First time towing - Dixon Bate Shocklink WANTED

I have just finished restoring a series 3 109, and I would like to take my caravan to the south of France behind it.
As it is obviously leaf springs, i read that a Dixon Bate shocklink is either vital or a waste!!
Can anyone help, and does anyone have one for sale?
Much appreciated
Chris

ChrisG1969 said:

I have just finished restoring a series 3 109, and I would like to take my caravan to the south of France behind it.
As it is obviously leaf springs, i read that a Dixon Bate shocklink is either vital or a waste!!
Can anyone help, and does anyone have one for sale?
Much appreciated
Chris

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Interesting, never heard of them.

The Dixon Bate Shocklink Mark II

Shock absorbing couplings

Many years ago towbar manufacturer Dixon Bate produced the Shocklink coupling. It uses coil springs with rubber inserts to absorb any shocks transmitted through the towbar to the trailer. The coupling is primarily designed for use on 4x4s and other large vehicles fitted with leaf spring rear suspensions.

The Shocklink was only available for vehicles fitted with a Dixon-Bate adjustable height towbar. It can't be used with other type approved towbars unless the towbar has been granted type approval with the Shocklink in place. If you can still find one it can be fitted to carsregistered before 1 August 1998 and motorhomes registered before 29 October 2012.

Source : A Guide to Towbars and Towing Electrics - The Camping and Caravanning Club (right at the bottom)

Thanks fir the reply. It’s a well debated topic but seems to be down to the caravan manufacturers to decide. They all say towing without one will invalidate any warranty and also insurance as it puts stress on the chassis ! Trouble is i can’t seem to find one!!

ChrisG1969 said:

Thanks fir the reply. It’s a well debated topic but seems to be down to the caravan manufacturers to decide. They all say towing without one will invalidate any warranty and also insurance as it puts stress on the chassis ! Trouble is i can’t seem to find one!!

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Surely that means they will sell no caravans in the future, which seems silly of them ...

Hi and welcome
A 109... Towing... To the south of France... Well, that will be an adventure!! I hope it's not a 2.25 diesel
I've heard modern caravans really don't like leaf springs

ChrisG1969 said:

Thanks fir the reply. It’s a well debated topic but seems to be down to the caravan manufacturers to decide. They all say towing without one will invalidate any warranty and also insurance as it puts stress on the chassis ! Trouble is i can’t seem to find one!!

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Search Dixon Bates web site.they will list them on there.
A good question to ask the caravan manufacture would be what happens if the link rubber fails & falls apart, who is paying the claim?(which you will also find this fault on the web)
If you use a standard drip hitch just put some split hose pipe down the slider ladder to stop the rattle.

Also how do other motors get away without a shock link as you can’t fit these to newer motors as their hitches just push in

I fitted one to my discovery in the 1990s, towing a heavy 4 wheel caravan it made it much more comfortable for my passengers,
Quite amazing to watch the caravan move up and down in the rear window without effecting the Discovery,
Expensive but well worth it, many horse owners used them when towing a horse box so may be worth looking at stables and such to see if you can get one,

Europa486 said:

I fitted one to my discovery in the 1990s, towing a heavy 4 wheel caravan it made it much more comfortable for my passengers,
Quite amazing to watch the caravan move up and down in the rear window without effecting the Discovery,
Expensive but well worth it, many horse owners used them when towing a horse box so may be worth looking at stables and such to see if you can get one,

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They do seem to do the job, but they are extremely expensive.
There is an alternative which i found!! Its called the Flexitow, which is usually for & ton lorries and above but is also suited to a leaf sprung series vehicle. It does the same as the Shocklink, but is £305 instead of north of £600.

kermit_rr said:

Hi and welcome
A 109... Towing... To the south of France... Well, that will be an adventure!! I hope it's not a 2.25 diesel
I've heard modern caravans really don't like leaf springs

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Petrol Now!!
It could be a long trip!! Still debating it!!
Now Ive got a problem - Ive knackered the thread on the gearbox where the brass 1/2 selector detent spring holder screws in. Would anyone know what thread it is so i can get it tapped?