REAR Bar with Swing Away Tyre Mount

[KJ_andy]

Originally Posted by 02kj

Here is another similar "Hitch Type" that may be able to be adapted to the chasis. It looks to be the same Wilco design

http://www.tiregate.com/hg_series_0.shtml

I'm definitely liking this idea as you can still tow through the hitch extension
'This product meets the requirements for a SAE Class IV coupling classification. Max. vertical tongue weight of this product is 750 lbs. Maximum towing weight attached to this product is 7500 lbs.'

[glend]

There was a discussion on the ExplorOz forum about hitch extensions. Here is one comment that seems relevant:

"Towbars are subject to ADR62/01 and /02 and designed to a specific load rating.

Any modification, including extending the tongue, invalidates the original rating.

By extending the tongue (fitting an "extender") moves the fulcrum point and increases the torque component on the bar."

There is also an Australian Standard for towbar construction:

AS 4177.1

I tried to buy a simple hitch extension tube several years ago and every shop I called said they were illegal under ADR and some noted that the towbar manufacturer would have to certify its use, could not see that happening. Luckily I found the KJ LT tonque and that solved my problem.

I see a fundamental problem with bringing in any tyre carrier that works by attaching to the original ADR approved hitch, and extends the existing hitch point rearward for towball or recovery hitch fitting. The original rating of the vehicle hitch will be made invalid by the attachment of the new device. The new device (tyre carrier hitch) is unlikley to be approved (or rated) under ADR or the AS (static and dynamic testing regime). I suppose, like many mods that we do to our vehicles, that a lack of certification may not be an issue for some (or even many) people. That of course leads to questions about liability and insurance coverage (or not) if the tyre carrier hitch should fail at some point, or come into question in an accident investigation. On the other hand, if it was only ever used as a tyre carrier (and not a hitch extension for towing purposes or recovery) then it could fall into the same category as things like the Hitchmate (which is a cargo carrier but does not provide and extend the hitch receiver).

http://www.hitchmate.com.au/

When the tyre carrier is simply a 'load' on the original hitch (and does not extend), and complies with the towball weight limitations then it should be legal. On a KJ 2.8L CRD that towball weight factor is 280kg. Of course the rego plate and rear light visability regulations would also have to be met.

Certainly not playing at 'bush lawyer' here, that's just what turns up in searches that I did on the subject.

[cmohr]

What I'm thinking, is a swingway arm mount, with its own mounting, most of which is hidden behind the original bumper, with secondary fixtures prodruding thru the original bumper just as that one, to a swingaway arm, that carries a tyre and hopefully 1 or two jerry cans. This would attach independantly to the original hitch so as not to affect towing capacity.


One day my friends.....one day.

[glend]

Agreed cmohr, it would be a separate attachment to the towbar. When considering the combined towball weight factor of 280kg, are the attachment points on the rear frame rails a concern? Looking at mine, both the Mopar fuel tank bash plate and the towbar attach with the same bolts (three per frame rail). The addition of another steel component to that mounting location would probably require longer (stonger?) bolts (at least). I don't even want to think about the GVM issues of ever more steel being carried around when I obsess about getting a few kilos off the back door.

[KJ_andy]

Yes and the wait continues

[Jeep'ers]

G'day fella's, sorry for the delay in reply's. We built the platform for the rear bar which bolts under the tow bar (I dont have a skid plate) and we are slowly converting the cardboard bar to a steel bar. We have put the platform on and recovered it a few times to see how the recovery points held...... need a little more work but it is slowly comming together..... slowly but surely, will see if I can put the pics on from where I am. Im way from my home computer so may not be able to

[Nobster]

It's been awhile, what's happening with this???