Tow hitches

[Warb]

Looking through my supply of old LR's for a towball to use on my farm IIA, I found a couple of interesting options in addition to the normal variations on the 50mm ball (or jaw and pin) on a fixed or adjustable backplate.

I do not recall having seen a sprung hitch on another Land Rover, but this one was on a IIA (G suffix) trayback. Has anybody any experience with sprung tow balls? Does the sprung tow ball have any advantages or disadvantages over a normal setup?

42389

The photo shows it inverted when compared to the way it was mounted on the vehicle - the trailer nose weight compressed the spring. I took the photo with it "upside down" because the tongue hides the spring when its the other way up. Without knowing the design intention of a sprung hitch, I don't even know if it was mounted the right way up!

Edit: I don't even know if this sprung hitch is a home-made part, but if it is then somebody went to a lot of effort as it looks very neat. I assume the pintle hook is a genuine "LR military" one, but haven't studied it in detail yet.

[chazza]

Check out the Dixon Bate website and you will find their sprung hitches; the idea is to take the jarring out of towing a heavy load.

The other hitch looks like a NATO hitch also made by Dixon Bate,

Cheers Charlie

[Mick_Marsh]

The pintle is indeed a Dixon Bate. I have several.
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=42413&stc=1&d=1326019762

They often pop up on ebay.

[Warb]

So assuming that it is in good working order, is the sprung hitch a better option that a fixed hitch? It has the disadvantage that it sticks out a long way and is just the right height to bruise shins!

I removed the pintle hook because I have a military vehicle in the "queue", so it goes on the shelf for later. The decision for this SWB is between a normal adjustable towball and a sprung ball.....