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When towing our Swift Challenger with our Freelander we noticed that as soon as we hitch up to tow the caravan tilts back.  We have checked weight etc but nothing seems to make a difference.  We also noticed that the van seems to snake a little if we go above 50 MPH even with a anti snake bar fitted.  Could the problems be related?

Is it because the Landy is quite a bit higher than a car so therefore the caravan tilts?  If so how can we alter it?

Thanks, Ally xx

Hi,

Yes, the general idea is that the van should site slightly nose down so that the air pressure pushes the van down on the road, not trying to fly it like a kite.

You can get a dropper that will aloow you to lower the ball height.

Mr Ulti-Mate

Maybe your tow bar is to high. We have a freelander and our van always tilts forward.

As for the snaking have you checked the tyres on the van lately, might be tyre pressure in the tow car, just a couple of things to look at

Hi

You can get drop plates from most caravan or towbar dealers (up to 6 inches) but they only fit what I call the standard towing brackets (ball fixed on by two large bolts - not swan necks or detachables) 

It concerns me that you start to snake around 50mph.

As said it is important for stability to tow level or slightly nose down but I suspect you might have more problems than the nose being high.

Is your caravan loaded properly with heavy weights over the axle - Most caravanners think of the awning as being a heavy weight ideally stored over the axle. This is correct but there are other items in the caravan. If you have a rear end wardrobe for instance and load it up it can cause a lot of problems. Do you have sufficient noseweight?

Personally I like the battery box, wardrobe, heater, kitchen cupboards and fridge plus the water heater above or close to the axle. It makes for a very stable unit.

Tyreman

The awning is stored over the axle, there is no wardrobe etc at the back and the noseweight is fine.  We do not load the caravan at all, everything is put in the back of the landy.  It is definitly about 2 or 3 inches too high at the front.

How do the drop plates fit?  We do have a "normal" towbar.

Hi Ally

First decide exactly how much too high your towball is.

2 inches is the minimum drop plate.

Purchase the drop plate. It's simply a (fairly thick) sheet of metal  with (normally) 4 holes drilled in it to fit the towbar mounting bolts. You'll also need two extra bolts (short ones). Toatal cost should be less than £10

Unbolt the tow ball from the car. Bolt the drop plate to the towbar in its place through the 2 top holes. Bolt the tow ball to the drop plate through the 2 bottom holes. Job done.

The nuts/bolts should be tightened to a torque of around 160lb.ft. (if my memory is correct). This is very tight and is best done with a long wrench.

Tyreman

Hi Michael

I agree with your comment on tow ball height but I believe this to be a change from years ago.

My previous caravan was a 1988 Lunar and I had to use a 3 inch drop plate on every car I towed it with. I sold it privately and the drop plate went with it to fit the new owners car (exactly the same problem).

I assume that sometime between 88 and now a new standard was brought out.

Tyreman

I assume that sometime between 88 and now a new standard was brought out.

Tyreman

true some towbars are not allowed a drop plate now unless test with one and passed off, since the rules of standardisation to a particular make of car came in,if you have a ford mondeo the towbar must be made for that car.directive EC94/20.the rules are very strict too and heavy fines abound.to think i used to make my own from angle iron and stick a towball on it. 

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/redirect.asp?redir=http://www.towsure.com/bespoke/eclipse.html

Hi

Michael is correct with newer cars. The tow bars are marked and can easily be identified.

However when it comes down to it I think "Common Sense" can be above the law. If you tow nose up it aids instability. In this case apparently causing snaking at around 50mph. I'd use a drop plate and would defend it to the besty of my ability in Court (if it ever got that far).

I still had the Lunar with my current Tug and used a drop plate without any conscience. I still use a drop plate whenever I use my car trailer.

Tyreman