Funny I thought the van was a 2006. And the car was eighteen months old.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
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Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Quote: Originally posted by LlaniDavis on 21/10/2014
That is the bottom measurement of the Standard, so should be OK.
I might suspect that your rear suspension is "tired" and the springs and shockers need replacing.
I,v had the van from new and it hasnt been over laden plus its only done 47,000 miles although i had a 800kg berlingo before this, that sat higher and would have been better imo.
Doesn't matter whether it has been overladen or not. Over time all suspension components wear, just that as it is gradual we don't notice them getting worse.
What is puzzling me is that there has been no mention of what the height of the caravan hitch is when the van is level,
Are you sure you are not trying to get it to ride nose up instead of nose down? because if you are you will be in big trouble towing nose up whereas nose down is fine as long as it is not too much, so some idea of the height of the caravan hitch would be more than helpful.
Its nose down mate, i think if i lifted it 2" it would still be nose down, cant measure the caravan hitch as its not at home, next time i get it out i,ll level it and measure the height, the berlingo only has 14" wheels, iam guessing the caravan wheels are much bigger.
I'd much rather have nose down. The reason why they don't make drop plates for cars is because they have to be type tested with the tow bar and that costs the manufacturers money so they don't bother for cars.
If the Berlingo is a van I don't think those same regulations apply as it's commercial vehicle.
You can use bathroom scales to to check noseweight rather than buy a proper gauge from caravan shop. Proceed thus..You need caravan standing unhitched just on jockey wheel slightly nose up on firm level ground. put bathroom scales under hitch. You now need a short, thick length of wood, 4x2 or thicker, cut it to correct length so wood can rest on scales with hitch on top of wood with caravan level once you have wound up jockey wheel until weight of caravan is just on wheels with hitch pressing down on scales.
What you are doing here is checking the amount of weight the caravan is putting onto hitch, this is known as noseweight & it is important it does not exceed weight specfied for tow vehicle. This weight will be in your van handbook & is 70kg.
Then read weight off scales in kg. Your Berlingo towbar max weight is 70kg so weight of caravan hitch on scales should be no more than this. If it is more then adjust load in caravan until weight is no more than 70kg & then see how it sits on hitch.