Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
Sankey Tow Hitch
Well I've had someone make a 'test piece' for my tow hitch so that I can use my Sankey Trailer.
Here it is, although needs a coat of paint on it.
I wanted it to be able to use the std tow ball as well, which is why it sits up one set of bolts. It could easily move down one set also, but I think the height is just about spot on for being able to open the tailgate withoiut getting it dented.
It's not connected to the recovery eye like RLD's ones, I'll look into that at some point, but it's plenty strong enough for what it will be towing Bodsys Brake Bible
it's plenty strong enough for what it will be towing
But is the tow-bar up to withstanding such a huge moment?A vaccine does not stop you catching a virus, or passing it on, or getting ill from it, really ill. It does reduce the likelyhood of you dying when really, really ill. Stay Alive - KEEP AWAY FROM PEOPLE.
21st Jun 2010 5:04 pm
Bodsy Site Sponsor
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
In normal use so far, you can't see it move at all. (i had a video camera on it whilst I was driving just to check.) If I was going to do some proper off roading with it, then i'd get it secured to the recovery point like Ray's. Bodsys Brake Bible
You would make me feel happier if you were attaching it to the recovery point for road use as well.
I would not expect to see movement up until just before failure, as the stress cracks would develop over time. The design is for an in-line load, and as such the resistance to twisting is appropriate. The height gives the trailer weight considerably more leverage on the LR tow-bar. I know the LR components are "over engineered" but this is perhaps not the best way way to find out just how much.
Could you add side stays to the tow-bar to spread some of the load?
I have been thinking about a way of attaching the NATO hitch straight onto the towing eye alone, using an arrangement similar to a hinged style snatch block, so that all the load goes directly in-line. Pity they didn't make the eye a bolt on device with the same centres as the NATO pintle.A vaccine does not stop you catching a virus, or passing it on, or getting ill from it, really ill. It does reduce the likelyhood of you dying when really, really ill. Stay Alive - KEEP AWAY FROM PEOPLE.
21st Jun 2010 5:40 pm
DiscoStu
Member Since: 09 Apr 2006
Location: London
Posts: 11412
Shamelessly copied - hope thats ok
Had a multi-height towbar, so decided to utilise that to take the Nato. Now I've got this knocked up I'll work out a fixing for the recovery eye too. The hitch will sit slightly higher too (dependant on trailer ride height) - it seems a touch too low at the moment.
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
10mm back plate, 6mm side supports and a reinforcement bar added too. Assembled it all off the car then couldn't get it into the towbar latch due to the weight Stripped it all then assembled on the job. I think it looks ok - just hope the neighbours mind their knees Disco 5 HSE Lux
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23rd Jul 2010 7:41 pm
DiscoStu
Member Since: 09 Apr 2006
Location: London
Posts: 11412
thats ok but paint it black and do the eye joint Home of RLD Hidden winch mounts Spare wheel Locks Trailer Body Fabrication [email protected] D3/4 sump plates MY 14 sump plates and the Discovery Sport wheel protectors Discovery 5 wheel locks
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23rd Jul 2010 8:15 pm
DiscoStu
Member Since: 09 Apr 2006
Location: London
Posts: 11412
Do the eye joint?
Paint it black? 8)
Did you mean paint the eye joint?
wiggs wrote:
Oh Stu ..your wheels left this afternoon ..pm you later ..im off for a beer
what i ment get the eye welded on then paint the tow hitch black but thats up to you Home of RLD Hidden winch mounts Spare wheel Locks Trailer Body Fabrication [email protected] D3/4 sump plates MY 14 sump plates and the Discovery Sport wheel protectors Discovery 5 wheel locks
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23rd Jul 2010 9:01 pm
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
mine works just fine as well
Click image to enlarge
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23rd Jul 2010 9:59 pm
xtc
Member Since: 27 Mar 2007
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 1072
I really think you should connect the top to the recovery eye... You are putting bending loads on the original hitch it was never designed for. If something did go wrong you would be very exposed.
I secured mine with a bar the diameter of the recovery eye and about 100mm long placed through the recovery eye with 2 tapped holes all the way through with M12 thread. Then just 2 long bolts from the top of the plate.
Any mods to tow bars I would imagine invalidate their approval certificates so best be over the top! I also have a slider with a Nato hitch on and it all works well.
The advantage is that you do not need the lower arms on the fixed towbar so the bottom of the bracket can be cut off so not affecting the departure angle.
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
Off Roading is OK.... But I'd rather be Boating!
23rd Jul 2010 10:05 pm
Bodsy Site Sponsor
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
Stu, no problem, simple solution
Richard, I really like your method with the peice of metal through and then the bolts coming back, but can't do that one easily with just the simple U shape.
Stu, whatever you knock up to weld on the back, any chance of doing two?
I'll pay for materials, just I don't have too much access to a Metal workshop to chop and drill the bits needed.
Position on the recovery point will be the same, I'll just need to make sure the weld point is suitable for me (I'm kind of assuming you'll make a couple of prongs out with a bar going through the middle? But not sure.
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23rd Jul 2010 11:09 pm
discocuzzy
Member Since: 02 Feb 2008
Location: surrey
Posts: 2752
you all know that the nato hitch has not passed TUV approval for civilian use?
I have a nato reciever on the Defender and its bolted to the chassis so no chance for flex.....im not sure i would trust a home lash up just in case of an issue, XTC has a very valid point."you cannot teach stupid people to do clever things"
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24th Jul 2010 12:07 am
DiscoStu
Member Since: 09 Apr 2006
Location: London
Posts: 11412
Bodsy wrote:
Stu, whatever you knock up to weld on the back, any chance of doing two?
I'll see what I can do
XTC's arrangement sounds do-able - except our hitches sit in front of the eye. Maybe a cylinder through the recovery eye, with 2 screw on arms coming back to the hitch and then 2 lugs on the back of the hitch to bolt the arms to the hitch. Not looking at the hitch at the moment, might not be enough room.
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Stripped it all then assembled on the job. I think it looks ok - just hope the neighbours mind their knees 
Oh Stu ..your wheels left this afternoon ..pm you later ..im off for a beer 
8)
