Long reach Tow bar tongue on a defender

[cal415]

Hi All,
I am looking at getting something like this -
HAYMAN REESE TOWBAR TONGUE TRAILER BALL MOUNT & TOWBALL | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HAYMAN-REESE-TOWBAR-TONGUE-TRAILER-BALL-MOUNT-TOWBALL-/260935793871?pt=AU_product_Trailer_Parts&hash=item3cc0fc3ccf)

for my 130, After i took delivery of the truck i found that it had a 110 wagon towbar not a 130 towbar as you would expect, this means the hitch is tucked up under the back end of the tub making it difficult to get my treg hitch camper on and off. Also because of the over hang of the rear tub i dont get much turn out of the camper before the stone deflector makes contact with the tub.

I checked out the 130 tow bar, which is much more suitable clearing the tub by a fair ammount but it just hangs way to low for my liking and would
cause other issues - so this hitch might be a better idea, i know its only rated to 2250kg but considering my camper weighs in at 750kg unloaded and empty i cant see it cracking the 2000kg mark in a hurry!

Has anyone run one of these long reach hitches? my only concearn is the added leverage would mean more stress on the towbar and i have heard some stories about 110 towbars breaking!

[rick130]

Is there enough drop on that one you linked to ?

BTW, can you post up a pic of your towbar please, I didn't realise there were two versions.

ta.

[cal415]

This is the 130 towbar, this was on some of the newer 130s i have seen now, but it seems to be a bit of luck of the draw
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/members-rides/41344d1323238104-cal415s-puma-130-dsc_7426.jpg

I dont have a good pic of mine handy but i will get one.

[MickInTheMud]

Try your local tow bar dealer first.
I got one similar about 5 years ago for about $70.
Cheers Mick.

( Buy the way I tow about 1800kg of boat with mine)

[P38ace]

Hi All,
I am looking at getting something like this -
HAYMAN REESE TOWBAR TONGUE TRAILER BALL MOUNT & TOWBALL | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HAYMAN-REESE-TOWBAR-TONGUE-TRAILER-BALL-MOUNT-TOWBALL-/260935793871?pt=AU_product_Trailer_Parts&hash=item3cc0fc3ccf)


Has anyone run one of these long reach hitches? my only concearn is the added leverage would mean more stress on the towbar and i have heard some stories about 110 towbars breaking!

I have one of these on my 110 wagon. 305mm long, it sticks out beyond the spare wheel and makes it much easier to attach a trailer, as well as hitting the wall first !, plus I can use it as a step.

The one on ebay above appears to be the 21171 model which has a hollow shank. I have the 21181 model with a solid shank. It's very heavy, feels indestructible and would be the strongest part on the vehicle. I have no reservations about towing 3500kg with the solid version and have pulled much more.

Suggest you look for one of those. It cost about $120 from Arrow Towbars, Virginia. IIRC.

[cal415]

This is mine...
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/01/690.jpg

I have been looking at the 21171 and 21181, best i can get them for is $140 for 81 and $90 for 71, but if i order from them i may not get them delivered in time, so i am trying to find somewhere that stocks them locally.

[Drover]

I used a 300mm tow bar on my Disco 3, trying to more clearance between the vehicle and camper.

Didn't have any problem and certainly gave the extra clearance required...but

I was always worried about the extra stain on the all the components caused by the lever action of such a long shaft so far out from vehicle.

Worth considering, some body with more knowledge might be able to put more light on this.

[rick130]

Here's the one off the '98 for comparison.
I'm guessing it's a 130 version ?


http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/2916/imga0195.jpg

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/8493/imga0194.jpg

[cal415]

Rick, That would be much more suitable, i can get a newer style 130 towbar, but i would have to modify it to my liking, they have way to much drop loosing alot on departure angle, the 110 is much better for this but its tucked way to far under the tub. I do like the 110 one but just like drover has mentioned it has worried using the long reach tongue with regards to the extra stress due to leverage. Perhaps i can have a hack at the 110 bar and add some extra bracing....

[Beckford]

This is mine;

[cal415]

Where did you get that one from Beckford?

I have ordered a new solid shank hayman reese 300mm from Opposite lock Newcastle

[PAT303]

I can't help but laugh,I have two defenders with towbars and niether looks like the ones posted. Pat

[Beckford]

Where did you get that one from Beckford?

I have ordered a new solid shank hayman reese 300mm from Opposite lock Newcastle

Narara Trailers and Towbars, in West Gosford.

The guy at the shop said the angled ones (like the original) have a greater towing capacity. Can't remember the capacity of the one I got, but it is greater than the weight of the horse float + 2 horses.

I started off with an adjustable one from ARB, but did not like the idea of horizontal bolts.

[rick130]

Narara Trailers and Towbars, in West Gosford.

The guy at the shop said the angled ones (like the original) have a greater towing capacity. Can't remember the capacity of the one I got, but it is greater than the weight of the horse float + 2 horses.

I started off with an adjustable one from ARB, but did not like the idea of horizontal bolts.

The OE one I have has a long drop like yours but also has a gusset welded on it.

[cal415]

I can't help but laugh,I have two defenders with towbars and niether looks like the ones posted. Pat
Post up some pics please Pat, that would be 6 different types i have seen supplied by LR