Vehicle accessories - removable winch

[DaveB]

It does deter people who like to park by feel though

Yes I have seen a few cars with tow ball rash on the front bumper.
Hopefully the steel bumpers on the Grenny will solve that problem.

 

[Davman]

Just had it confirmed from my dealer that the front tow hitch is NOT to be used as a winch mount. Website will be updated accordingly.
Hence from today I have added the mounted winch to my spec.

 

[pt888]

My Ineos rep has been in contact with me.
The website is in error and Ineos are working to fix it. The front plate is "NOT" compatible with a portable winch.
Hope there aren't any other cockups!

He also confirmed a suspension upgrade is included with the integrated winch.

 

[pt888]

Ah your post wasn't there when I started typing. Yes I've also added the integrated winch. Hope the changes don't screw up our build slots.

 

[DCPU]

Following on from our chat, the towing interface means that the tow bar can be set to 3 different heights. When you have the tow ball fitted as its lowest position the removable winch is able to slot in without removing the tow-bar from the vehicle.

The higher two positions will cover up the slot.

Not seeing room for the tow ball in the lower mounts at all?

 

[DCPU]

Dear Dave. Spot on! I looked at Amazon.co.uk and found these. I was going to post my findings but you’ve provided all the info. Having an easily removable tow hitch makes much more sense. Martin

And then you're back to trying to find a type approved one if your Grenadier is an M1 in the UK.

 

[Krabby]

Are 2” (50mm) removeable receiver and ball allowed in the UK? That way you can easily remove need be and there are a variety of options. Stuff like this:

 

[DCPU]

"In the U.K, with effect from 1st August 1998 all Passenger Carrying Vehicles up to 3500kgs Gross Vehicle Weight (M1 Vehicles) can only be fitted with European Type Approved towbars if the vehicle has received European Whole Vehicle Type Approval.

Non M1 vehicles, light commercial vehicles and private imports from outside the EEC do not need Approved Towbars; however, most car and some Light Commercial Vehicles such as vans commonly use the Type Approved Towbar."

European type approval 94/20/EC | NTTA

Towbars & European Type Approval 94/20/EC

www.ntta.co.uk

So it's a question of finding 2" hitch with the type approval for M1 vehicles. N1 seems to be OK using the OEM Oz spec if Ineos will provide it to the UK market, swapping out the towball for a 50mm one. This might well be the same as the version for the US market?

The obvious solution would be to type approve it as an aftermarket part and sell it everywhere as the default option (just different towball sizes).

 

[Krabby]

It looks like NA and Oz have the same setup. It’s really nice because it’s so easy to swap different things in and out - tow ball, D ring, hitch basket, etc. it’s all a matter of simply removing a clip and a pin.

 

[DaveB]

It looks like NA and Oz have the same setup. It’s really nice because it’s so easy to swap different things in and out - tow ball, D ring, hitch basket, etc. it’s all a matter of simply removing a clip and a pin.

Particularly different height hitches and tow ball or swivel mount

 

[DenisM]

It looks like NA and Oz have the same setup. It’s really nice because it’s so easy to swap different things in and out - tow ball, D ring, hitch basket, etc. it’s all a matter of simply removing a clip and a pin.

You're right Krabby -it's certainly easier to rig but it's not quite the same... the NA tow hitch is 1 7/8" =47.6mm whereas the Oz Design Rules specify 50mm thus would not comply. (1 7/8" ball is a loose fit in the standard 50mm coupling). Apparently that's now being addressed' by the local (Oz) IA office.

 

[DCPU]

Have you got that the right way around?

 

[Krabby]

My receiver is 2” but some trucks have 2,5 and Super Dutys might have 3”. As for ball size itself that all varies but you might be right that the standard ball is 1-7/8”.

 

[DCPU]

It looks like NA and Oz have the same setup. It’s really nice because it’s so easy to swap different things in and out - tow ball, D ring, hitch basket, etc. it’s all a matter of simply removing a clip and a pin.

It's a good setup. I towed heavy trailers behind my Discovery with it for many years (before the law change).

The popular solution, to achieve the same swappability, in the UK has been the Dixon Bate removable drop plate:

You can even run 2 different systems at the same time!

 

[DenisM]

My receiver is 2” but some trucks have 2,5 and Super Dutys might have 3”. As for ball size itself that all varies but you might be right that the standard ball is 1-7/8”.

The Australian brochure listed the standard towing arrangements as 1 7/8"NAS. I and others independently had email correspondence with IA early on pointing out that the specs required amendment for the Australian market so as to compliant with the Australian Design rules. I haven't looked at the configurator or brochure for quite a while but to the best of my knowledge it's still showing the 1 7/8" spec.

 

[DCPU]

If it's actually 50mm in Oz then that's even simpler for the UK market.

 

[Krabby]

I just checked the US brochure and you’re right that it shows 1 7/8” but every truck I’ve ever owned has been 2” and that includes a GMC 1500, 3 F150s and a Rubicon.

 

[DaveB]

You're right Krabby -it's certainly easier to rig but it's not quite the same... the NA tow hitch is 1 7/8" =47.6mm whereas the Oz Design Rules specify 50mm thus would not comply. (1 7/8" ball is a loose fit in the standard 50mm coupling). Apparently that's now being addressed' by the local (Oz) IA office.

Yes. I was told will be 50mm in Australia by the main man

 

[MacBlooby]

Anyone checked if power exists for rear winch as standard fitment or do we need to retro fit ?
visions of cables converted from jump leads direct to battery.

 

[ECrider]

Is it not to be plugged into the Nato socket?