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Hi Grumbleflick,

I sometimes get this effect if the van is not correctly balanced, moving a bike or two from the back to the front works wonders, but it can also be caused by the free surface effect of loose fluid. ie. water sloshing about. Do you drain all water out including the toilet flush water and check your noseweight before travelling? If not, try this and see if this makes a difference.

Also, the pressure imposed on water heater seals with the water sloshing about inside can burst the seal, and cost a fair bit to fix!

It seems like you need to follow a combination of the above comments, all of which could be relevant to the bouncing.   I always adjust my tyre pressures to the maximumfor for a fully loaded vehicle - (car handbook).  Then ensure your van tyres are at the correct pressure. Load your van so as to get the noseweight as near as possible to the vehicle maximum (car handbook again) but don't exceed it.  Also, you must achieve this without excessive loading at the rear of the van.

After this, the performance of the outfit will depend upon the age and condition of the suspension assemblies of both vehicles.

Bertie.

Quote: Originally posted by grumbleflick on 14/8/2007

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Hi Bertie, the van is a year 2000 & our car is just 3 years old, so to me both not that old.

Thanks for replies... i'm off to get my pen for a check list.

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Those ages should rule out suspension problems then.  Sounds like the need for small adjustments to several areas in the way you set up for towing, rather than anything being mechanically wrong.

Hope you get it sorted out.

Bertie.