Receiver Hitch for Defender?

[Ben]

Has anyone got one of these?

I've seen them for Disco (on Discoparts), but I was wondering whether one was an option for a Defender. I'd prefer one to a Dixon Bate adjustable, although that's the fallback position.

Also - how much?

I'm still wavering between a Defender and a Disco II - the boss would prefer the Defender...

Cheers

Ben

[Porny]

Yep....

http://www.safari-equip.co.uk do one (they make them for ScapIron)

£150 + postage last time I asked.


Ian

[Ben]

Thanks Ian

Just off to a 4x4 place near me to look at a couple of CSW's!

Cheers

Ben

[Bush Tucker Man]

I believe you can order the Australian 'receiver hitch' through a main egent if you're prepared to wait for it to arrive (but, as for British Standards/EU/CE compatability :-k )

Ben if you're getting a Td5, also consider the SouthDown, as it's combined with a tank-guard (rear tank on a 90 Td5)

[Porny]

I believe you can order the Australian 'receiver hitch' through a main egent if you're prepared to wait for it to arrive (but, as for British Standards/EU/CE compatability :-k )

Ben if you're getting a Td5, also consider the SouthDown, as it's combined with a tank-guard (rear tank on a 90 Td5)

You can indeed.....

Another vote for the southdown stuff though, is very nice!!


By the way, good to see you back on here Ben...


Ian

[Ben]

By the way, good to see you back on here Ben...

Thanks Ian :D

Wavering over...

It's blue, it's a 90... Boss sounds happy (if you can sound happy on a text message!)

Hopefully picking it up next weekend, and then it will get the MUD treatment. I've got the DVLA form here somewhere to enable me to retain the old number plate 8)

Photo's on my webshots ("The Replacement" album) - or just click the thumbnail below...

I had a quick look at Southdown, but they're only showing the 110 TD5 combined tank guard and hitch. Looks a really nice piece of kit! I've never had a rear fuel tank before on a 90! I'll give them a call once it's here.

Cheers

Ben

[Ben]

Got an email from Southdown...

Their detachable doesn't suit a 90 - only a 110. So, back to square 1. Well, maybe safari-equip will help - sent them an email as well.

Might have to (shock horror) have a landy without a tow hitch!

Cheers

Ben

[Bush Tucker Man]

Looking good Ben, it's nothing that a respray won't solve :lol:

[Bush Tucker Man]

Hey Ben!!!


Looked at the rear view :lol:

Looks a very familiar setting, bit like this garage really


(did I suggest going there to you,can't remember??)

[Ben]

Yup - that'll be Silkstone 4x4...

You may have suggested it, I can't remember.

Seems a good little set up, and run well. I guess the proof will be in the pudding - hopefully collecting on Monday if the insurance company get me a quote by then!

Cheers

Ben

[Ben]

Just got a reply from Scrapiron about the hitch (went for the scattergun approach).

They say the receiver hitch for TD5 90 is currently being tested for type approval, and they'll email me whan it is completed.

I'm guessing if they get the approval, then so will Safari-Equip (as they make the unit). I've had a sensible quote which should come in at about £150 (or just over) including postage.

So, I'll hold off until I get one, but this is good news for anyone with a TD5 90...

Cheers

Ben

[Ben]

The plot thickens...

I've just been down to towsure (just at the bottom of the hill from me) to see what they would charge for putting a hitch on (I could do with one before the receiver hitch is available - I'll replace it when it is...). Done a bit of a further inspection, and I have a bit of a problem. One of the bottom most nuts on the face of the cross member has been knocked off its welds and through into the cross member itself, so they say I can't have a towbar. At least not from them.

The only option (apparently) is to drop the fuel tank, and drill an oversize hole though the rear of the cross member, big enough to pass the nut through on the end of a socket so that the bolt can be passed through to it from the other side . I've asked the opinion of quite a few people, and this is the least intrusive (advice ranged from cutting a section out of the cross member to replacing the whole thing!).

Anyone fancy doing this for me when the receiver bar is type approved?

Beer tokens in it for you!

There is another option, but the way that the receiver hitch appears to be mounted means that it probably wouldn't have enough strength.

Cheers

Ben

[Bush Tucker Man]

So you've got it then??

Start a thread on the 'Defender' forum & lets see some pictures please.

[Ben]

Yup - it's here!

Not had a chance to get out with the camera yet - too busy trying to sort out a product launch for next wednesday, and my wedding the following week!

I'll try to do some over the weekend. It's been undriveable for a few days due to not having a nsr indicator, but I've fixed that this morning. Maybe go out for a run on Sunday with Sarah and we'll see if we can get some shots in a nice location!

I've been on the phone a few times about riv nuts (that was the suggested alternative fitment for the tow bar), but no one seems to know about anyone that has a tool suitable for feeding in M16 riv-nuts! So, I'll need to drop the tank and drill through  :shock: Unless there's another way into that section of the cross member!

Cheers

Ben

[Bush Tucker Man]

and my wedding the following week!

Congratulations Ben :D
Photo of the happy couple as well please

I've been on the phone a few times about riv nuts (that was the suggested alternative fitment for the tow bar), but no one seems to know about anyone that has a tool suitable for feeding in M16 riv-nuts! So, I'll need to drop the tank and drill through  :shock: Unless there's another way into that section of the cross member!

Cheers

Ben

The only point I can think of, is the possible clearance between tank & rear of the cross-member.
I had a feel around on mine as I was going to fit the 'Towing Loop', but even with the tank dropped there didn't feel to be room for the bolt head & nut.

[Ben]

Congratulations Ben :D
Photo of the happy couple as well please

Why thank you  :lol: I'll see what I can do! I'll try to mix my subjects so that I get both of us, plus the Land Rover in as well!

The only point I can think of, is the possible clearance between tank & rear of the cross-member.
I had a feel around on mine as I was going to fit the 'Towing Loop', but even with the tank dropped there didn't feel to be room for the bolt head
& nut.

That did worry me, but I think I should be okay - the back end of a 90 is a bit different to a 110 (I hope!), so I should be okay. Not too keen on dropping the fuel tank, but should be okay as long as it's fairly empty!
The bolt and nut actually fit inside the cross member - therein lies the problem - so they shouldn't be in the way of the tank, as long as I can get a drill up behind it when the tank's on the floor!

Cheers

Ben

[Bush Tucker Man]

Be careful with the pipework for the in-tank fuel-pump/sender-unit.

When mine had a new pump the connectors leaked afterwards & needed a new section of pipework (& the tank relowering :roll: )

[Ben]

Hmm. Sounds like it's more trouble than it's worth. Perhpas I should just put one on the replacement for the vRS when I get round to swapping them round. It's only for taking stuff to the tip anyway! Well, either that or hire a pick up!

Thanks

Ben