We have had our td4 2002 hippo ( freelander) for a few years now and it towed my bailey pageant 91 2 berth well, however we have now got a newer van lunar zenith 4 2005 and I don't like towing it. It feels to light, and not as joined to the car, I know all vans feel different but I'm beginning to wonder if I'm doing somthing wrong, I've checked the nose weight I pack it carefully and put heavy items in the car, I've towed horses all my life with different cars discos were the chosen vehicles back then, so im not a novice tower, but I'm really bot enjoying the experience even as a passanger I'm not liking the tow, could it be that the van is still to light and should I put more in it.I love my new van so that won't be going anywhere, but I'm really not liking at all and it's putting me off. Hubby says it's fine but it isn't but he says it is a bit different
please advise as to what I'm doing wrong as it's really getting me
I can't even feel my van on the back of my car! The only reason I know I'm towing it is when I look into the rear-view mirror! Mine is a microlite caravan though. Maybe it's just something you'll get used to, Murano, as it seems you've been towing heavier things up to now?
If you have ever towed a small trailer, how does it compare to that? Does it feel stable, etc. I think it's simply just lighter than what you're used to.
In what way does it feel "light"? Does it seem to sway a bit from side to side?
Many years ago, we changed from an old Elddis to a new, ABI Monza 5-berth. This seemed very skittish. The fifth berth, which we didn't use, was like a full sized door which hinged up along the rear, offside wall of the van. I removed this fairly heavy bunk, and the difference in stability was amazing.
We have the same van, a 2006 Zenith, and the first time we towed it back from the dealers that too felt 'Bouncy' when empty. We then had a motormover fitted, and bought a Bulldog leaf type stabilizer for it, loaded it up with most weight low and towards the front, and it now tows fine.
Could it be that your hitch is not entirely level, or as in the case of our old Coachman/4x4 combination, it requires a rubber shock absorber device fitting between the tow ball and the bracket as recomended by some caravan manufaturers when towing with a 4x4?
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
Thanks all for your advice, I am used to heavy towing weights and wondered if that was it but I'm not sure, it didn't really sway as such but it felt odd, with my old van I always knew she was there and I do with the lunar but there is somthing I can't quite put my finger on, she is also taller than my last van.
Romanygirl it is very bouncy like you said yours was at first , we have a bulldog stabillizer and it's being fitted at the w/e and also you make a good point about moving the stuff forward I'm wondering if I need to get the nose weight up a bit more, the lunars are extremely light and she is completly different from our old girl
going to have a shift about over the weekend and see what I can do, also going to research the towball thing,
thanks all again
Donna
Navver the last van didn't have a stabilizer but we have got one for this van so going to fit it at the weekend it's a bulldog
I'm going to have a try about at the w/e and see if there is somthing I can do or maybe I've just got to get used to it, I hope I can do somthing as I really love towing and don't want to be put off
We changed from a combi camp to a Hymer Nova 390 & I just wasnt happy how it towed. We but the heavy things in the car to keep the nose weight down. However coming back after Easter away we put the awning & poles (25kg)in the caravan on the floor at the front & the difference was remarkable, it towed like a dream. Its worth a try.
Keep the noseweight to the maximum permissible. This is (Ithink) 7% of the van's MTPLM, or less according to the towcar's max. allowance.
Example: our Coachman has a MTPLM of 1430 kg, giving a noseweight of 100 kg. But the towcar has a maximum allowance of 75 kg on the towball, so 75 kg is our allowable noseweight.
Beyond that, you will have to experiment with how you load the van. Caravans are designed with stability in mind, so you should be successful in finding a situation where you are happy with your van.
Is the suspension different, on very old caravans they had a trailing arm, spring and shocker system, (simlar to a car rear) most new ones just have rubber "indespension" type things now.