Terrano Tow Bar Dropping Plate

[Banshee]

I often see them on the Land Rovers but does anyone know if you can get them for the Terrano?

I have the Tow Ball that has 4 bolts, I'll try and put a pic up of current setup.

I need to get one to take my trailer test as my instructors trailers front axle is barely touching the floor

 

[Fez_uk]

No but you could easily get something made.

 

[Banshee]

Old picture I know but this is still the same towbar I'm using, crikey, that was back when it was on that stupid private plate

If I was still running this setup now then I wouldn't need the dropper :doh :sly

 

[Madmark]

Send me measurements of the bolt hole distances but as my drop plate has 6 holes on the bit you bolt to tow bar

 

[terranosaurusdoug]

Madmark has one of these mate, ebay number 281966249998

 

[terranosaurusdoug]

Send me measurements of the bolt hole distances but as my drop plate has 6 holes on the bit you bolt to tow bar

Ah there you are, was just talking about you :lol

 

[Madmark]

3.5" centres accross and 2" centres verticle

 

[Madmark]

Ah there you are, was just talking about you :lol

Thanks bud. Did you get one

 

[terranosaurusdoug]

Thanks bud. Did you get one

Not yet, I've bought a tow bar similar to yours that I can flip over like you, gonna test fit it and paint it then get one on

 

[Madmark]

Yeah cool turns out when mines flipped and drop plate as low as poss still ain't low enough so have to put tow bar back as normal doh!

 

[terranosaurusdoug]

Yeah cool turns out when mines flipped and drop plate as low as poss still ain't low enough so have to put tow bar back as normal doh!

:doh. I don't think my suspension will be as high as yours tho

 

[solarman216]

refit your standard wheels for the test and or throw in a few bags of sand as ballast, Rick

 

[johnb5177]

Very odd, this subject has cropped up in a previous thread. When I suggested a Dixon-Bate drop plate, someone inferred that they were not now legal.........:nenau

 

[Banshee]

Very odd, this subject has cropped up in a previous thread. When I suggested a Dixon-Bate drop plate, someone inferred that they were not now legal.........:nenau

I've read that a lot and after contacting my trailer training instructor again he advised me that, the Dixon Bate droppers are legal but ONLY if you are using it to lower the ball, if you have altered it to make your ball higher that is an offence :thumb2

 

[Banshee]

The problem I now have is that my 4 bolt ball setup does not marry up with the bolt holes on the one that Mark sent across

I don't like the sound of drilling new holes

Anyone suggest anything I can buy off the shelf here or am I going to have to get something fabricated?

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

I've read that a lot and after contacting my trailer training instructor again he advised me that, the Dixon Bate droppers are legal but ONLY if you are using it to lower the ball, if you have altered it to make your ball higher that is an offence :thumb2

I believe it also has to be stated by the towbar manufacturers that the towbar has been designed to use one.

http://www.solentribster.com/towing_requirements.htm

5 Coupling devices (Tow Bars)

Any coupling device fitted to a passenger carrying vehicle with up to eight seats plus the driver that:

a) has European Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA) and

b) that the manufacturer has authorised to tow a trailer and

c) is first registered on or after 1 August 1998

must be type approved in accordance with EU Directive 94/20/EC. (Regulation 86B of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, as amended)

Modification to the coupling in any way, for example, by the addition of other devices that alter the position of the centre of a coupling ball, will render the approval invalid unless the coupling device manufacturer has taken this into account during approval of the device. You will need to consult the manufacturer for advice.

A vehicle that has ECWVTA will have a Vehicle Identification Number plate (VIN plate) bearing the vehicle manufacturer's name, chassis number and an approval number including the letter "e" in a small rectangle.

If the manufacturer has not authorised the towing of a trailer by declaration during the type approval process, it is not permitted to fit a coupling device or tow a trailer.

 

[Banshee]

I believe it also has to be stated by the towbar manufacturers that the towbar has been designed to use one.

http://www.solentribster.com/towing_requirements.htm

No longer applies as far as I'm conecerned, that was an EU directive :naughty

Maybe leave was a good idea :lol

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

If you have the T2 Witter towbar with 4 holes it says on their website

Fixed Flange Commercial Towbar

Traditionally used in the UK for all serious forms of towing and generally the most cost effective option. Two or four hole faceplate, the four hole faceplate allows the fitting of accessories such as the Z52B fully approved height adjustable coupling. Smaller commercial vehicles will only have a two hole faceplate, not for use with height adjustable couplings.
from £269.94 inc VAT

Benefits

The towing height can be adjusted*
Z52B height adjustable coupling can be used*
Heavy duty towsteps can be fitted
A choice of towing couplings and accessories can be fitted
* Four hole faceplate designs only

But when you look at their site the Z52A, looks like the Dixon Bate unit, the one they recommend is different.
http://www.witter-towbars.co.uk/product_review2.php?partNo=Z52B

 

[Banshee]

If you have the T2 Witter towbar with 4 holes it says on their website





But when you look at their site the Z52A, looks like the Dixon Bate unit, the one they recommend is different.
http://www.witter-towbars.co.uk/product_review2.php?partNo=Z52B

So the goods news is my tow ball is compatible with a dropper.

The bad news is (for Witter at least) I wont be paying their prices and going to get one made instead :thumb2

 

[rustic]

Sometimes there is some " backlash" in the bolts bolting the tow bar assembly to the chassis of the vehicle, I needed to go as high as possible with my tow bar, when the twin axle boat trailer was un laden, the rear wheels didn't touch the road with a 4 bolt Ford (Brink) bar, so I bought a much lighter built EU approved Witter, that with lifting the bar and tightening the bolts, met my requirements. All legal of course.
When I spoke to "Brink" in Holland, they said, no modifications, no raiser plates, I couldn't even enlarge the two top holes and fit a bog standard two bolt ball, that may have done it... What a game.

Why bother? well if you have a crash, whilst towing, then the insurance companies know of this issue, and will use any excuse not to pay out, then you are not insured, then the police will have a talk too.

Note... I still have this super strong Brink tow bar with 4 hole ball, waxoyled from new, but only on the vehicle for a year I guess, stored in the shed. Only suitable for Pre "S" registrations as not EU approved, mind you, might be legal for all in two years time lol....
Anyone interested? Location Cannock /Lichfield area.