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Subject Topic: Pennine pathfinder hitch height Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonZoylander
22/6/2017 at 1:30pm
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Hello. With my 2008 Ford S-Max laden I needed a 5 inch drop plate with my 2007 Pennine Pathfinder to make it level. On upgrading the S-Max to a 2014 model and enquiring to have a new towbar fitted I've been told that drop plates are now illegal and will not be insured. Without a drop plate the end of the trailer is near to scraping the ground and not safe to tow. What are my options?
Are there any legal ways to drop the towbar?
Are there any legal ways to raise the hitch?
Can I raise the suspension on my folding camper?
Perhaps my suspension is sagging - but it looks ok, how can I test this?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Regards,
Zoylander


PersonMrs mouse
22/6/2017 at 4:15pm
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Interested to read any responses to the. We have a Peugeot 5008 and our Pennine Quartz rides low at the back.

-------------
Linda

2017
May - 3 nights Yeatheridge.
May - 5 nights Mill Park, Ilfracombe
July - 6 nights not sure where yet
August - 2 weeks Croatia, Camp Lanterna.
2018
May - 3 night Yeatheridge campsite
May half term - 6 nights Cornwall
July - 1 week Cotswolds
August - 2 weeks Vendee.


PersonRob and Tina
22/6/2017 at 5:23pm
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
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Have you checked the tow ball height on the car? When the vehicle is loaded the height of the centre of the tow ball should be between 350mm and 420mm.

It is not illegal to use a drop plate if the tow bar has been type approved for use with a drop plate. Check the make and type of tow bar to see if yours is type approved to use a drop plate.

Have you checked the hitch height of the trailer? When the trailer is horizontal the hitch should be 430 mm (plus or minus 35mm) above the ground.

I would have a quick check of the measurements on your outfit and see where the problem lies.

We used to tow with a Galaxy which is basically the same as the Smax and never had a problem with hitch height.

Rob

Post last edited on 22/06/2017 17:27:09


PersonDerbian
22/6/2017 at 5:44pm
 Location: derbyshire
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Don't know when the figures for towball and hitch heights were introduced but my guess is that a lot of older trailers and caravans don't comply.

Even with the modern rules tow height can be way out if the two heights are at the extremes

I have a 2" droplate even though it isn't legal because the trailer tows better that way but have never been stopped.

Suspect that if everything looks tidy you are unlikely to be stopped.


Personnavver
22/6/2017 at 8:54pm
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You could see how much room there is between your wheels and the inside of the wheel arch. Suspension can sag over time especially if heavily loaded all the time as an FC is just by the weight of the FC.


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PersonTroon
23/6/2017 at 7:36am
 Location: Staffordshire
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Sounds odd, for sure — a five-inch drop plate is a lot! Our Cruiser-badged Pullman tows pretty much level behind our Ford Kuga (electrically-deployed towbar but presumably with similar design standards to the S-Max). It was also straight behind our Discovery, shown here with the car's air suspension in "access mode" so about 2" lower than when driving, hence the FC being slightly down at the front:



…and has been pulled behind a 2006 E-Class estate and a 2014 Range Rover without any obvious tilt.

Perhaps find another Pathfinder and measure a point near the wheels to the ground and compare with yours?

Are you sure you have the correct tyres fitted? This page suggests 94-rated 165R13 (so standard 80-profile) with unusually high pressures for the 2007 Pathfinder model.


PersonZoylander
23/6/2017 at 1:49pm
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Thanks for the above advice. Surprisingly I have contacted my insurance company and they are happy to insure me using a drop plate. They will update my insurance policy with this information and provide me with a letter as proof of cover.

I feel happy that the immediate risk is covered and can for now tow with a drop plate. I will however continue to investigate where the problem lies with my setup as if I can eventually tow without the drop plate even better.

Thanks again.

Post last edited on 23/06/2017 13:56:38


PersonZoylander
25/6/2017 at 10:50am
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I have done some measuring this morning after spending some time getting the trailer as accurately level as I can (luckily I have a level driveway). The hitch measures at 325mm off the ground unladen. This is 105mm (just over 4 inches) short of Rob and Tina's recommendation above (I've yet to investigate myself what the recommended height should be but trust that this is correct) and closer to 5 inches when laden. So it appears that the hitch is indeed too low. Understand that this height is only important in relation to my tow ball which I'm having fitted to my Ford S-Max on 10th July. On offering up to my neighbour's Skoda (tow ball at 495mm off the floor unladen) the hitch was 70mm too low - I shall find out on the 10th July if mine is even more out!!

On reading the owner's manual it says the suspension arm in laden weight should be horizontal or just below. Mine is at this position unladen so I think the low suspension is the problem. It does look a little low on the arches and I can see the motor mover is below level as another indication it has dipped. When the offices are open I will call Pennine and/or Alko to see how I stand warranty wise/options.

Any advice or experience on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Zoylander

Pictures

Post last edited on 25/06/2017 10:54:39

Post last edited on 25/06/2017 10:56:18


PersonRob and Tina
25/6/2017 at 11:39am
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
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The tow ball and hitch height are covered in EC directive 94/20/EC which will explain everything if you don't get too confused from reading it.

This is the important bit about the hitch height:
Section 2.2.1 – Class B coupling heads are permitted for trailers of the maximum mass up to and including 3,5 tonnes. With the trailer horizontal and carrying the maximum permitted axle load, coupling heads must be attached so that the coupling point of the trailer is 430 ± 35 mm above the horizontal plane on which the wheels of the trailer stand (see Figure 31 ). “In the case of caravans and goods trailers, the horizontal position is regarded as when the floor or loading surface is horizontal.

It sounds like the trailer suspension is the problem so best to get it sorted.

Rob



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