Nato hitch ?

[Cornish Rattler]

Hi guys
Can anyone tell me if one of these cheap copy nato hitches are ok to use with a Sankey trailer or am i better getting a genuine one

[fv1620]

Graham did you mean to post a link or a picture?

[Cornish Rattler]

Sorry meant to say ( the ) instead of (these )

[Cornish Rattler]

Sorry i ment to say the word ( the ) instead of the word ( these )

[fv1620]

Graham I wasn't trying to correct your grammar but I hoped you could indicate to what particular hitch you were referring.

Land Rover forums are awash with various types of hitches that have been fitted in civilian life & in service that are widely called or advertised as NATO hitches. But they are not NATO hitches as they do not remotely conform to Defence Standard 25-6 Towing Vehicles & Towed Vehicular Equipment which is derived from the NATO Standard STANAG 4101.

These bogus "NATO" hitches do not rotate & some are prone to unlocking in use, indeed very early NATO hitches had a few shortcomings that made them risky unless modified before the safer modern NATO hitches were manufactured.

[Cornish Rattler]

Graham I wasn't trying to correct your grammar but I hoped you could indicate to what particular hitch you were referring.

Land Rover forums are awash with various types of hitches that have been fitted in civilian life & in service that are widely called or advertised as NATO hitches. But they are not NATO hitches as they do not remotely conform to Defence Standard 25-6 Towing Vehicles & Towed Vehicular Equipment which is derived from the NATO Standard STANAG 4101.

These bogus "NATO" hitches do not rotate & some are prone to unlocking in use, indeed very early NATO hitches had a few shortcomings that made them risky unless modified before the safer modern NATO hitches were manufactured.

Sorry Clive it was the none rotating ones you see on ebay, i'm only asking as the tow hitch on the trailer rotates but not sure if the none rotating ones would do.

[fv1620]

Thinking more about this Graham, to cover your arse your best approach would be to fit the exact type of hitch originally fitted to your vehicle on manufacture. In the event of a failure or detachment you would have little defence if the tow hitch was something other than OEM.

[Cornish Rattler]

I was thinking of using a Dickson bate adjustable bracket with a reciever that fits the nato hitch and a universal one to fit a ball on just incase i get to tow something else.

[fv1620]

That's not without precedent:

EMER WHEELED VEHICLES Q 027/13 Truck, Utility, ½ Ton, 4x4, Rover Series 3. Mod, Instr, No.12 Variable height towing hitch. Feb.1982

[diffwhine]

That's a common fitment. I'd advise using a two pin system rather than a single pin. Not really so much for strength - more to keep it more secure to prevent rattles.