Towbar Question

suew · Jun 19, 2012

Hi again

My new landie has a height adjustabe tow bar. You just remove the split pin, pull out the bolt, move it higher or lower and put the bolt back.

Never had one of these before and I'm not very happy with it. I have asked at the garage and they say its fine.

Thing is, it moves, you can get hold of the tow ball and move it around, due to the bolt not being a tight fit.

All of the other ones I have had have been secured by several bolts, tightened up and no movement. You could adjust them but had to move several bolts to do it.

Are these things really safe. My trailer is rated up to 2.7 tonnes and that seems a lot on one bolt, even though its large.

Bump · Jun 19, 2012

The tow bar should have a rating stamp on it detailing the safe towing you can do with it, I'd look at that as your first point of call.

I have seen what you have about, but, I can also understand your concern, is there anything else securing the tow bar? I.e. if you removed the pin would it pull straight off backwards or do you need to slide it off the bottom? wondering if the pin is to hold it in position, but, not load bearing?

ricc · Jun 19, 2012

piccy would help

Richard Martin · Jun 19, 2012

ricc said:
piccy would help

Of Suew or the tow bar?

Grit Valve · Jun 19, 2012

Sounds like a Dickson bait type it is normal for movement as for your trailer at 2.7 ton it's more than capable

suew · Jun 19, 2012

Bump said:
The tow bar should have a rating stamp on it detailing the safe towing you can do with it, I'd look at that as your first point of call.

I have seen what you have about, but, I can also understand your concern, is there anything else securing the tow bar? I.e. if you removed the pin would it pull straight off backwards or do you need to slide it off the bottom? wondering if the pin is to hold it in position, but, not load bearing?

No nothing securing the bolt other than the split pin. However if the pin came out the bolt wouldn't just fall out as it goes in side to side, would probably vibrate out. If the bolt came out the tow ball would come off. Have visions of kids doing it for fun. I would check it before I set off, I check everything but you never know. The bolt will take the whole weight although its probably more a bar than a bolt

Spunka · Jun 19, 2012

MAKE SURE THE BIG PIN ISN'T WORN (AND ITS THE RIGHT PIN) THE LITTLE PIN HAS TO BE CORRECT FOR THE JOB,
SEND PIC
OF TOW HITCH
OF YOU
OF YOU AND TOW HITCH
:dance:

suew · Jun 19, 2012

LOL you wouldn't want a pic of me, daughter perhaps

Its this sort of thing with a tow ball bolted to it with two bolts.

As you can see because it is held on only one bar it will move and looks too easy for someone to mess around with.

Mine is not exactly the same, I will get a pic, it only has split pin at one end, the other is solid metal to stop it pulling through.

LAND ROVER DEFENDER 90 TDCi ADJUSTABLE MULTI HEIGHT TOW BAR 2007 ON * | eBay

Paul D · Jun 19, 2012

suew said:
LOL you wouldn't want a pic of me, daughter perhaps
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayIS...8215&item=250971672099&lgeo=1&vectorid=229508

I think we can be the judges of that, thankyouverymuch ..

:behindsofa:

Bump · Jun 19, 2012

Does your trailer have an emergency break cable which you attach to a fixed part of the land rover? That would make it more comforting to tow at least.

Pic's of daughters are acceptable assuming daughter is 16 or over

suew · Jun 19, 2012

Bump said:
Does your trailer have an emergency break cable which you attach to a fixed part of the land rover? That would make it more comforting to tow at least.

Pic's of daughters are acceptable assuming daughter is 16 or over

Yes it does, its a nearly new Ifor 510, dont think the horses would be too impressed if it came off and jerked the emergency brake on though.

Yes daughter is over 16, will have to ask permission first

martin1512 · Jun 19, 2012

I have a similar type tow hitch, but mine has 2 horizontal pins holding the sliding part onto the back plate. Like yours, mine also has a fair ammount of play between the 2 parts, but I have regularly towed up to 3.5 tons without any problems.

ricc · Jun 19, 2012

for a pin through holes like that to fail it would have to shear both ends at once.... it aint going to happen with the loads imposed by a horse box.
as a guide one of these
MASSEY FERGUSON TRACTOR DRAWBAR HITCH PIN 3/4"x 6.3/16" | eBay

would be used to attach a trailer , maybe 6 ton, to a tractor, ive bent a few in sloppy tractor drawbars but never sheared one off where the parts fit together tightly,

coachman54 · Jun 19, 2012

I had the same type on my 300 and wasn't happy about the movement so i fitted a second pin lower down

gas · Jun 19, 2012

the clunking is normal there strong

might scares hosses a bit tho

you can get a drop plate from about £7 from high street stores and do away with that set up

send it to me id luv one

might need a stonger drop plate wi hosses tho

suew · Jun 19, 2012

Thanks, I'm glad its not just me that is a bit worried about them. I'm sure it would probably be alright but I'm not sure whether I would ever really feel confident with it.

Will I have to change the whole thing, for can I find a different way to bolt the tow ball to the hitch.

Pikey · Jun 19, 2012

it's fine farmers have been using them almost since landrovers were built.. Think if it like this. If a rope can pull a 2tonne landy out of mud upto it's axles and not snap. what chance do you have of snapping a steel rod, whilst towing a trailer on a road??

Towbar Question

suew

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Bump

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ricc

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Richard Martin

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Grit Valve

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suew

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Spunka

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suew

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Paul D

Old, nackered 'n broke, but the Landy is fine . :)

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ricc

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