90 Tow Hitch

[Ivan]

OK I need to fit a Tow Hitch to the wifes 90. At the moment we have a standard 300TDI tow hitch which has a plate which bolts through the rear cross member and two arms which bolt to the chassis rails (inside the chassis rails). I have had to remove the two arms to the chassis rails as I have fitted a TD5 tank in the rear. It has a standard towball at the moment but I want to fit the receiver type hitch. Anyone got any clues as to where I can get a tow hitch of the type I am looking for?

TIA

Ivan

[toad]

I would look at the Land Rover Aust hitch options. The Rover one for the 110 is a beauty, 4000kg rating at $250 fitted compared to the HR hitch at 3500 kg and $900 plus fitting. It also came with a plug in loom, no crush lock connection problems for me.

They may have something similar for your bus. This was a few years back now I must add.

[Ivan]

Toad

Any ideas where I can get one of these hitches from ?

Thnx

Ivan

[KarlB]

You could order a LR one from a dealer. Hayman Reece also make one for the older 90s. However, I think you will find they all link back to the chassis rails. County vintage Landies had a simple plate that bolted to the rear cross member but more recent Defenders have a much lighter weight cross member thus requiring the linkage to the chassis rails. I suspect you may have to either replace the long range fuel tank, go without a tow bar, pay to have a custom one made (and certified by an engineer) (= expensive), or simply bolt to the rear cross member and run the real risk of bending it (= expensive repair). I suspect the latter option may render your vehicle unroadworthy at worst, but certainly unable to legally tow anything on a public road.

Cheers
KarlB
:(

[Allan]

The latest LR 90 bar is close to the old type bar but has captured nuts on the arms so you can bolt it from the out side. It also has two recovery points built in. It comes with plug and fittings but no wireing. I found the price very good to at $308.

Allan

[Ivan]

Allan

Thanks for that. Any idea where I can get one from? Would it be from the dealer?

Thanks

Ivan

[Allan]

Yes, it is a genuine LR towbar with Australian compliance, straight from the dealer. There was a waiting list when I bought mine as the Puma 90 had just been released, but I would think it would be a shorter wait now.

Allan

[jc109]

The latest LR 90 bar is close to the old type bar but has captured nuts on the arms so you can bolt it from the out side. It also has two recovery points built in. It comes with plug and fittings but no wireing. I found the price very good to at $308.

Allan

Is there any difference between the 90 and 110 hitches? I was quoted $986 for one (admittedly this was fitted) by my dealer for a new 110.

Big difference in price.

[Allan]

Is there any difference between the 90 and 110 hitches? I was quoted $986 for one (admittedly this was fitted) by my dealer for a new 110.

Big difference in price.


Yes the 90 and 110 are very different bars.

Allan

[Ivan]

Well, just been to Austral Landrover in the Valley (see I'm learning about Brissy :) ) and picked up my new 90 towbar. It's a Hayman Reece style and Cost just $269.50. Which I reckon is pretty good seeing as they are a dealer. Will attempt to fit it tonight. Just one point the new towbars fit inside the chassis rails. Apparantly it's a tight fit but, I explained what I had done and they said it should fit with no dramas.

Ivan

[Allan]

Well, just been to Austral Landrover in the Valley (see I'm learning about Brissy :) ) and picked up my new 90 towbar. It's a Hayman Reece style and Cost just $269.50. Which I reckon is pretty good seeing as they are a dealer. Will attempt to fit it tonight. Just one point the new towbars fit inside the chassis rails. Apparantly it's a tight fit but, I explained what I had done and they said it should fit with no dramas.

Ivan

One trick I found on mine was to fit the side rails first loosly then jack the bar into position. I tried for over an hour fitting the plate up first with no luck.
Good luck

Allan

[Ivan]

Thanks Allan that's what I will try. I may remove the second tank first to see how it fits. The re-fit it all with the tank in place.

Ivan

[Ivan]

Well fitted the new Towhitch last night and must say I am pleased with how it looks. It wasn't easy holding the towbar in position whilst holding the second tank in place with my knees and trying to fit the bolts.
I now realise what people mean about the thiness of the later rear cross member. The supplied bolts were no where near long enough. Fortunately I had the bolts from the original towbar and used those instead. They need a bit of paint now to match up with the new shiny towhitch :D

Ivan

[Allan]

Well fitted the new Towhitch last night and must say I am pleased with how it looks. It wasn't easy holding the towbar in position whilst holding the second tank in place with my knees and trying to fit the bolts.
I now realise what people mean about the thiness of the later rear cross member. The supplied bolts were no where near long enough. Fortunately I had the bolts from the original towbar and used those instead. They need a bit of paint now to match up with the new shiny towhitch :D

Ivan

Good one, glad it worked out.

Allan

[KarlB]

Photo Ivan?

[Ivan]

Will take a pic over the weekend and post it up.

Ivan