Drop plate for tow step

Lawson86 · Oct 28, 2020

Good evening,

I've been searching for an adjustable drop plate to attach to my tow step so I can tow my caravan (6 birth twin axle 1700kg mtplm) as it's currently to high. I've seen quite a few but question is, which ones are suitable to attach to the tow step? The tow step is attached via bolts into the cross member and the support bars which run to the chassis, most of the drop plates I've seen need the support bars at the bottom of the drop plate but my tow step is already attached via this method.

Any help would be appreciated.

Hicap phill · Oct 28, 2020

Have you a picture of the tow step you have?
I’m a bit lost as to the make you have.

Lawson86 · Oct 28, 2020

I got it from paddocks a few years ago, this is a pic off the web but the step is identical. I'm guessing it may be britpart. A bit dark to go and take a good pic at the minute. I've bolted on a tow ball at the minute for recovery.

Thanks for the reply.

Hicap phill · Oct 28, 2020

I would remove the step & use a Dixon bate.
These are adjustable & you can get a rubber shock type. Now they do rattle/chatter but they are good.
You can get a step that bolts behind the tow ball.

Lawson86 · Oct 28, 2020

Hicap phill said:
I would remove the step & use a Dixon bate.
These are adjustable & you can get a rubber shock type. Now they do rattle/chatter but they are good.
You can get a step that bolts behind the tow ball.

Had a look at the Dixon bate stuff as a last option I will remove but I want to keep the step, Surely there must be something out there that you can bolt on as it is a "tow step" after all?

Hicap phill · Oct 28, 2020

The problem you have is the step.
A drop plate will go on there BUT you need to brace it, from flexing forward/backwards.

Hicap phill · Oct 28, 2020

@Lawson86 quick Q....
Do you have any relatives close to longbridge/west heath?

Lawson86 · Oct 28, 2020

Hicap phill said:
The problem you have is the step.
A drop plate will go on there BUT you need to brace it, from flexing forward/backwards.

I know I will either do it properly or not at all.

Hicap phill said:
@Lawson86 quick Q....
Do you have any relatives close to longbridge/west heath?

Nope, not that I know of.

tottot · Oct 28, 2020

How about seeing if a series drop plate will bolt to your step/hitch. The series plate is shorter than defender type and only bolts to the crossmember, no stays. You likely only need to drop the hitch a bit so the standard one would do. Check the flea bay.

dag019 · Oct 31, 2020

tottot said:
How about seeing if a series drop plate will bolt to your step/hitch. The series plate is shorter than defender type and only bolts to the crossmember, no stays. You likely only need to drop the hitch a bit so the standard one would do. Check the flea bay.

This was going to be my suggestion as well. A series drop plate does not have the support stays back to the chassis.
Not the best photo but you can see it here on mine:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LAND-ROV...HEIGHT-TOWING-DROP-PLATE-DA2012-/270920013959

They are very cheap even new, and all you would need to do to mount it is drill 4x 16mm holes are the top to match the ones on your current to step (which will be the same spacing as the ones at the bottom of the plate).

Rougharse Racing · Nov 1, 2020

I have used a Series 2/3 drop plate on my 110. I found that it flexed a tiny bit with a horse box on the back, so welded on a couple of brackets and fitted stays back to the chassis.
I fitted a universal step that is intended to bolt onto the tow ball, but welded it higher up the drop plate to stop it getting wiped off.

Lawson86 · Nov 2, 2020

Thanks for the replys everyone, caravan trip has been cancelled now due to the looming lockdown so I've got plenty of time to find a solution.

Drop plate for tow step

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