Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums

Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
  Trailer Tents and Folding Campers
Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Tow hitch height Post Reply Post New Topic
03/9/2024 at 9:37am
 Location: 
 Outfit: None Entered
View Fpgcamper's Profile View Profile   Reply to Fpgcamper Reply   Quote Fpgcamper Quote  
Joined: 23/8/2021

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   2

Site Reviews Total: 6
Site Reviews 2024: 1  
Site Reviews 2023: 5  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 5
Site Nights 2023: 15
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

I have two Dandy trailer tents and the tow ball height on both the cars I use for towing are too high, meaning the tents are towed high to low, from front to back. Any ideas as to how I can rectify the problem?
One car has a flange tow bar the other a fixed swan neck.


03/9/2024 at 9:44am
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View marg6's Profile View Profile   Reply to marg6 Reply   Quote marg6 Quote  
Joined: 11/8/2016

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3126

Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 3  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 15
Site Nights 2018: 0

between 350 and 420mm

The EC Directive 94/20/EC (The standard that all towbars are designed to) says that the tow ball height should be between 350 and 420mm from the ground with the vehicle in a 'laden' state.

how you fix that depends on where the problem lays is it the cars suspension? or is it the tow bar has been incorrectly fitted.


via mobile 03/9/2024 at 11:21am
 Location: walton on the naze e
 Outfit: Coachman pastiche
View SHANTY SINGER's Profile View Profile   Reply to SHANTY SINGER Reply   Quote SHANTY SINGER Quote  
Joined: 05/1/2008

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   243

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Hi, you can get a drop plate for flange tow ball. Easy to fit. Not sure about a swan neck.


via mobile 03/9/2024 at 11:33am
 Location: 
 Outfit: None Entered
View Amphitheatre's Profile View Profile   Reply to Amphitheatre Reply   Quote Amphitheatre Quote  
Joined: 03/9/2024

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   4

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Have you checked that the suspension on the Dandies hasn’t sagged?


03/9/2024 at 3:02pm
 Location: London
 Outfit: Lunar Cosmos 524
View Monty15's Profile View Profile   Reply to Monty15 Reply   Quote Monty15 Quote  
Joined: 17/9/2015

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2328

Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 6
Site Nights 2018: 0

Doing 'mods' to towbars has some risk, apart from the blindingly obvious of needing to be strong enough for the task (remember, someone else, like a subsequent owner, may use it for a much heavier load to it's manufactured limits!), they have been type approved at manufacture and subject to MOT scrutiny for years now, neither technically makes allowance for mods like 'drop plates' unless a manufacturer's option/adjustment! - risk of MOT failure!

It's also a questionable practice, as it makes the towbar close to unique to a particular trailer, when it's intended to be universal and suited to all trailers!

Now the trailer itself is a different matter, little regulation, and no regular scrutiny, so less risk of falling foul of anyone. It also makes the trailer more universal in as much as should be compatible with any tow vehicle. Two popular methods of 'levelling' a nose high trailer is to fit bigger diameter wheels (be careful to check adequate clearance especially when suspension compressed!), and/or put a spacer on the drawbar to raise the hitch. Hitch spacers are commercial available, and larger diameter wheels sometimes an original manufacturers option.

The above mentioned EU standard tow bar height is to the centre line of the ball! With many trailers, like caravans etc., the load on the towball is something like 75-100Kg so this lowers it's 'running/laden' height quite noticeable in some cases, plus loading the car lowers it further.


Advertisement

Handiworld


via mobile 03/9/2024 at 4:35pm
 Location: walton on the naze e
 Outfit: Coachman pastiche
View SHANTY SINGER's Profile View Profile   Reply to SHANTY SINGER Reply   Quote SHANTY SINGER Quote  
Joined: 05/1/2008

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   243

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

I wouldn't use a drop plate to tow a caravan but they are fine for a small trailer. The ones I've used over the years have been fine and made of 10mm steel plate. I've used them for years on tractors towing 30ft trailers loaded with 10 tons of hay bales. No problem at all.


via mobile 03/9/2024 at 4:36pm
 Location: walton on the naze e
 Outfit: Coachman pastiche
View SHANTY SINGER's Profile View Profile   Reply to SHANTY SINGER Reply   Quote SHANTY SINGER Quote  
Joined: 05/1/2008

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   243

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

As I say I wouldnt tow a caravan with one.


via mobile 03/9/2024 at 7:09pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: None Entered
View Fpgcamper's Profile View Profile   Reply to Fpgcamper Reply   Quote Fpgcamper Quote  
Joined: 23/8/2021

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   2

Site Reviews Total: 6
Site Reviews 2024: 1  
Site Reviews 2023: 5  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 5
Site Nights 2023: 15
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Thanks everyone. I can see drop plates and flange spacers but can't find anything on relation to drawbar spacers.


via mobile 03/9/2024 at 7:23pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: None Entered
View Amphitheatre's Profile View Profile   Reply to Amphitheatre Reply   Quote Amphitheatre Quote  
Joined: 03/9/2024

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   4

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

The problem with the drop plates is that they aren’t type approved so not legal to use if the tow vehicle was registered on or after 01/08/1998.


via mobile 03/9/2024 at 7:25pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: None Entered
View Amphitheatre's Profile View Profile   Reply to Amphitheatre Reply   Quote Amphitheatre Quote  
Joined: 03/9/2024

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   4

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

What I did on one of my old Dandies was add 1” spacers between the suspension units and the trailer frame.


Advertisement

Handiworld


03/9/2024 at 7:39pm
 Location: West country
 Outfit: Mondeo
View navver's Profile View Profile   Reply to navver Reply   Quote navver Quote  
Joined: 23/8/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4663

Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

I've got a Dandy Designer and use the modern higher tow ball with no problems. The dandy does slope front to back but being so small it doesn't seem to matter. The body is 1.8m x 1.8m with MTPLM 500kg.



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Trailer Tents and Folding Campers - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...














5530 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement


Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar


Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder