Tow bar woes...

Hi everybody Finally I am back in the fold after 8 years of Land Rover limbo (that was when I sold my 96 ES Discovery). I am now the proud and rather crazy owner of a 2a Marshall ambulance bodied Land Rover. I would like to fit a tow bar to it but...how? The overhang on this body has a step that folds down to gain access into the back. So, it does preclude fitting a standard Dixon Bate tow bracket. I could do with one of those removable swan neck style bars but can I get them for this vehicle?

Any ideas? Has anybody seen any ingenious solutions to this problem on other similar bodied 2a's?

Safe journeys.

Kevan

I've seen a photo in a fairly recent LRO (I think) of a 2a ambulance on a trailer being towed by another 2a ambulance. Bet that was a fun drive. I'll see if I can find it and whether it showed the towbar setup.

is there not an offical landrover towbar extending bit? i think i remember seeing some think in the parts book, possibly on a series 3 hi-cap. if i can find the ceedee parts book i'll hve a look.....


...... no couldn't see anything that would extend the arm out much...

Tinribs said:

I've seen a photo in a fairly recent LRO (I think) of a 2a ambulance on a trailer being towed by another 2a ambulance. Bet that was a fun drive. I'll see if I can find it and whether it showed the towbar setup.

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Cheers I'm pretty sure I'm not the first to want to fit a tow bar to one of these so there must be a solution... Appreciate the help.

Take care.

Kevan

doobie said:

is there not an offical landrover towbar extending bit? i think i remember seeing some think in the parts book, possibly on a series 3 hi-cap. if i can find the ceedee parts book i'll hve a look.....


...... no couldn't see anything that would extend the arm out much...

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Ah well, it was worth a try Thank you for looking.

Take care.

Kevan

ps. I've got about 6 bag fulls of various magazines (must be at least 60 or 70 in total) that I'm steadily going through myself. They date from the late 90's to earlier this year (Jan). Finger's crossed I may spot something myself...

as an extra help i'll have a word we me ma as she runs a towbar fitting company, the fitter is a bit of a series landy fan as well!

by how much does the body overhang? any chance of a pic?

doobie said:

as an extra help i'll have a word we me ma as she runs a towbar fitting company, the fitter is a bit of a series landy fan as well!

by how much does the body overhang? any chance of a pic?

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Certainly I have to get some done for my insurance so, assuming the infernal rain does stop over the weekend.... I shall take some pic's then.

As a rough guide the actual overhang is not that much. I'd say something like 6 to 10 inches max. The biggest problem is that there is a central step that is pretty much essential to getting into and out of the rear compartment. If anything is going to screw things up this will be it.

Cheers

Kevan

had a word wi me ma earlier today, she was saying that an extension thing would put too great a strain on the chasis/bolts and tow bar so that sort of thing isnt allowed on your modern cars and no one makes anything like it. modern cars are only supposed to have proper designed towbars i.e. not something you made in your garden shed out of coat hangers......

.......but series landy's being old and generally bizare can get away with having something made up to suit.

BUT if you do get something made you really have to think about the extra forces that it will be putting on the chassis and fittings.

ooooh oooooh oooh found a genuine land rover part that should solve your problem.....

part number NRC7752 EXTENSION TOW BRACKET 109 for the High Cap Pick Up. If you got to Craddocks website and punch in the part number it should bring it up for £14.36. doesnt have a picture with is a pain.

if you can get a look at a parts book its on drawing VS3658/A in the Optional equipment and tools section its got the whole thing there with all the brackets and bolts. SORTED!!

doobie said:

ooooh oooooh oooh found a genuine land rover part that should solve your problem.....

part number NRC7752 EXTENSION TOW BRACKET 109 for the High Cap Pick Up. If you got to Craddocks website and punch in the part number it should bring it up for £14.36. doesnt have a picture with is a pain.

if you can get a look at a parts book its on drawing VS3658/A in the Optional equipment and tools section its got the whole thing there with all the brackets and bolts. SORTED!!

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I can possibly do even better than looking at it on the webpage I've got to take a little visit to Craddocks tomorrow morning so I'll ask to see it there. They are literally only 5 minutes drive away from me I will check the webpage too though.

Many, many thanks for this.

Take care all

Kevan

doobie said:

as an extra help i'll have a word we me ma as she runs a towbar fitting company, the fitter is a bit of a series landy fan as well!

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Doobie........furry boot's yer ma's place, sair needin ean on ma series II dormobile......ony discounts for landyzone members??

gramor said:

Doobie........furry boot's yer ma's place, sair needin ean on ma series II dormobile......ony discounts for landyzone members??

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she runs a mobile service, the van will come to your vehicle and as long as it isnt parked in a bog they'll fit it there for you. i'll pm you their number so i dont get accused of spamming!!

kevanf1 said:

I can possibly do even better than looking at it on the webpage I've got to take a little visit to Craddocks tomorrow morning so I'll ask to see it there. They are literally only 5 minutes drive away from me I will check the webpage too though.

Many, many thanks for this.

Take care all

Kevan

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nice! can you pick me up some shiny landy bits while your there!! glad to be of some use for once!!!

doobie said:

she runs a mobile service, the van will come to your vehicle and as long as it isnt parked in a bog they'll fit it there for you. i'll pm you their number so i dont get accused of spamming!!

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Spam on LZ?........shirley not!!.......cheers.

Checked out that bracket... no good for my purpose sadly I asked a couple of the mechanics who knew the part straight away. They checked over the rear of the body and it is 100% not suitable sadly...

I have just a reply off a guy on another forum who has made two towing brackets for his similar ambulance bodied 2a. He's going to get some pictures taken and I can hopefully then fabricate a tow bar myself Be good to get the old arc welder out again.

Thank you for all the advice given it is truly appreciated.

Kevan

Quick update on this one and it's good news A chap on another forum has a 2a Marshall and he made a tow bar. He's successfully pulled a dirty great caravan with it and no problems. The most I'll be pulling is a 5 foot long trailer (single axle lightweight job) so shouldn't have any problems. He's sent me some superb pictures to work from so I'll get crafting and fire that welder up.

Thanks for the help it's greatly appreciated.

Kevan