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BuckBlu110



Member Since: 19 Apr 2014
Location: in the pub
Posts: 709

United Kingdom 1994 Defender 110 BMW M57 3.0 Diesel CSW Buckingham Blue
2” Receiver drop plate problem
Not long ago, I fitted a masai4x4 NAS rear step with a 2 inch receiver hitch. Good bit of kit, no more skinned shins when loading stuff in the back, however, I will at some point want to tow my Sankey with it, so I purchased a terrafirma drop plate.
The problem is that the hole for the retaining pin doesn’t line up with the one on the step. with the drop plate fully pushed in, the hole on the plate is about 20mm further forward than the one on the step.
As indicated by the red circle:


My question is, would it be safe to just drill new holes for the pin to go in or would I be risking the integrity of the thing by having too many holes in it?
Thanks
Post #863877 27th Oct 2020 7:10pm
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 3995

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
Personally, I think it would be fine as long as you’ve got about 1 holes diameter worth of metal between the 2 holes. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #863880 27th Oct 2020 7:28pm
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Avelingporter



Member Since: 25 Jan 2016
Location: Southampton
Posts: 397

United Kingdom 2016 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Corris Grey
Not a direct reply to your question. However I also tow my Sankey with a drop plate. But I use it the same way up ( or upside down if you like) as your photo, so it raises the nato hitch to the correct mid crossmember height. It works well, just a slight fiddle to open the nato hitch under the spare wheel, but you do get used to it.
Post #863881 27th Oct 2020 7:36pm
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BuckBlu110



Member Since: 19 Apr 2014
Location: in the pub
Posts: 709

United Kingdom 1994 Defender 110 BMW M57 3.0 Diesel CSW Buckingham Blue
That’s how I wanted to use it, that way it almost sits at the same height as if it was mounted on the crossmember.
Unfortunately, once drilled, I’m not sure if there will be that much material between them Sad
I’ll have to have a proper measure up in the morning when I’ve got some decent light.
Post #863888 27th Oct 2020 7:55pm
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v8bob



Member Since: 14 Mar 2018
Location: Midlands
Posts: 304

United Kingdom 1998 Defender 90 300 Tdi HT Nato Green
If you have enough space between your receiver and drop plate, then I would cut the end off to make it go in further.
It is better to support the drop plate as close as possible to the receiver.
Depending on what is preventing the full insertion, could mean you can just cut some of the excess off.
Post #863898 27th Oct 2020 8:40pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7681

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
When you say fully pushed is that limited by the vertical plate or the length of square tube? If latter cut off 20mm from tube., if former then drill another hole. If space between hole centres is deemed too short weld up first hole but I doubt in reality it will be a problem. Cheers

James
110 XS Utility
130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making)
90 Puma Hardtop
Post #863901 27th Oct 2020 8:50pm
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BuckBlu110



Member Since: 19 Apr 2014
Location: in the pub
Posts: 709

United Kingdom 1994 Defender 110 BMW M57 3.0 Diesel CSW Buckingham Blue
It’s limited by the welded support at the back on the plate.
This:

Of which I’d rather not mess with if it’s structural.
Hopefully if I’ve got enough material for a new set of holes.


Last edited by BuckBlu110 on 27th Oct 2020 9:24pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #863910 27th Oct 2020 9:19pm
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bear100



Member Since: 22 Mar 2010
Location: South Wales
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Wales 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black
Had the same issue with mine, I took an angle grinder to the bit that strikes the receiver which is a negligible amount and won’t cause any issues.
But looking at yours you have a slightly different brace 2016 Range Rover Autobiography 4.4 TDV8
2010 110 XS Utility 2.4TDCI
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Post #863911 27th Oct 2020 9:21pm
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BuckBlu110



Member Since: 19 Apr 2014
Location: in the pub
Posts: 709

United Kingdom 1994 Defender 110 BMW M57 3.0 Diesel CSW Buckingham Blue
Apologies for the pants photo, but I’ve marked roughly where the hole on the receiver lines up with the drop plate. This is with the plate tight up against the step.


Click image to enlarge


So if drilling is an acceptable method, could I drill the hole further away from the plate so there is more material between the holes? but this would mean it would make the plate further away from the step.
Or would it be better to drill where the mark is and keep the drop plate close as possible and weld up the old hole as JST suggests?
In reality there’s probably only 15-20mm difference between each method.
Thanks for the input so far.
Post #863934 27th Oct 2020 10:34pm
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
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United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
I would say drilling it in the fully home position is too close the original hole. There may be a risk the pin could break through under a heavy load. It might be fine, but it just looks too close for comfort to me. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #863940 27th Oct 2020 11:03pm
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LandRoverAnorak



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
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United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Orkney Grey
Definitely pull the drop plate out a bit so that you've got a decent amount of material between the holes. Being 20mm or so further out won't make any difference to the plate. Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Post #863944 27th Oct 2020 11:17pm
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
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United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
There's no risk of the pin "breaking through" because the plate can't be pushed further into the receiver.

If all you're towing is a Sankey/Penman drilling the second hole should be fine.
Post #863947 27th Oct 2020 11:23pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7681

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
as Blackwolf says pulling the trailer it still has all that material to the front of it. the trailer pushing the vehicle - it cant go any further in if its tight against the reinforcing bit anyway.

reality is it could be a slotted hole and i doubt it would fail, it would be awful to drive with and not a good idea as you would have the 30mm movement every time you brake or pull away but the point i am making is it wouln't break

if it was mine, i would weld up the first hole, sheet ali behind and plug each hole, then drill the front hole with it tight up together. Cheers

James
110 XS Utility
130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making)
90 Puma Hardtop
Post #863981 28th Oct 2020 9:13am
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BuckBlu110



Member Since: 19 Apr 2014
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United Kingdom 1994 Defender 110 BMW M57 3.0 Diesel CSW Buckingham Blue
Thanks for the input everyone. I’m probably coming across a bit pedantic, but I’ve seen the results of a towing accident and have no intentions of being involved in one. In 15+ years of towing, I haven’t personally had an incident, so I must be doing something right.
As I said, it’ll only be my Sankey that I’ll tow with this, my td5 does all the hard work with horse/stock boxes and flatbeds these days, so a relatively easy load by comparison.
Post #863989 28th Oct 2020 10:03am
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 16856

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
I'm pretty sure that Safari-Equip would make you one either without a hole at all, for you to drill your own, or with a hole in a position you specify.

They did a fine job on a custom one for my front receiver, to my particular dimensions to clear the front winch.
Post #864000 28th Oct 2020 11:16am
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