drop plate backwards

hello has anyone tried turning the drop plate round so the tow ball bolts to the long bit?i would be towing a ton and half is this stupid thing to do?

yes ive done this to the disco tow bar drop plate and to tow the sankey

alot clearer with some pics

not a bad idea that, gets rid of the offroad plow

I'd say the shear force on the cross pin has increased about 3 times in that example. Think what is happening when you brake or accelerate with a load, instead of the pin taking that load directly a lever system has been set up (3rd class?). The long plate will want to bend back or forward, with the fulcrum being the edge of the short plate. A 1.5 tonne trailer could be putting over 4 tonnes on it. Might be ok..... I wouldn't. Ask Dixon Bate what they think

I cant, defender one has the extra support bars that attach to the bottom of the drop.

Ahh well, Ill put up with it till I cat get me a receiver hitch.

good point about the loads on the pin too.

nah the fulcrum point has barely changed in relationship to the point of application of the load

(im treating the centre of the ball as a point load)

The lower pin will take most of the force (from that angle its hard to see exactly what relationship the towball compared to the 2 pins)

The upper pin will also be subject to a shear force but this will be less than the lower one.

with normal breaking or even an emergency stop cant see any issue. In a crash... who knows.... depends what you hit!

I know what Plod and insurance will say in the event of an accident or the tailer breaking away. And it won't be "What a great idea"

that pin will not shear

Spunka said:

that pin will not shear

Click to expand...

that sounds like a very positive response, is that a voice of experience?

That pin will be a hardened steel bar, and the drop plate is not "sharp"

Youd be doing well to shear it. If you do, youve probably written off your car at the same time.

Spunka said:

that pin will not shear

Click to expand...

Not unless he's towing a tank How ever the thread on the bolts thru the towing bracket might be a different matter.

End of the day it's a non standard untested towing arrangement and whilst it may well be fine. You just know that if the worst happens. Plod/Ins are gonna screw him big stylee. Why risk it?? Tank guard with detachable receiver hitch is the way to go,

timtheenchanteruk said:

I cant, defender one has the extra support bars that attach to the bottom of the drop.

Ahh well, Ill put up with it till I cat get me a receiver hitch.

good point about the loads on the pin too.

Click to expand...

So should Disco In fact drop plate shouldn't even be attached to the tow bracket he has got fitted.

I would defently put baceing bars on this set up if it was mine

I've got me a terrafirma reciver hitch is much betta' :nothingtoadd:,

MaxyMan said:

I've got me a terrafirma reciver hitch is much betta' :nothingtoadd:,

Click to expand...

Still illegal for towing on the road I would think. Not type approved any accident would be you liability.

I have defently put baceing bars on this set up as it is mine