Grenadier towing a Grenadier

[Jean Mercier]

The white/red truck shows a US style hitch setup.

Yes, could be, but the picture is from the Australian test rides

 

[DCPU]

The white/red truck shows a US style hitch setup.

Yes, up to now this is the only hitch style I've seen in any photos - hence the South African (?) variation is of interest.

 

[Krabby]

Yes, could be, but the picture is from the Australian test rides

So we use a similar setup? Most of the UK (and EEC?) ones appear to be bolted on - I guess that's what the additional holes are for.

 

[DCPU]

The UK/EU version only fits on the lower set of bolt holes:

If you look closely the upper two sets are a smaller bolt diameter and at a different bolt centre:

I think/guess the upper two sets might accommodate a NATO towing PINTLE, which is an option in the UK:

 

[Krabby]

Makes perfect sense.

 

[Blackwolf]

Resurrecting a really old thread, the top four holes are not strictly "for a NATO pintle", they conform to BSAU24 the standard for a sub-5-tonne towing attachment with four 33/64" diameter holes on horizontal centres of 3.3/8" and vertical centres of 1.3/4". Common towing attachments which use this standard are the smallest NATO pintle. as well as various pin/jaw couplings and some ball/pin/jaw couplings. It is a very common standard on small goods vehicles such as pickup trucks.

The two lower holes conform to BS ISO 1103:2007 (formerly BSAU114s) for two 17mm holes on 90mm horizontal centres, which is the standard for a sub-3.5-tonne coupling such as a standard ball, small pin/jaw, or small ball/pin/jaw combination coupling.

The only significant issue I can see with the BSAU24 mount used with a NATO pintle is that it is actually far too low to tow a military trailer with a standard NTO lunette, the trailer will be nose-down to a spectacular and probably unacceptable degree. The pintle really needs to be at number-plate height on the Grenadier.

 

[CountyV8]

Some steel plate and a drill press should sort that out .

 

[Blackwolf]

True, but it would not be type approved and therefore would not be legal (in the UK or EC).

 

[Grumpy]

True, but it would not be type approved and therefore would not be legal (in the UK or EC).

I'm still perplexed as to why having got an M1 fieldmaster we can't use the removanle reciever and are stuck with the drop plate. Especially when I forget and polish the towbar with my shin !

G.

 

[Blackwolf]

I agree, it's bonkers. On my 2007 Defender double-cab, which is N1 type-approved and old enough to predate the requirement for N1 vehicles to use type-approved towing equipment, I have front and rear 2" receivers and a range of fittings. I've used them for years, regularly towing 3.5T, without any problems. I cannot legally use any of the on the Grenadier thanks entirely to the daft EC and UK law-makers.

I have fitted a type-approved Bradley Dixon Bate adjustable hitch mount to the Grenadier so at least slider-mounted couplings are interchangeable. I also found a fabricator who sells on eBay a removable winch mount that pins to a BDB 'ladder' enabling a very easily fitted rear winch option using the NATO electrical socket.

I've really no idea why there are still no type-approved 2" receiver fittings available in the UK.