Twin step fun and games

After two days of trying to remove the tow bar bolts to fit a step (bolts were so rusted), it turns out the step doesn’t fit properly as the metal rings either side of the towing plate get in the way!

I am trying to find a drop plate as simple as possible to fit it but to but struggling to find one that is simple and fits a 90.
This is my towing plate currently.

What style of step are you trying to fit?

This one https://www.johncraddockltd.co.uk/gts001-twin-tow-step-in-black.html

new to all this said:

This one https://www.johncraddockltd.co.uk/gts001-twin-tow-step-in-black.html

Click to expand...

Ok. Get a Dixon bate drop system.
You may even be able to get one that bolts to your existing system.

oh just a thought…. Them metal rings are behind the face plate, so unsure why the steps don’t fit….unless you are fitting them the wrong way round

Hicap phill said:

Ok. Get a Dixon bate drop system.
You may even be able to get one that bolts to your existing system.

oh just a thought…. Them metal rings are behind the face plate, so unsure why the steps don’t fit….unless you are fitting them the wrong way round

Click to expand...

Thanks. They look behind but actually are to the side and front of the tow plate. It it was the wrong way around the step would be under the cross member!

new to all this said:

Thanks. They look behind but actually are to the side and front of the tow plate. It it was the wrong way around the step would be under the cross member!

Click to expand...

Just checking

another idea is a spacer block then step then tow ball?

Hicap phill said:

Just checking

another idea is a spacer block then step then tow ball?

Click to expand...

Hadn’t thought of that although haven’t seen one.

new to all this said:

Hadn’t thought of that although haven’t seen one.

Click to expand...

just searched tow ball spacer

What holes are you using?
Use the third 1 from bottom should clear the safety chain links, or just cut them off.

J

marjon said:

What holes are you using?
Use the third 1 from bottom should clear the safety chain links, or just cut them off.

J

Click to expand...

Cut them off what you going to attach the trailer braking system to?
(Im trying to last 1 month without mentioning any abrasive tools)

Hicap phill said:

Cut them off what you going to attach the trailer braking system to?
(Im trying to last 1 month without mentioning any abrasive tools)

Click to expand...

If you can’t fix a chain to somewhere on all that metal.

I seen smart people wrap it round the tow ball.

J

marjon said:

What holes are you using?
Use the third 1 from bottom should clear the safety chain links, or just cut them off.

J

Click to expand...

Thanks. I’m putting in to the bottom ones as the o r up abuts a lip on the rear which means the nut isn’t flush.

new to all this said:

Thanks. I’m putting in to the bottom ones as the o r up abuts a lip on the rear which means the nut isn’t flush.

Click to expand...

I am sure it is auto correct but I cannot even work out what it was supposed to say! I also use the hole one up form the bottom for my towabll and step and have fount the height to be fine for towing, I have not struggles with ball height. It means the step clears the eyes, and also means you can bend the steps in a little so they do not stick out as far protecting them from posts, tress etc that they usually get caught on when carelessly reversing. I would also recommend sticking some grip tape on the step bars, it makes far more difference than you would think!

Apologies for the typos!

Holes at the top can’t be used as there is a lip of the panel behind which stops the nuts sitting flush.

I might be able to move it all up one but I have very big off road tyres on so the level might be affected by a further lift.

I have a spacer (£13 on eBay) coming tomorrow so I will see how that looks.

I know what you mean about the step and reversing but will see how I get on. I thought I might need some grip eventually as it will just be painted metal under foot.

I may go for a folding step eventually but I don’t like the look for them.

new to all this said:

Apologies for the typos!

Holes at the top can’t be used as there is a lip of the panel behind which stops the nuts sitting flush.

I might be able to move it all up one but I have very big off road tyres on so the level might be affected by a further lift.

I have a spacer (£13 on eBay) coming tomorrow so I will see how that looks.

I know what you mean about the step and reversing but will see how I get on. I thought I might need some grip eventually as it will just be painted metal under foot.

I may go for a folding step eventually but I don’t like the look for them.

Click to expand...

Not sure what sort of trailer you are considering towing?

But a heavy trailer is going to put a lot of load on a spaced back tow ball.
And "very big off road tyres" may not give a pleasant experience when towing a full weight trailer, and sometimes make it impossible to get the towball low enough to keep a twin axle trailer level, with both axles taking equal weight.

A little single axle will probably be fine, unless the towball is so high that the back of the trailer drags along the road.

I double checked this morning and the rings also get in the way of the step lining up properly with the set of holes one up that you suggest.

spacer arrived today so I will give that a go. For now my priorities are to get in the back rather than towing anything immediately.

very grateful to everyone as there were many things raised to consider.

new to all this said:

I double checked this morning and the rings also get in the way of the step lining up properly with the set of holes one up that you suggest.

spacer arrived today so I will give that a go. For now my priorities are to get in the back rather than towing anything immediately.

very grateful to everyone as there were many things raised to consider.

Click to expand...

If they get in the way of using the hole above could you not notch out the step a little to avoid then and must only be a little on the edge that is getting in the way.

dag019 said:

If they get in the way of using the hole above could you not notch out the step a little to avoid then and must only be a little on the edge that is getting in the way.

Click to expand...

Yes thought that but the spot it hits is the weld joint on the step.

new to all this said:

Yes thought that but the spot it hits is the weld joint on the step.

Click to expand...

Not much help at this point but sounds like you need a different step! Mine bolted right up.