Detachable tow/recovery arrangements.

I've seen a recovery setup - admittedly American, and on a Jeep - where there is a detachable system, which means you can fit either a normal tow ball hitch for towing or swap for a Nato style if you want recovery mode. Anyone got any pics or experience of anything like this on a Series?

These sort of combi affairs are an attractive option being maybe more flexible as a more permanently fixed setup, but I am sure they are compromised as to strength. This one is "rated" at 8 tonne, but the ball only 3.5t. Don't see how that's possible as there is nothing joining the ball to the top arm, so to me the weak link is the ball, so rating can only be 3.5t.

I have both the NATO hitch and a std tow ball fitted, the NATO hitch goes on the rear crossmember where there are matching holes and the hieght matches a Sankey, and the tow ball is on a drop plate to match normal trailer hieght. It works fine as there's a good 9" difference in hieght. The NATO hitch can be swivelled if its in the way. If you put a tow ball on the cross member it around a foot too high.

Thanks. You got a pic of yours in situ? I did have a thought, as the adjustable one is fitted, to get a spare face plate and put a Nato on one and tow ball on the other. Swapping would then be taking out 2 pins.

These are the recovery point on my landrover rear the pin arrangement is for recovery and two on front for a bridle tow.

Thanks for that. They are the d rings I have to fit. Looks like I shall be drilling a couple holes in the bumper and backing up with a stiffener plate, rather than drilling the chassis dumb irons.

My bumper looks like it was made with the extra holes in.

If your trialling with a landrover owners club member they will want the recovery points in the right place.
Also the rear tow hitch has to have a backing plate for the bolts to stop it pulling through the chassis even if your chassis is brand new galvanised one.

Thanks for that. Not intending trialling, but if that's what they want, then it is prob strongest option, so good info.

ChrisnCareyAnn said:

Thanks. You got a pic of yours in situ? I did have a thought, as the adjustable one is fitted, to get a spare face plate and put a Nato on one and tow ball on the other. Swapping would then be taking out 2 pins.

Click to expand...

Here it is. The NATO hitch is on doubler plates and anti-crush tubes in the chassis. There is a 1/4" drop plate that has two welded angles to the rear chassis legs. That has the 4 bolts in to a second bend drop plate that has the tow ball and step. This set up moves the tow ball to the rear and makes it more accessible. I can't help with the bent plate as I found it in a skip! The std tow plug is wired to the NATO socket so I can unplug it to use it.

That's really clear, thanks. You got a side job, towing houses?

Actualy the step gets the most use and this set up puts in in a really handy place.
Its the orginal 50 year old chassis but has had a new crossmember welded in at some stage, my biggest concern was making sure it stayed welded