Front mounted tow hitch on a Defender

[Dan Curtis]

I'm thinking of mounting an extra ball on the front of my 90, having found a few occasions when it would come in handy. The only issue I've got is that I've also got a nudge bar fitted. I'd like to put the hitch on the end of a dumb iron so it can take a a fair load without crippling the bumper.

 

Has anyone got any experience of having both combined and did it require any extra bracket fabrication? I've got a mounting plate, nato hitch and ball mount from another Land Rover that can go on.

[midwales richard]

I've got a front mounted ball hitch but have it removable. Slightly different set up as I have a heavy duty winch bumper. The bracket I had fabricated is a flat plate with a length of box section welded to it. The plate bolts onto the bumper using the same bolts that hold the winch on. Then have a second (smaller) piece of box section with a bar to bolt the hitch onto that slides into the one on the bumper and have a 12 mm pin to hold it in place. Works well, takes a good heavy trailer no problems. Not sure if this would work for your bumper but happy to take some photos tomorrow if that's helpful.

[william127]

at's exactly the way I plan to make 1 for my 127, im gonna make up an extra couple of attachment s as well- saw vice, plain shackle, battering ram!

[Dan Curtis]

I've got a front mounted ball hitch but have it removable. Slightly different set up as I have a heavy duty winch bumper. The bracket I had fabricated is a flat plate with a length of box section welded to it. The plate bolts onto the bumper using the same bolts that hold the winch on. Then have a second (smaller) piece of box section with a bar to bolt the hitch onto that slides into the one on the bumper and have a 12 mm pin to hold it in place. Works well, takes a good heavy trailer no problems. Not sure if this would work for your bumper but happy to take some photos tomorrow if that's helpful.

 

Pictures would help, I'm struggling to visualise that. Cheers

[Dan Curtis]

battering ram!

 

Nice

[midwales richard]

]Pictures would help, I'm struggling to visualise that. Cheers

 

I'll get some tomorrow and post them-very simple really just my poor description!

[treequip]

at's exactly the way I plan to make 1 for my 127, im gonna make up an extra couple of attachment s as well- saw vice, plain shackle, battering ram!

 

Nice

 

Until you remember the "is the vehicle modified in any way" part of the insurance, those slippery buggers don't need much room to wriggle out of something.

[Dan Curtis]

Until you remember the "is the vehicle modified in any way" part of the insurance, those slippery buggers don't need much room to wriggle out of something.

 

Indeed.

[midwales richard]

Which is why having a removable accessory that the insurer is aware is only used off the public highway is better than having something permanently bolted to the front of the bumper which might be considered a modification. Asked my broker about mine and he confirmed no issue in writing.