Deep in the woods in northern Sweden - September 1997
Beside the excellent range of Dixon-Bate we offer the ultimate setup for Landrovers that also are driven offroad. W&H makes an almost unnoticeable setup.
Good fit without drilling, corrosion resistant plating, 6 different heights can be adjusted.
The towing ball gets mounted on an detachable heavy plate that sits in an receiver hole. The setup is similar to the system commonly used in the States but is far stronger with larger bolts and heavier steel.
If not in use simply pull out an safety pin and slide out the complete setup. On the car only an inobstructive receiver hole is left and this makes an excellent attaching point for an tow strap. For longer towing the safety pin can be replaced by an M20 bolt. The setup is completely rattle-free even offroad.
Complete setup except towing ball (army-type pintle hook hitches can also be mounted) 10.000.- Flux (500.-DM, 280.- US-$, 400.- Can-$)
Detachable plates also available separately so you can mount an army-type pintle hook hitch one one and a standard ball on the other and switch from one to the other in less than 20 seconds.
We use this feature for some years now and are very convinced about it's capabilities. Made from the german company Orismat to the highest standards and approved by the german TUV it eliminates most of the reactions of the trailer.
It consists of three parts: One is fixed over the existing holes that hold the coupling on the trailer. On this part the brake pads of the setup are located. The second part is fixed on the base of the tow ball, either on the neck or on the mounting. A pair of stell bars made of special spring steel connent both and act as added safety device in case the ball breaks off. These bars can be taken off in less than 10 seconds without tools. The other 2 parts are not obstructive and may stay on trailer and car.
How it works: The up and down movement is strongly dampened by the steel bars as they permit no movement in this way, just flexing. Side to side sway is reduced by the brake pads that clamp on the steel bars and slow the movement. However steering or backing up are not influenced.
In daily driving: For attaching everything works as usual except that after hitching on the trailer you swing the 2 bars between their brake jaws and turn the 2 large knobs that adjusts the pressure the brake pads make on the bars. This varies with the weight of the trailer and the road conditions. A 1-minute-job.
Driving is much improved. Ruts on the motorway can now be almost ignored. Strong winds and fast corners loose their dangers. Average safe speed lies at least 20 km/h higher. All those little dips and movements are gone, it feels as if the trailer is part of the towing car. And for horse trailers: It's much steadier inside, the constant small waving motions are gone.
We've been from Norway to Yugoslawia, from Ireland to Spain on any roads (and in fact on no roads at all) and in any weather including snow storms, we made almost 25.000 kms with heavy caravans and trailers and I wouldn't drive without it any more...
All parts of this setup also available separately. Initial setup takes a good hour of easy work.
Price may seem a bit steep at around 11.000.- Flux for the average setup. But how much is worth your trailer? And how much your car? And your life? This setup is produced since a long time and still works wonders. I've seen some in service for more than 10 years and still working like new. Divide the price by so many years of trouble-free driving and you will be convinced. It can also be easily transferred from one car to another if you sell the car it's mounted on.
If you have more than 1 cars that tow the same trailer and want to benefit on both you can order additional ball mount rails for around 3.000.- Flux.
Setup differs by attachment type on trailer and car. Please call for availability. If not in stock it will take about a week to get.