 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Towing drop plate |
 
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| Laurie Member Since: 22 Feb 2008 Location: Sussex, England Posts: 2897   
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As long as the plate's 16mm+ thick, it should be OK.
The 'pull' is in line with the top bolts. |
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10th Jan 2012 11:59am |
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| abomb1969 Member Since: 23 Jul 2011 Location: Welwyn, Hertfordshire Posts: 79  
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Thanks Laurie its 11mm thick.
Interesting info Important Information It is illegal to alter the height of the towball on passenger carrying vehicles after 1998 ('S' reg). This plate should under no circumstances be used to raise the towball height. (if in doubt please contact us for advice) |
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10th Jan 2012 12:04pm |
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| Laurie Member Since: 22 Feb 2008 Location: Sussex, England Posts: 2897
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Using a plate to raise the height would definitely be dangerous. You only have to look at the strain angles.
At 11mm, I wouldn't trust it to tow anything heavy. |
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10th Jan 2012 12:50pm |
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| abomb1969 Member Since: 23 Jul 2011 Location: Welwyn, Hertfordshire Posts: 79
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Ok good advice I will pick up a new one.
Cheers |
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10th Jan 2012 1:17pm |
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| WarPig Member Since: 05 Dec 2009 Location: Sheffield Posts: 1748 
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When towing with my 110 300tdi, my adjustable towbar is also too high. Ive just ordered one of these drop plates from Towsure...
http://www.towsure.com/product/6_Hole_Drop_Plate_3_or_5_Inch_Drop I havent received it yet and the website doesnt specify its thickness, but Ill let you know how I go on. |
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10th Jan 2012 10:40pm |
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| XS Pete Member Since: 13 Jan 2011 Location: Suffolk Posts: 632 
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I've got one of those Towsure ones on mine. It's like the one in the pic above, but a bit longer and with six holes in so that you can drop the ball either 3" or 5". I'd estimate it's probably only 10~12mm thick plate, and it came in a plain galvanised finish, which I sprayed black. I've probably towed nothing heavier than about 1~1.5t since I've had it one but had no problems so far.
Pete[/img] |
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10th Jan 2012 11:49pm |
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| WarPig Member Since: 05 Dec 2009 Location: Sheffield Posts: 1748
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Thanks Pete, its good to know you are happy with that drop plate. Ive just bought a new caravan which weighs approx 1200kg, and has a maximum loaded weight of approx 1400kg. Hopefully the drop plate will be suitable for my load.
And if mine comes galvanised than it will suit my tow bar perfectly..  Click image to enlarge Im not sure if I need to change all my suspension springs as even though Ive now fitted the tow bar in the lowest possible position, my caravan is still nose high?? Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated  |
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11th Jan 2012 1:50pm |
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| Zagato Site Supporter Member Since: 08 Jan 2011 Location: Billingshurst West Sussex Posts: 5026
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"my caravan nose height is still too high"
I have always found this on Series/Defenders  Not much but enough for it not to be level which can cause problems.
Following a camp site owner onto a caravan pitch over uneven ground the pipes and electrics were ripped off the underside when the rear of the caravan bottomed out. The camp site owner initially said that's the trouble with Defenders the tow bar is always too high, it not by responsibility Sir! He gave me the new bits free of charge in the end so I could repair the damage 
Worse problems arise when you have a twin axle but Lorrymans caravan set up is level and my boat trailer is the same  Must be differing heights of couplings My little trailer is a bit too high at the front but it doesn't matter! |
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11th Jan 2012 2:14pm |
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| Zagato Site Supporter Member Since: 08 Jan 2011 Location: Billingshurst West Sussex Posts: 5026
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Better than having it to low I suppose
Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated |
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11th Jan 2012 6:13pm |
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| fekete Member Since: 24 Dec 2008 Location: Here on the other end of the computer Posts: 3626 
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I also use one on my landy and tow the max everyday without issue...the only time i've ever bent one was offroading
Click image to enlarge Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated NEVER TAKE LIFE SERIOUSLY. NOBODY GETS OUT ALIVE ANYWAY |
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11th Jan 2012 6:43pm |
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| TJ101 Member Since: 30 May 2007 Location: Taunton Somerset Posts: 3752  
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Been here before Karl
 California F1, 75th 110 "Kermit", 50th Ann V8, 90 V8 Hybrid, 55 Series 1
Main Brian James Trailer Dealer for South West UK |
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11th Jan 2012 6:45pm |
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| Zagato Site Supporter Member Since: 08 Jan 2011 Location: Billingshurst West Sussex Posts: 5026
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Series drop plates are substantial with the edges having a 90% angle for extra strength.
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11th Jan 2012 6:56pm |
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| WarPig Member Since: 05 Dec 2009 Location: Sheffield Posts: 1748
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Thanks Zag.
When i had my 300tdi rebuilt I had new springs fitted. IIRC I ordered the springs suitable for Defenders without the self leveling device (as I was having it removed). I wonder if I had ordered springs suitable for the self leveling device then my Defender would sit lower? I noticed when I got into it the first time after its rebuild (with new springs) it was sitting much higher than previously. But I put this down to the old springs being worn? |
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11th Jan 2012 7:54pm |
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| Zinke Member Since: 27 Jan 2009 Location: Scunthorpe Posts: 670 
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Sounds like a good solution as the holes will line up and its rated to tow 3.5ton. |
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11th Jan 2012 7:54pm |
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