Member Since: 29 Jul 2011
Location: Ruralshire
Posts: 593
Tow Ball Height
I had my removeable tow hitch replaced with a fixed one under the LR service action, and the dealership said that they had fitted it to the same height as the removeable.
However, when I tow the tintent now it seems to be ever so slightly nose up, whereas previously it was slightly nose down, which is the recommended setup. Anyway, it didn't seem to make any difference when towing other than I can now see the reflection of the car's stop lights reflected from the caravan front window.
Last time towing I noticed that I had lost one of the plastic feet from a rear steady on the caravan and I'm wondering if it grounded on a speed hump or similiar. So I decided to take measurements and the centre of the towball is 450mm from the ground with the car on level tarmac with the engine running. I believe the regulation stipulates a range of 350 to 420mm to the centre of the ball (EC Directive 94/20/EC).
https://caravanchronicles.com/guides/under...ll-height/
From these instructions it would seem that if I want to set the towball at 400mm I don't actually need to have the drop plate attached, just bolt straight to the tow hitch lower holes.
Couple of questions:
1. Would I need to get shorter bolts if I dispensed with the drop plate ?
2. Can anyone tell me the height of the towball on the removeable hitch ?
I've attached a poor quality photo of my hitch as is.
Member Since: 13 Jun 2014
Location: south wales
Posts: 3169
Just been removing a broken key from removable so off to locksmiths to see if i can get new keys cut the height from the roadway to the top of ball is 420mm and i think on yours its not a drop plate but part of the fixing bracket which is adjustable but you cant remove it i think but some will be along soon and either confirm that or not Discovery 3 se gone
Range rover sport supercharged here:)
26th Jul 2016 3:22 pm
BorisBarKeep
Member Since: 13 Dec 2012
Location: Northants
Posts: 93
Wow now I'm confused!
Also just moved to multi-height one from detachable and I was under the impression that you could only use the top (500mm) or bottom (350mm) holes and not the middle ones?
We tow currently on bottom one - and it tows slightly nose down
26th Jul 2016 3:49 pm
BorisBarKeep
Member Since: 13 Dec 2012
Location: Northants
Posts: 93
Oh removable hitch was set at 420mm I believe
The EU regulations don't apply to 4*4 I believe
I was assuming that if hitch is at 350mm at bottom and 500mm at top the middle would have to be 425mm
26th Jul 2016 3:54 pm
D4mation
Member Since: 29 Jul 2011
Location: Ruralshire
Posts: 593
geoffsnook wrote:
Just been removing a broken key from removable so off to locksmiths to see if i can get new keys cut the height from the roadway to the top of ball is 420mm and i think on yours its not a drop plate but part of the fixing bracket which is adjustable but you cant remove it i think but some will be along soon and either confirm that or not
Thanks for that. Within tape measure tolerances 420mm to top of ball would be 400mm to centre of ball (ball is 50mm).MY12 D4 HSE Ipanema Sand
26th Jul 2016 3:55 pm
D4mation
Member Since: 29 Jul 2011
Location: Ruralshire
Posts: 593
BorisBarKeep wrote:
Wow now I'm confused!
Also just moved to multi-height one from detachable and I was under the impression that you could only use the top (500mm) or bottom (350mm) holes and not the middle ones?
We tow currently on bottom one - and it tows slightly nose down
I did come across your video when searching and couldn't make out exactly how your ball was attached. If the drop plate has been attached by the dealership as in my photo then the bottom holes will be at 400mm which is where I believe mine needs to be.
MY12 D4 HSE Ipanema Sand
26th Jul 2016 4:01 pm
BorisBarKeep
Member Since: 13 Dec 2012
Location: Northants
Posts: 93
Will take pics when I get home and post them
26th Jul 2016 4:03 pm
geoffsnook
Member Since: 13 Jun 2014
Location: south wales
Posts: 3169
Don't forget the disco is always levelling it self I tow a twin as well but that in my eyes is level and gives me no problems Discovery 3 se gone
Range rover sport supercharged here:)
26th Jul 2016 4:13 pm
JackNorris
Member Since: 06 Jul 2012
Location: Beds/Bucks Border
Posts: 1877
I have mine mounted like so by Land Rover, the additonal plate is pretty hefty as well to be carrying about. Tintent tows straight.
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26th Jul 2016 4:40 pm
L319
Member Since: 14 Dec 2013
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 2080
I was just going to post, take the bottom fixing out of the plate & put the ball in that position or take the plate out all together and bolt straight to the hitch. The fixing bolts with the ball are still suitable, or are on my D3. The hitch Type approval EU regs. apply to all M1 class vehicles (Cars) , which D3/4 are. Many Defenders were NI (Goods) and the type approval does not apply at moment.
26th Jul 2016 4:50 pm
DaveS
Member Since: 15 Aug 2009
Location: Weybridge
Posts: 241
BorisBarKeep wrote:
Oh removable hitch was set at 420mm I believe
The EU regulations don't apply to 4*4 I believe
I was assuming that if hitch is at 350mm at bottom and 500mm at top the middle would have to be 425mm
The hitch can be fitted at four heights, 350, 400, 450 and 500 mm. The bracket has two pairs of holes at 400 and 450 mm. The drop plate has three pairs of holes and can be used to raise or lower the hitch giving 350 and 500.
26th Jul 2016 5:09 pm
BorisBarKeep
Member Since: 13 Dec 2012
Location: Northants
Posts: 93
Ahhh it all becomes clear!
Below is picture of current setup, from this I'd just have to remove plate and put on lower holes to get 400mm? If that's case may well do that as I think is slightly too low on current one.
26th Jul 2016 5:56 pm
D4mation
Member Since: 29 Jul 2011
Location: Ruralshire
Posts: 593
Yes Boris - your drop plate is fitted in it's lowest position and the bottom pair of holes is for 350mm ball height, which is probably too low.
The picture in the JackNorris post with the drop plate removed shows the ball fitted at the 400mm height. I think I'm going to copy that arrangement.
Trouble is I'm not going to be towing again till end of August when I'm dragging the shed round France for 6 weeks, so I just hope it's the right height
Edit: Just discovered my torque wrench only goes to 210 Nm and the bolts need 240 Nm. My son may have a better one. I hope.MY12 D4 HSE Ipanema Sand
Last edited by D4mation on 26th Jul 2016 6:36 pm. Edited 1 time in total
26th Jul 2016 6:17 pm
BorisBarKeep
Member Since: 13 Dec 2012
Location: Northants
Posts: 93
Boy do I feel stupid
Ok so that's a weekend job for me, although may just call in and ask them to adjust
Thank you all
26th Jul 2016 6:28 pm
RDR
Member Since: 24 Mar 2013
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 2260
When your torquing up to 240Nm make sure you use a good Allen bit, those Allen bolts are really soft and its easy to slip and mess the hex up when your swinging on them !
also use a spanner through the hole in the drop plate to stop the bolt spinning but watch it doesn't jam tight MY06 S - Gone but not forgotten
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