Tow Hook

It's a purpose built with equipment I really need. Causing me a headache trying to get this nato hitch connected.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/183726672721

Once I get it local, I can convert trailer to a ball I guess.

Hi

Ref the recall notice , https://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/q393-detachable-towbar-lr-letter-121876.html?highlight=recall

flat said:

No apology needed. I only know this as a friend was certain my defender nato hitch wasn’t legal, even though it came fitted with it from landrover. I dig into it a fair bit at the time and found the type approval and the years it applies to - my 1992 defender is perfectly legal with its type approved hitch but his 1999 disco wouldn’t be. I can’t remember the cut off year but I thinknit was mid 90’s

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Thks, every day is a school day , lol

Nodge68 said:

The LR recall was to eliminate the tow hook falling out, should the receiver in the chassis rail have gone loose. For vehicles with a loose receiver, LR gave a choice of remedial action. They should have fitted a replacement rear chassis rail, if the tow bar was only used occasionally. Or if more extensive towing was being contemplated, then the bolt on fixed tow bar was suggested.

Our local LR dealer was pushing the bolt on bar, simply because it's easier to sort, than cutting out the bad chassis rail and welding in a replacement.

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Cheers , makes sense now why I see they fit a new fixed towbar instead of replacing the rear cross member

Thks again for the info

Swampie said:

It's a purpose built with equipment I really need. Causing me a headache trying to get this nato hitch connected.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/183726672721

Once I get it local, I can convert trailer to a ball I guess.

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After reading that description, it doesn’t need a NATO hitch, NATO hitches are for NATO/British army trailers. Just because it has a ring towing eye, doesn’t mean it’s a NATO hitch. All that needs is a “ring and pin” tow bar.

Swampie said:

It's a purpose built with equipment I really need. Causing me a headache trying to get this nato hitch connected.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/183726672721

Once I get it local, I can convert trailer to a ball I guess.

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Have a look at this. It lists sizes for the NATO hitch and standard civilian tow eyes. Message the seller and as them to measure the diameter of the tow eye and confirm what type it is.

It seems crazy to me to fit a tow bar arrangement that will only be able to tow a limited number of trailers. Just change the tow eye on the trailer for a standard socket.

Col

Swampie said:

It's a purpose built with equipment I really need. Causing me a headache trying to get this nato hitch connected.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/183726672721

Once I get it local, I can convert trailer to a ball I guess.

Click to expand...

mick 1986 said:

After reading that description, it doesn’t need a NATO hitch, NATO hitches are for NATO/British army trailers. Just because it has a ring towing eye, doesn’t mean it’s a NATO hitch. All that needs is a “ring and pin” tow bar.

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Colthebrummie said:

It seems crazy to me to fit a tow bar arrangement that will only be able to tow a limited number of trailers. Just change the tow eye on the trailer for a standard socket.

Col

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I refer to honourable gentlemen to the reply I gave earlier : #8
A ball and pin or a jaw and pin will do the job. Just have a look at the majority of plant trailers being hauled around the country! The former option gives the flexibility of "normal" towing as well

Beneagles said:

I refer to honourable gentlemen to the reply I gave earlier : #8
A ball and pin or a jaw and pin will do the job. Just have a look at the majority of plant trailers being hauled around the country! The former option gives the flexibility of "normal" towing as well

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Missed your reply to be fair, but I agree. No idea where the silly idea that it was a NATO eye came from?

Imho. A pin and ring tow hitch has no place on the back of a D3, especially if it reduces the ground clearance at the rear.
The standard 50mm ball is designed for refined, quick, clean and sturdy trailer attachment. A pin is designed for the back of a builders truck, where the shunting and rattling of these crude hitches makes no difference to the tow vehicle's refinement.

Swampie said:

It's a purpose built with equipment I really need. Causing me a headache trying to get this nato hitch connected.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/183726672721

Once I get it local, I can convert trailer to a ball I guess.

Click to expand...

I’ve got one of those chippers, I just load it onto my 8x5 trailer and strap it down, much nicer to tow. If you can borrow or rent a standard trailer for the day you would probably fit that whole setup onto it to get it home, then just fit a 50mm ball coupling.

Should i call landrover regarding the recall than and is the following acceptable thing to do?

"What your Land Rover authorised repairer will do

Inspect the condition of the tow equipment using a gauge special tool. Where the gauge indicates excessive wear, install heavy duty multi-height towbar equipment. A handbook supplement should be placed in the vehicle literature pack. The rework action will be undertaken on your vehicle at no charge to you, under the terms of this programme."

Would their heavy duty multi-height equipment allow for a ball and pin to be bolted on (even temporarily nodge if that ends up ugly)

If what I think I have seen is fixed, that's ugly too.

I wonder, has anyone got details of the LR replacement?

Should I go for a fixed option or removable? I believe the fixed is multi-height.

bluedog333 said:

I’ve got one of those chippers, I just load it onto my 8x5 trailer and strap it down, much nicer to tow. If you can borrow or rent a standard trailer for the day you would probably fit that whole setup onto it to get it home, then just fit a 50mm ball coupling.

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Bluedog, Do you think it would strap to this trailer, 1850mm internal width?

The strap locations look a bit naff just being x6 and nothing through the floor.

Swampie said:

Bluedog, Do you think it would strap to this trailer, 1850mm internal width?

The strap locations look a bit naff just being x6 and nothing through the floor.

View attachment 172539

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I don’t know to be honest, I only have the chipper, not the trailer! I would think so though, the chipper+trailer don’t look very wide. Probably best to ask the seller the max. width, I had a look online but can’t find any mention of the width.

OK thanks anyway.

Does anybody have details or pictures of the tow bar LR fit?
Google seems difficult to search for the image as I don't know the bestv search term and am getting info on the recall more than the replacement options.

Swampie said:

OK thanks anyway.

Does anybody have details or pictures of the tow bar LR fit?
Google seems difficult to search for the image as I don't know the bestv search term and am getting info on the recall more than the replacement options.

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I believe it’s this setup :

With the ‘standard’ type back plate, you’ll be able to fit a Dixon Bate style tow ball and pin. This will allow you to tow the chipper trailer providing the ring will fit with the pin!

Yep, that was what worried me. It's low isn't it. My disco already catches the floor at my mum's drive as it's steep too.

I believe LR had 2 options of fixed or removable dependant on customer towing habits.

It's a G4 option found in New Zealand web page but this looks tidy. Seems it would take the Dixon Bate option too.

Of the two common ball & pin the standard one is a 3.5 ton with a 25mm pin and 2 bolt hole fixing (as fitted to my disco), the other is the larger 5 ton with a 32mm pin and a 4 bolt hole fixing and required to accommodate the larger towing ring, i.e large plant trailers etc).

UK Option found:-

https://www.towsure.com/land-rover-...3rDjSk2MSbBmo9qK4_tdo1Fx0h2b-KKxoCaTkQAvD_BwE

discool said:

Of the two common ball & pin the standard one is a 3.5 ton with a 25mm pin and 2 bolt hole fixing (as fitted to my disco), the other is the larger 5 ton with a 32mm pin and a 4 bolt hole fixing and required to accommodate the larger towing ring, i.e large plant trailers etc).

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Thanks discool, I didn't know that.

I'm surprised the lack of options out there and the price of them. If I could of bought one like my past post from NZ, I would have. As it is, I reckon I'll hire a trailer to collect as suggested earlier.

Then I'll convert the trailer as I don't wanted LR fixed option. I'd like a good LR detachable option but I found a really expensive bit of kit (that towsure link) or a comedy kit as below.

Actually the converter below may do the job but I don't trust the appearance. Has anyone tried it, reviews are reasonable with concerns.

Amazon product

Swampie said:

Would their heavy duty multi-height equipment allow for a ball and pin to be bolted on (even temporarily nodge if that ends up ugly)

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The heavy duty tow bar option hangs lower than the removable hook, so should be avoided ,unless it's absolutely necessary.

Swampie said:

Should I go for a fixed option or removable? I believe the fixed is multi-height.

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The ugly bar has 3 hole for hight adjustment IIRC .

Swampie said:

Yep, that was what worried me. It's low isn't it. My disco already catches the floor at my mum's drive as it's steep too.

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If it drags it's ass now, then it'll definitely snag with the HD bar setup.