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Fellrunner



Member Since: 28 Sep 2014
Location: Wandering
Posts: 255

 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Corris Grey
Hi Peter

It's difficult to explain how I got the Thule to work with the adapter attached, but I do recall that the locking handle wasn't fully up (in the open position) and I had to place it on slightly twisted to one side too.

That's in part why I ended up going down the Atera route with a longer tow ball extension from South Africa. It just takes the hassle out of it.

W
Post #436734 9th Jul 2015 5:49pm
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ppad



Member Since: 16 Nov 2012
Location: now, UK S Coast
Posts: 218

United Kingdom 2005 Defender 90 Td5 HT Caledonian Blue
Thanks
I have returned the Thule here in Switzerland as non functioning and will now source another.
Atera Strada looks good, if expensive.
Fellrunner, your Aterea Strada DL, plus extension, I'd like to know if it would fit my truck.
What is the distance from your door panel to the outside of the rear mounted wheel? What length extender did you use?
What I cannot see from their web site or your pics is the horizontal distance required from tow ball to bike carrier uprights (that would foul a rear wheel), also any vertical clearances for levers and locks etc?
I have a rear wheel carrier. (As it's real strong, I would be happy to mount the bike off the wheel, but the bike doesn't have horizontal crossbar to hang off, so it'll all get a bit fiddly).
Thanks - this is a real oddball subject Rolling Eyes - the bike shops here in Chur took one look at my set up and just said "Scheiße..." Sold the much modified 110 2.8, in Oz
Brought the 90 home from Switzerland ...
Post #436935 10th Jul 2015 3:08pm
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munch90



Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: guildford
Posts: 3558

England 
don't know anything about them , just thought maybe of help to someone

eBay item number:

eBay Item No. 371363328534
Post #437257 12th Jul 2015 4:06pm
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Solihull Boy



Member Since: 02 Oct 2012
Location: YORKSHIRE
Posts: 67

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
Towball extention
Hi everyone,

I've have a similar problem, re the position of the towball, but mine is causing difficulties when towing my caravan.

Put simply, my caravan, an Elddis, has a BPW chassis and the hitch mounted stabiliser handle fouls the spare wheel when hitching and un hitching. At the moment we are having to do both with the rear door held open, but it's only a matter of time before we do some damage. The issue I am concerned by is the fact that the caravan weighs almost 2000kg and these extensions must cause considerably extra loading on the securing bolts to the towing bracket.

Unfortunately I have had no success in finding the now obsolete STC 50036 Disco 2 swan neck tow ball as andy- doe has done as this seems the best solution. If I fitted a NAS step how far does this move the tow ball away from the rear crossmember? would some kind person be able to measure the horizontal distance please. The other option I'm cnsidering is a Dixon Bate adjustable hitch, as this would also increase the distance between crossmember and tow ball, and possibly using a spacer too

Any advice would be appreciated

Regards

Ged Retired from the day job and now self employed - what a life!!
Post #438755 18th Jul 2015 2:15pm
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munch90



Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: guildford
Posts: 3558

England 
Dixon bate adjustable will be better than nas as a nas step means ball will be to high

you can use both as some have , but not direct fitment as supports that come with the Dixon wont reach

you can get replacement handles for some hitch stabilisers , made for use with 4x4 with rear door tyre mounting like this

eBay item number:

eBay Item No. 161687511254

don't think this will fit a bpw hitch , but just to give you idea
Post #438761 18th Jul 2015 3:13pm
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ARC99



Member Since: 19 Feb 2013
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 1831

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Cairns Blue
Solihull Boy.

As luck would have it I have just taken some photo's for a friend to show my set up as I was having problems with and an Alco hitch getting jammed under the spare wheel.



Click image to enlarge



Click image to enlarge



Click image to enlarge



Click image to enlarge



Click image to enlarge
 Don't make old people mad.
We don't like being old in the first place,
so it doesn't take much to Censored us off.

Richard
Post #438773 18th Jul 2015 4:58pm
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Solihull Boy



Member Since: 02 Oct 2012
Location: YORKSHIRE
Posts: 67

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
Sorry for the slow reply, but have been away in Dorset for a couple of weeks and no internet down there.

Many thanks to munch90 and ARC99 for their replies and advice and photographs.

Much to my surprise, have managed to pick a STC 50036 up on fleabay, so fingers crossed, this should solve my problem, failing that it's back to the drawing board. Whilst in Dorset there was a 90 with a NAS rear step c/w a drop plate and spacer, and this also solved the owners same issue, as this combined arrangement pushed the tow ball roughly level with the outside edge of the spare wheel, and having the drop plate fitted, lowered the tow ball enough that the hitch didn't foul any more - just one more possible option.

Kind Regards

Ged Thumbs Up Retired from the day job and now self employed - what a life!!
Post #442787 3rd Aug 2015 3:20pm
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dioliahary



Member Since: 18 Jan 2015
Location: Manchester
Posts: 668

Scotland 
I got one which allows three bikes to be carried, it extends beyond the spare wheel which is mounted on the rear door and locates on the tow ball
Post #445557 12th Aug 2015 7:59pm
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Orchard



Member Since: 07 May 2015
Location: Usually walking the dog
Posts: 258

Hi all I have the same issue to solve with a Thule 929 euro classic, my solution is going to be a NAS step tow hitch with the 2" square receiver tube as you can get all manner of lengths of plug in hitch and ball at different heights, it will also remove when not using to avoid the shins.

I'll post a pic when done Smile 2015 90 XS SW Bowler
1998 TD5 CSW
Post #453510 8th Sep 2015 9:51pm
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DonH2000



Member Since: 12 Jan 2015
Location: North Kent
Posts: 551

United Kingdom 2009 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black


munch90 wrote:
don't know anything about them , just thought maybe of help to someone

eBay item number:

eBay Item No. 371363328534


Just called these guys and their product is expensive at £130 but heavy duty and most likely over-engineered, which is a good thing. You do need an adjustable drop plate tow pack for it to fit onto otherwise they have and adapter plate for £49, with padlock, to allow for it to attached to other types of tow packs.

I am not sure I can justify the £180 when the simple answer is to take off the spare wheel! Cheers Don.
Post #459291 30th Sep 2015 3:15pm
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THE DOCTOR



Member Since: 11 Jan 2015
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 31

United Kingdom 
I have one of these for sale brand new never used for £100 if anyone is interested save ya sen £30.00
Post #459303 30th Sep 2015 3:43pm
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DonH2000



Member Since: 12 Jan 2015
Location: North Kent
Posts: 551

United Kingdom 2009 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
Hi The Doctor, could be interested.

Is this over engineered as I suspect?

Why did you decided not to use it?

Cheers Cheers Don.
Post #459304 30th Sep 2015 3:51pm
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THE DOCTOR



Member Since: 11 Jan 2015
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 31

United Kingdom 
Over engineered by being 8mm plate yes. ITS HEAVY!
I could manufacture these for about £30 each no bother but its is finished off nice and is perfect for the job.
Only reason I never used is I adapted my thule to fit round the spare wheel by moving the hoop bar backwards and this then sits snugly against the wheel.
Post #459506 1st Oct 2015 10:39am
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DonH2000



Member Since: 12 Jan 2015
Location: North Kent
Posts: 551

United Kingdom 2009 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
Interesting. Which Thule rack do have? Do you have a picture of it fitted? Cheers Don.
Post #459509 1st Oct 2015 10:42am
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THE DOCTOR



Member Since: 11 Jan 2015
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 31

United Kingdom 
I will take one tonight.
It will only take one bike now though not the two
Post #459510 1st Oct 2015 10:43am
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