financial Director
101 Ambi, undergoing camper conversion www.simoni.co.uk
1976 S3 LWT, Fully restored, ready for sale! Make me an offer!
Suzuki SJ410 (Wife's) 3" lift kit fitted, body shell now restored and mounted on chassis, waiting on a windscreen and MOT
Series 3 88" Rolling chassis...what to do next
1993 200 TDi Discovery
1994 200 TDi Discovery body sheel, being bobbed and modded.....
 
On Sun, 22 Jan 2006 19:02:42 +0000, Mother <"@ {mother} @"@101fc.net>
scribbled the following nonsense:

>On Sun, 22 Jan 2006 18:36:33 -0000, "Lee_D"
><[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>I just need to get some supports made to run from the bottom of the tow bar
>>to the chassis to save shared bolts and knackered rear step and doors as
>>seen elsewhere.
>
>I think that's absolutely essential.
>
>http://www.101fc.net/unofficial-uk-2005/unofficial-2005-026.jpg
>
>Not nice.

ouch!
--

Simon Isaacs

Peterborough 4x4 Club Newsletter Editor and Webmaster
Green Lane Association (GLASS) Financial Director
101 Ambi, undergoing camper conversion www.simoni.co.uk
1976 S3 LWT, Fully restored, ready for sale! Make me an offer!
Suzuki SJ410 (Wife's) 3" lift kit fitted, body shell now restored and mounted on chassis, waiting on a windscreen and MOT
Series 3 88" Rolling chassis...what to do next
1993 200 TDi Discovery
1994 200 TDi Discovery body sheel, being bobbed and modded.....
 
Simon Isaacs <[email protected]> uttered summat worrerz funny about:
> On Sun, 22 Jan 2006 19:02:42 +0000, Mother <"@ {mother} @"@101fc.net>
> scribbled the following nonsense:
>
>> On Sun, 22 Jan 2006 18:36:33 -0000, "Lee_D"
>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>> I just need to get some supports made to run from the bottom of the
>>> tow bar to the chassis to save shared bolts and knackered rear step
>>> and doors as seen elsewhere.
>>
>> I think that's absolutely essential.
>>
>> http://www.101fc.net/unofficial-uk-2005/unofficial-2005-026.jpg
>>
>> Not nice.
>
> ouch!

Going back to plan A though Si.. the drop plate I had welded on (as per the
piccys by a pucker coach builders!) was from a series vehicle. It cost me £5
from a tat stall at Gaydon including tow ball. The extention thingy mer
wotsit came from a VW beetle tow bar I scrapped a while ago. I must get the
reinforcements done as I've an appointment with a green lane in Feb
hopefully from a caravan site in Ashbourne with a pub on site :) ...

Speaking of which Mother did you get the email?

Al donated the modified rear step... my rear step was all steel...including
the skin...bloody prototypes! My old one was heavily dinked and very rusty.



Lee D


 
Simon Isaacs <[email protected]> uttered summat worrerz funny about:
> Plate in my my ambi says "maximum recomended towing capacity 2 tons"
> Go figure!

Phew!

>
> I think the reason that Ambis were not tow rated is something to do
> with the Geneva Convention.

I hadn't planned shooting the hitch in the ball whilst displaying Red cross
signs ;-)

> I seem to remember it was a dark night at
> Gaydon, with lots of beer, and it was Al who telling me all of this.
> When I pointed out that a 101 ambi converted to a motorhome is no
> longer really an ambi, he did agree that the Geneva Convention would
> no longer apply.

Oh I feel I have also had this conversation , summat to do with Ambi's
registered with the NHS trust for national emergencies.

I prefer to think of Morph as a "field cafe" with fully paid up tax and tow
bar. ;-)

Lee


 
On Sun, 22 Jan 2006 20:14:52 -0000, "Lee_D"
<[email protected]> scribbled the following
nonsense:

>Simon Isaacs <[email protected]> uttered summat worrerz funny about:
>> On Sun, 22 Jan 2006 19:02:42 +0000, Mother <"@ {mother} @"@101fc.net>
>> scribbled the following nonsense:
>>
>>> On Sun, 22 Jan 2006 18:36:33 -0000, "Lee_D"
>>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>
>>>> I just need to get some supports made to run from the bottom of the
>>>> tow bar to the chassis to save shared bolts and knackered rear step
>>>> and doors as seen elsewhere.
>>>
>>> I think that's absolutely essential.
>>>
>>> http://www.101fc.net/unofficial-uk-2005/unofficial-2005-026.jpg
>>>
>>> Not nice.
>>
>> ouch!
>
>Going back to plan A though Si.. the drop plate I had welded on (as per the
>piccys by a pucker coach builders!) was from a series vehicle. It cost me £5
>from a tat stall at Gaydon including tow ball. The extention thingy mer
>wotsit came from a VW beetle tow bar I scrapped a while ago. I must get the
>reinforcements done as I've an appointment with a green lane in Feb
>hopefully from a caravan site in Ashbourne with a pub on site :) ...
>
>Speaking of which Mother did you get the email?
>
>Al donated the modified rear step... my rear step was all steel...including
>the skin...bloody prototypes! My old one was heavily dinked and very rusty.
>
>
>
>Lee D
>

yep, I have an old series drop plate form my S3, hence my thinking
along your lines. Will probably bolt through once welded as though
just in case. Job was getting done in a local welders. Managed to
churn out some AutoCAD designs which they loved. Well, I had to get
used the software I teach the kids!

My spare step came from Al, current one is split, but have plans so
that step can be left down with doors shut, a la Martyn.

Guessing the pub at Ashbourne is the Hurt Arms??? Not a bad little
place, well used by GLASS.
--

Simon Isaacs

Peterborough 4x4 Club Newsletter Editor and Webmaster
Green Lane Association (GLASS) Financial Director
101 Ambi, undergoing camper conversion www.simoni.co.uk
1976 S3 LWT, Fully restored, ready for sale! Make me an offer!
Suzuki SJ410 (Wife's) 3" lift kit fitted, body shell now restored and mounted on chassis, waiting on a windscreen and MOT
Series 3 88" Rolling chassis...what to do next
1993 200 TDi Discovery
1994 200 TDi Discovery body sheel, being bobbed and modded.....
 
Simon Isaacs <[email protected]> uttered summat worrerz funny about:

> Guessing the pub at Ashbourne is the Hurt Arms??? Not a bad little
> place, well used by GLASS.

http://www.callowtop.co.uk/

Dunno the pub name... mission is to A) get the little man to ride minus
stabalisers (tissington trail is also adjacent) B) Do a few tame/scenic
green lanes (weather permitting - don't want to do any damage) C) Gesh
drunked hic!#!

:0)

Lee D


 
On Sun, 22 Jan 2006 20:27:41 +0000 (UTC), Simon Isaacs
<[email protected]> wrote:

>but have plans so
>that step can be left down with doors shut, a la Martyn.

Can't you do this anyway?

I can't decide what to do with my rear step. I was thinking of hanging
my spare on the back door - and that would be easier if i took the
step off and made the door bigger.

How heavy is the rear step too? I fancied saving a bit of weight too!

 
....and Simon Isaacs spake unto the tribes of Usenet, saying...

> Guessing the pub at Ashbourne is the Hurt Arms???

Couldn't be a better name, judging by the state of mine.

--
Rich
==============================

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.


 
Tom Woods <[email protected]> uttered summat worrerz funny
about:
> On Sun, 22 Jan 2006 20:27:41 +0000 (UTC), Simon Isaacs
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> but have plans so
>> that step can be left down with doors shut, a la Martyn.
>
> Can't you do this anyway?

Not unless chopped so it slots over said towey thing duffer.. Then you have
the issue of a draught during the night. Martyn has a rather clever board
which is bolted (mortice bolts) in to place to keep the weather out.

> I can't decide what to do with my rear step. I was thinking of hanging
> my spare on the back door - and that would be easier if i took the
> step off and made the door bigger.

You need to see Morphs front wheel carrier.. I now have an extra 18 inches
crumple zone... which means I now have 18 inches of total crumple zone :)

> How heavy is the rear step too? I fancied saving a bit of weight too!

Not as heavy as an all steel one....but I'd guess as heavy as about 10
litres of water (given we are talking campers/expo vehicles)

If I wasn't trying not to bugger Morphs external features about I'd be
removing one door and fitting the right hand door (as viewed from behind) in
the centre as seen elsewhere (queue Martyn and suitable image :) ) Then
make this door full length and bung the wheel on it init.



Lee


 
On Sun, 22 Jan 2006 20:34:16 -0000, "Lee_D"
<[email protected]> scribbled the following
nonsense:

>Simon Isaacs <[email protected]> uttered summat worrerz funny about:
>
>> Guessing the pub at Ashbourne is the Hurt Arms??? Not a bad little
>> place, well used by GLASS.
>
>http://www.callowtop.co.uk/
>
>Dunno the pub name... mission is to A) get the little man to ride minus
>stabalisers (tissington trail is also adjacent) B) Do a few tame/scenic
>green lanes (weather permitting - don't want to do any damage) C) Gesh
>drunked hic!#!
>
>:0)
>
>Lee D
>

can be a cold site can callow top
--

Simon Isaacs

Peterborough 4x4 Club Newsletter Editor and Webmaster
Green Lane Association (GLASS) Financial Director
101 Ambi, undergoing camper conversion www.simoni.co.uk
1976 S3 LWT, Fully restored, ready for sale! Make me an offer!
Suzuki SJ410 (Wife's) 3" lift kit fitted, body shell now restored and mounted on chassis, waiting on a windscreen and MOT
Series 3 88" Rolling chassis...what to do next
1993 200 TDi Discovery
1994 200 TDi Discovery body sheel, being bobbed and modded.....
 
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