What type of towbar?

[7builder]

I have a Discovery 1 300 TDi with a 2" lift that I am looking to tow a caravan with. The existing tow ball sits at a height of 590mm and I have read that for my caravan (Lunar Delta 560-5 twin axle on 12" wheels) the tow ball should be about 350mm.
Because my caravan sits on 12" wheels the ride height is quite low and as such I have had problems with the rear bottoming out when getting on and off of ferries in the past. Because of this it is important that I don't end up with the nose of the caravan pointing skyward.
Does anyone know of a tow bar that will drop the height by a huge 240mm?
Many thanks,
Paul.

[listerdiesel]

Sounds like a job for a big bit of steel channel and a drilling machine.

Bear in mind type approval requirements for towbars which can catch you out if there are any problems.

If you just need a drop plate to go onto the existing towbar, check with the original maker and see if you can find the max drop you can apply and still stay within limits.

Where are you located?

Peter

[7builder]

Thanks for the reply Peter. I will have to make some phone calls in the morning.
I'm in Bristol.

[ahebron]

Hi Paul
I believe Landrover used to offer a drop plate for factory towbars but I do not think it would drop far enough. Could you also change the wheels to larger size to lift the caravan?

Adrian

[listerdiesel]

We have some heavy channel and a big enough floor drill to do the job, let me know if you get stuck, we can always knock something up.

Peter

[7builder]

Hi Adrian,

I made some calls today about increasing the wheel size on my caravan but have been told it is not possible so I need to drop the tow ball height. I have been told by Lunar Caravans that the ball height should be 16" or approx 405mm. I see that Dixon-Bate do an adjustable height towbar that should do the job, it just means I will end up with a huge plough on the back of my Disco. :(

[7builder]

Peter, many thanks for the kind offer.
I will probably end up getting a Dixon-Bate towbar and possibly get back to you if I still need to get lower.
All the best,

Paul

[thebiglad]

I have a Dixon-Bate adjustable towbar on my "new" TD5 and I reckon it's brill !!

We have two different trailers plus a caravan and it adjust so that all of them ride level. Not cheap, but very good.

Cheers
Dave

[7builder]

file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Paul/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.jpgDave,
I thought Dixon Bate were expensive but having called their sales office this morning to get the correct product number for my Disco (202022) I have found a number of suppliers selling them for about £86+vat. That seems really cheap so I was wondering if I had the right product. I called Dixon Bate back and they sent me a PDF of the fitting instructions just to be sure and it does seem to be the correct tow bar.

http://www.dbate.co.uk/html/body_land_rover.htm

http://www.paddockspares.com/pp/DISCOVERY_1/Towing/Dixon_Bate_Adjustable_Drop_Plate_Kit.html

I'm not missing something obvious here am I? as the last 4x4 tow bar I bought was for a Ford Explorer and that cost £350, even a Mondeo tow bar cost over £150.

[listerdiesel]

You're only buying the adjustable bit, not the whole towbar, so it would be a lot cheaper.

Let me know if you need to get even lower! ;)

Peter

[thebiglad]

file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Paul/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.jpgDave,
I thought Dixon Bate were expensive but having called their sales office this morning to get the correct product number for my Disco (202022) I have found a number of suppliers selling them for about £86+vat. That seems really cheap so I was wondering if I had the right product. I called Dixon Bate back and they sent me a PDF of the fitting instructions just to be sure and it does seem to be the correct tow bar.

http://www.dbate.co.uk/html/body_land_rover.htm

http://www.paddockspares.com/pp/DISCOVERY_1/Towing/Dixon_Bate_Adjustable_Drop_Plate_Kit.html

I'm not missing something obvious here am I? as the last 4x4 tow bar I bought was for a Ford Explorer and that cost £350, even a Mondeo tow bar cost over £150.


I've just had a look and that does seem to be remarkably cheap and it's the real thing ( the only element not included is the towball itself).

Bear in mind that the real DB towball is another £45+vat !! But that's rated at 3500kgs so it's the real McCoy.

[7builder]

Hi Biglad, the fact that the tow ball isn't included is fine as my caravan has an Alko anti-sway hitch fitted so requires an Alko tow ball to give the correct clearances.
Peter, I thought the same as you originally about only getting the adjustable bit which is why I went back to Dixon Bate to confirm. Apparently that is everything required except the tow ball, as the fitting instructions they emailed me illustrated. It's payday soon so I will go ahead and order one, fit it then see if I need to take you up on your kind offer to get even lower.

Paul