Member Since: 20 Feb 2009
Location: lancashire
Posts: 104
Multi-height tow bar- is drop-plate needed ?
Hi- I have just fitted a maxxraxx cycle carrier and cannot put their plate between the tow ball and drop plate as the screws aren't long enough-
Is the drop plate essential for safety or can I take it off and just fit the tow ball to the fitting behind the drop plate ?
8th Mar 2009 1:41 pm
wiggs
Member Since: 03 Sep 2006
Location: Manchester
Posts: 14368
Get some longer bolts G4 Gone ...but not forgotten
8th Mar 2009 1:48 pm
al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10299
take it off, if you towball height doesnt need it.
I've the witter bike rack, and like you, its fitted between the towball and the bracket.
see here:
Click image to enlarge
and dont go the longer bolt route, as there's a bit of EU legislation (EC94/20 I think) that states the max distance from face of bracket to towball (and I cant remember what it is), but your local towing place would know. It's caused some folks some issues when they've wanted to have both a bike rack bracket and a caravan stabiliser bracket bolted between the towball and the towbar.
I've also noticed you've got a spacer fitted already, see this note from EC94/20:
Accessories
Most towbar manufacturers have allowed, in the towbar test and approval application, for the inclusion of various accessories, often by including a spacer in the towbar kit, which is removed when the accessory is fitted. This information should be clearly stated in the fitting instructions. If there is any doubt, you should contact the towbar supplier. This would apply to all accessories that move the towbar rearwards from the towbar.
And:
Towballs :- After fitting a towbar to your customer's vehicle please explain that the height of the towbar from the centre of the ball to the ground will be between 350mm & 420mm, when the vehicle is fully laden, in accordance with Directive EC94/20. Therefore in order to attain this height, the unladen ball height will be much higher than the fully laden height & will vary depending on vehicle type.
Towballs are not interchangeable between bars. They are designed for specific vehicles and comply with legal and technical requirements. Therefore we are unable to supply towballs for any vehicles they are not designed for (e.g. to alter the height, to extend the ball away from the bumper etc.). To do so would invalidate type approval & render the bar illegal. There must also be a minimum distance of 65mm between the bumper and the centre of the towball to conform to directive EC94/20. Please note that if an Alko stabiliser is being utilised then the Minimum distance required is 67mm.
Sorry for the lengthy text, just thought it might help
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Last edited by al cope on 8th Mar 2009 9:21 pm. Edited 2 times in total
8th Mar 2009 2:01 pm
THUB
Member Since: 10 Dec 2005
Location: West Berkshire.
Posts: 717
When I collected my 08 D3 the dealer refused to remove the drop plate. Took it to another dealer who also refused to remove it for me. The drop plate is not a requirement unless YOU require it. I have a letter from LR to confirm the situation. LR agree that there was some confusion which should now be cleared.
Quote:
8th Mar 2009 3:36 pm
THUB
Member Since: 10 Dec 2005
Location: West Berkshire.
Posts: 717
When I collected my 08 D3 the dealer refused to remove the drop plate. Took it to another dealer who also refused to remove it for me. The drop plate is not a requirement unless YOU require it. I have a letter from LR to confirm the situation. LR agree that there was some confusion which should now be cleared.
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