bankz5152

bankz5152

Well-Known Member
Bit lost here so hopefully someone could help.

Off roading on Sat I noticed my current tow hitch was decreasing my departure angle and acting like a plough, so has to go.

Its the adjustable tow hitch type, so I tried to adjust it up and the support arms that bolt into the towing eyes wouldnt meet the hitch, so its not as strong as it should be.

The holes in the xmember are threaded, though is it strong enough to fit something like this?



I cant get to the back of the xmember without dropping the tank, which I want to avoid at all costs.

Currently I have this, which I know isnt strong enough. Its the remains of the tow hitch bolted in at the bottom with the two large bolts it came with.

 
bankz5152 said:
Its the adjustable tow hitch type, so I tried to adjust it up and the support arms that bolt into the towing eyes wouldnt meet the hitch, so its not as strong as it should be.

The holes in the xmember are threaded, though is it strong enough to fit something like this?
Click to expand...

Hi Bankz,

I do not follow the first sentence, do you have a photo by any chance?

Also, ref the bolt being threaded into the Cross member. My tuppence worth, I would have thought that this was not correct, and that the bolts should have nuts and washers on the inside and also utilise a spreader plate. BUT then I would have thought this was the way it should also be for the adjustable towing point anyway. Then again I may be wrong......

Cheers
 
Although to be honest, not sure I I would want to risk it as he has done it myself.

If I was looking at something like that then I would include the angle iron that attaches to the bottom of the CM to give added strength to the drop plate.

Cheers
 
As always a wealth of knowledge!

Looks good but i agree, doesnt look overly strong. I mean how strong does it have to be?

Thing is, when I was trying to raise the hitch up, the outer attachment bars where miles out. No chance of connecting them to the hitch
 
The Question is not how strong does it have to be.

The question is , what are you planning on doing to it? And can you trust the person who is going to reverse their vehicle to get you out of the sticky stuff to not be a savage animal. .......................:eek::eek::eek:, Or what if they are using a kinetic rope.

If you never plan to tow anything using a tow bar, then if I was you, I would look at fitting one of the rear recovery points with a shackle,like the photo you attached. But I would start by phoning one of the 4x4 specialists , or even a few of them, and ask about what needs to be on the inside of the CM to spread the load.

Cheers
 
Dont use kinetic ropes and will always wait for a winch If i can, though often end up with a tow rope recovery. Also often with people i know/trust.

No plan to tow anything ever really.

Just want somthing simple, strong and out the way! But I dont want to drop the tank to get in there to fit or look for plates etc..

Thanks :D
 
Ill get a pic tomorrow but it would need two quite precise bends, not sure a blow torch would manage it. Though you have given me an idea, as it i could get one fabbed up!
 
5mm flat bar is quite easy to bend (through one plane cold the other is much easier with added heat) but rigid when bolted up into a triangle between tow point and chassis.
Make a cardboard template first then with heat, a hammer and a vice or similar immovable holding device(street furniture like telegraph poles next to a wall or cast drainage grids etc work well) and you'll get there.
 
bankz5152 said:
Ill get a pic tomorrow but it would need two quite precise bends, not sure a blow torch would manage it. Though you have given me an idea, as it i could get one fabbed up!
Click to expand...

yep wouldnt be as much as you thinkm a steel stock yard could do it for you, cut to length and bend then you drill it?
 
Ok cheers boys, I shall have another look at the support brackets tonight. See what can be done.

In the future I was thinking of fitting a NAS style rear step, seeing as this bolts in to the xmember in multiple place I assume fitting one these (pic below) with a backing plate would be suitable?



Though equally concerned it may ruin the departure angle the same way the current hitch does.
 
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