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Topic: Can NOT get the nose down!

Rousie

26/7/2008 at 12:00am
Location: Derbyshire
Outfit: Mondeo 2.2 TDCI Ghia X & Eccles Topaz

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Car: 2005 Mondeo 2.2 TDCI Ghia X
Van: 1990 Eccles Topaz (900kg Max)

Been out on 2 trips now, and even at 75kg Max nose weight, the van still is nose UP... Not by a long way, and has never felt unstable really, but it's worrying to say the least.

We're traveling 700 mile round trip to Trevornick soon, and this is one of the things that is on my mind...

Had new Tyres on the Van, and the suspension also seems ok, so really thinking if that's the height of the hitch as standard with the van being old?

Any help would be much appreciated,
Dean & Poppy

wildie

26/7/2008 at 12:45am
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put a drop plate on it, there are few drop plates with different drops so dont pick up just any, we had to go other way by 50mm

Rousie

26/7/2008 at 7:35am
Location: Derbyshire
Outfit: Mondeo 2.2 TDCI Ghia X & Eccles Topaz

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Didn't think i could with a detachable bar?

Alan Partridge

26/7/2008 at 10:06am
Location: Herts
Outfit: Eriba Troll & Mitsubishi Outlander

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Quote: Originally posted by Rousie on 26/7/2008
Didn't think i could with a detachable bar?

Other than appearance, is there a problem, for example with ground clearance at the back of the caravan? If not, do you need to do anything about it?

wildie

26/7/2008 at 12:29pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Rousie on 26/7/2008
Didn't think i could with a detachable bar?

did you say you had one in the first post?

Tyreman

26/7/2008 at 5:49pm
Location: Somerset
Outfit: Pageant Bordeaux Nissan X-Trail

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My last caravan was an '88 Lunar and always needed a drop plate. Personally I think they changed the standard tow ball height around 1990'ish.

I don't know what can be done with a detachable. It's probably best to consult the manufacturer. Most of them are reputable.

It is said that towing nose up lowers the critical speed of the outfit before snaking occurs. But how much I don't know.

Tyreman

Rousie

28/7/2008 at 1:59pm
Location: Derbyshire
Outfit: Mondeo 2.2 TDCI Ghia X & Eccles Topaz

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Sorry, forgot to say it was a detatchable Witter Bar!

Seems odd really, and i can't think of anything to get it right!

It doesn't seem to tow badly or misbehave, but worries me more than anything, especially going on our first LONG trip to Newquay, mostly motorway!

Dean & Poppy

wildie

28/7/2008 at 3:51pm
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I cannot see how you can lower that on the car side of things unless there is a smaller swan neck, only other way is to higher the hitch on the a-frame some how or change to a ring and pin system.

Rousie

28/7/2008 at 4:16pm
Location: Derbyshire
Outfit: Mondeo 2.2 TDCI Ghia X & Eccles Topaz

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I'm wondering now if it's the suspension on the van, or somehow the height of the axle needs to be higher? The suspension seems to be fine though :(

johnjory

28/7/2008 at 4:53pm
Location: Lowestoft Suffolk
Outfit: Skoda Superb DSG + Elddis Affinity 550

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Check the height of the tow ball.

There are strict criteria for the height of the tow ball. Drop plates are meant to adjust the height of the ball to the correct distance fron the ground.

The figure I have in my head is 16 inches above the ground with the car fully loaded.

I'm sure that some member will be able to confim or deny this figure using millimeters and provide a link to some source of official chapter and verse on the subject. Best to wait till somebody does this or check with a local towbar fitter.

charlichoo

28/7/2008 at 7:25pm
Location: Yorkshire
Outfit: Back to Tenting in a Cabanon

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Quote: Originally posted by wildie on 26/7/2008
put a drop plate on it, there are few drop plates with different drops so dont pick up just any, we had to go other way by 50mm

I hope you don't mean that you used a a drop plate the other way up to raise your tow ball?

Apart from being illegal it is dangerous!

Chaz

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