Tow hitch height versus horse box issue (Defender 110 2011)

LandyMont · Dec 31, 2023

Morning all,

My first thread with my recently purchased Defender 110 (2011 2.4 XS TDCi) and very grateful for some advice.

My Defender came with the NAS rear step, to which I have attached a standard tow hitch giving a height clearance of roughly 55cm to the ground. Our horse box, when roughly horizontal, is around 35 cm. When attached, the horse box is at an uncomfortable upwards angle - is there an easy fix to this?

The wheels that came with my Defender are BF Goodrich 235/85 R16 - I have considered purchasing smaller tyres, alternatively I could remove the NAS rear step and purchase an adjustable tow hitch kit? I assume no hitch kits are compatible with the NAS rear step?

I have uploaded a pic below of our current setup.

Many thanks in advance!

Propman · Dec 31, 2023

Hi.
Look for an adjustable tow-plate adaptor (Sorry can't recall the correct name) or you can opt for a fixed adaptor plate.
They will both resemble the attached picture.

LandyMont · Dec 31, 2023

Great, thank you. Are these compatible with the NAS rear step or will I have to remove it?

kermit_rr · Dec 31, 2023

As an FYI tow ball height should be between 350 and 420mm.. that's from the centre of the ball to the ground

Propman · Dec 31, 2023

LandyMont said:
Great, thank you. Are these compatible with the NAS rear step or will I have to remove it?

They should be compatible, as the pictured LR has a rear tubular bumper similar to mine.

LandyMont · Dec 31, 2023

Propman said:
They should be compatible, as the pictured LR has a rear tubular bumper similar to mine.

Brill, thank you. I'll have a look for the adjustable hitch and give it a go!

LandyMont · Dec 31, 2023

kermit_rr said:
As an FYI tow ball height should be between 350 and 420mm.. that's from the centre of the ball to the ground

Thank you - it looks high even by looking at it. These numbers make sense with the trailer height.

Hicap phill · Dec 31, 2023

you may need to take the rear step off to put the Dixon bate drop plate on. Reason been there would be no rear stays from chassis to tow ball to stop the plate from flexing.

If you are after the tow bar to stick out you can get a high cap extension to do this. Add a step to rear of the tow ball so you can still get in.

(My horse trailer was a 510XL and towed level with 7.50 & drop plate

What area are you from?

v8250 · Dec 31, 2023

Look here for the excellent Alko / Dixon Bate technical component pdf https://www.alko-tech.com/en_gb/get-download-file-data/13602

And here for auto product selection https://ukshop.alko-tech.com/trailer/towing-hitches/?count=18

Def90man · Dec 31, 2023

I like the two pin version like this

as it stops a bit of the shunting

Hicap phill · Dec 31, 2023

Def90man said:
I like the two pin version like this

View attachment 306360
as it stops a bit of the shunting

So does a bit of hosepipe up the slider(cheap version)

v8250 · Dec 31, 2023

Hicap phill said:
So does a bit of hosepipe up the slider(cheap version)

Or line the slipper with self adhesive neoprene foam

TheQ · Dec 31, 2023

Remember to keep the pin and linch pins greased. Because if not greased when you need to change height they'll have rusted solid ..

As I found out, as now I have two trailers needing different height settings.

Hicap phill · Dec 31, 2023

TheQ said:
Remember to keep the pin and linch pins greased. Because if not greased when you need to change height they'll have rusted solid ..

As I found out, as now I have two trailers needing different height settings.

I did change the R clip for a padlock to stop the riser being nicked. But padlock unlocked weekly due to differnt trailers

Knappster · Dec 31, 2023

I wouldn’t change the tyres to smaller ones, they’d look odd on a 110.

LandyMont · Jan 1, 2024

Hicap phill said:
you may need to take the rear step off to put the Dixon bate drop plate on. Reason been there would be no rear stays from chassis to tow ball to stop the plate from flexing.

If you are after the tow bar to stick out you can get a high cap extension to do this. Add a step to rear of the tow ball so you can still get in.

(My horse trailer was a 510XL and towed level with 7.50 & drop plate

What area are you from?

Great advice, thank you. I have forked out for a drop plate and will see what it looks like when I try to fit.

We're up in the north of Scotland.

Wagon Loon · Jan 31, 2024

My caravan on a knott chassis sits level with a towball height of 350mm. So I'm in the process of fitting the adjustable Tow Hitch, and replacing the original lower angle iron supports, since the original ones have become weaker with rust.
With the adjustable Tow Hitch drop mount you should get a perfect fit.

Tow hitch height versus horse box issue (Defender 110 2011)

LandyMont

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