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Topic: Drop plate

acampingwewillgo

02/7/2017 at 8:55pm
Location: Chiltern Hills
Outfit: Bailey Senator Wyoming

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Hi. I've picked up my new Nissan NP300 which has been fitted with a Westfalia 2 hole flange towbar, I fitted my new alko towball (with the washers in the right place - thank you all who replied to my previous post!!). So my next issue is the towball is too high, it measures around 51cm to the top of the ball and around 49cm to the centre of the ball. I took it back to Nissan for them to see and the technician guy just shrugged his shoulders and said they are always that high!! As I understand it all cars have to have the towball fitted to between 350 - 420mm but commercial vans, pick ups etc are exempt. I've got to lower the towball so I've purchased some 4 hole drop plates in 2", 3" and 4" sizes. I've emailed Nissan HQ and Westfalia to see if this towbar has been type approved to be fitted with a drop plate but as yet I haven't had a response. Does anyone have any advice on this as I want to make sure I'm doing the right thing. I suppose worse case scenario would be to have a different towbar put on!!! Thanks in advance.

Grampian91

03/7/2017 at 12:36am
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram

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It wont have been type approved with a drop plate. The only ones i know that come with multi point fitting drop plates are LandRover vehicles.

navver

03/7/2017 at 8:44pm
Location: West country
Outfit: Mondeo

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The height will be with the vehicle loaded. If it's not loaded, it will be higher.

Hitching the van on will lower it. Does it look excessively nose high when loaded.

duckjam

05/7/2017 at 8:24pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Coachman Amara 520 4

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I have a Ford Ranger with a Witter towbar.I had the same issue with the ball being too high.
I got an adjustable drop plate from PF Jones in Manchester.

The Witter is type approved for a drop plate

Just had a look on PF jones website.They don't seem to do a Westfalia, but if you needed the do the Witter towbar, with an adjustable height available for around £200.
Maybe worth changing yours to the Witter? Wouldnt need any electrical work as you have already had that done.

Hope it helps

Post last edited on 05/07/2017 20:29:47

Post last edited on 05/07/2017 20:30:10

acampingwewillgo

08/7/2017 at 12:37pm
Location: Chiltern Hills
Outfit: Bailey Senator Wyoming

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Thanks for the replies especially DUCKJAM, that's really good to know about the Witter tow bar with the compatible drop plate. I've now had my truck fitted with a hardtop which has brought the tow ball down to 46 cm (centre of the ball). So I'm hoping 2 heavy dogs plus the awning in the back should bring it down a bit more. Otherwise I'll be looking to change it to a Witter!!

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