NC500
Member Since: 18 Sep 2017
Location: On the NC500
Posts: 549
  
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| Ball hitch to Pintle converter |
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Hi all,
I want to tow an ex- military trailer that has a towing eye rather than a ball hitch. Is there commercially available a ball hitch to Pintle converter?
Thanks
Last edited by NC500 on 19th Apr 2021 4:55 pm. Edited 1 time in total
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 19th Apr 2021 8:55 am |
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NC500
Member Since: 18 Sep 2017
Location: On the NC500
Posts: 549
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Great, thanks! PMd Uncle Ray....
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| 19th Apr 2021 11:43 am |
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Iguana
Member Since: 14 Oct 2013
Location: 'Sunny' Zomerset
Posts: 9424
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Not sure Ray still does these?
I found an option on this a few years back but again not sure if it's still available - here's my post, bottom of page 15:
https://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic109681-210.html
 Iggy/Ieuan
Current LR =
2015 RR Sport Autobiography
&
1992 Land Rover Defender Camper
- Gone but not forgotten:
MY10 D4 GS
MY05 Disco 3 'S'
MY14 FL2 HSE manual in Blue
MY15 Disco 4 HSE Lux in Santorini Black
MY08 Disco 3 SE manual in Buck Blue
1960 Series 2 88" (No idea why I sold it!)
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| 19th Apr 2021 1:16 pm |
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NC500
Member Since: 18 Sep 2017
Location: On the NC500
Posts: 549
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Thanks for the comment and link - the link no longer works though...
I can’t believe there is no off the shelf solution to this!! So frustrating! I want to build an off road camper trailer on an ex Army trailer but they all have the NATO connector. Without the Pintle adapter I can’t use the army solution. To remove the original hitch and replace with a ball type will invalidate its VOSA type test and hence my insurance. Bummer!! 🙁
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| 19th Apr 2021 3:41 pm |
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NC500
Member Since: 18 Sep 2017
Location: On the NC500
Posts: 549
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Gotta love this forum - folk are so helpful!!
Unfortunately this type of fitting won’t work - it has to attach to the towing eye and locate in the housing for the detachable hitch. Also, as the NATO hitch is so high on the trailer chassis, the pintle has to be around 30cm above the ball height so that the trailer rake is not too steep.
Thanks for link though. I appreciate the help...
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| 19th Apr 2021 4:53 pm |
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aja4x4
Member Since: 14 Apr 2019
Location: Westbury
Posts: 2463
  
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Raising the towball height is a no no it alters the stress on the chassis. Could you not modifiy the trailer? Andrew
D3 2.7tdv6 2005
D4 3.0 SDV6 Commercial died and gone to LR heaven
D5 3.0 SDV6 HSE
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| 19th Apr 2021 5:03 pm |
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NC500
Member Since: 18 Sep 2017
Location: On the NC500
Posts: 549
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Modifying the trailer invalidates it’s VOSA certification....
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| 19th Apr 2021 5:39 pm |
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RogB
Member Since: 15 Jun 2018
Location: Mansfield
Posts: 1740
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you could always get rid of the Disco and get an ex military Defender  2011 D4 XS 305 MY12 - gone but not forgotten
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| 20th Apr 2021 6:26 am |
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NC500
Member Since: 18 Sep 2017
Location: On the NC500
Posts: 549
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🤣
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| 20th Apr 2021 6:30 am |
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aja4x4
Member Since: 14 Apr 2019
Location: Westbury
Posts: 2463
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NC500 wrote:Modifying the trailer invalidates it’s VOSA certification....
The Type approval is only valid when new, with trailers they are never checked again in the UK.
Raising the hitch above the permitted value on your Discovery will also invalidate your type approval it would possibly effect your MOT and insurance.as anything fitted to a vehicle after 1998 has to be type approved and things like your towbar are checked on the MOT Andrew
D3 2.7tdv6 2005
D4 3.0 SDV6 Commercial died and gone to LR heaven
D5 3.0 SDV6 HSE
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| 20th Apr 2021 7:06 am |
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NC500
Member Since: 18 Sep 2017
Location: On the NC500
Posts: 549
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Thanks Andrew. Having now read up on the current law I understand and agree. This essentially precludes towing an ex military trailer with anything other than a Defender (old type). This is a sh@t as standard ball hitch trailers do not have the ground clearance for off roading so I’m somewhat stumped.
I either knowingly break the law and tow something that meets my needs or I tow something that is legal but that will ground when I go off road.
May as well buy a Skoda Yeti and a caravan... 🤢
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| 20th Apr 2021 11:22 am |
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aja4x4
Member Since: 14 Apr 2019
Location: Westbury
Posts: 2463
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There used to be a Nato tow hitch for the Discovery 3 that used the same mounting points as the fixed towbar as well as the towing eye under the bumper flat. But I have not seen one in years. You could try Watling towbars they have made a number of towbars for me for special vehicles Andrew
D3 2.7tdv6 2005
D4 3.0 SDV6 Commercial died and gone to LR heaven
D5 3.0 SDV6 HSE
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| 20th Apr 2021 11:30 am |
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NC500
Member Since: 18 Sep 2017
Location: On the NC500
Posts: 549
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Thanks again Andrew - I ve just emailed them.
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| 20th Apr 2021 3:25 pm |
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