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Subject Topic: Towing on Uneven Roads Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonEilee003
27/3/2013 at 7:12am
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We picked up our first van the other day and it is great! The only problem we had was when the road wasn't completely smooth. We felt each bump about 5 times more than when we are not towing.

Is this something we just have to get used to or have we set things up wrong?


Personwongers
27/3/2013 at 7:34am
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you may have your nose weight to high?so compressing the shocks to much,but yes you do feel the bumps/holes more when towing.

-------------
tony
that was a lovely summer


Personjohnjory
27/3/2013 at 9:16am
 Location: Lowestoft Suffolk
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Eilee

As wongers suggests your nose weight may be too high.

Balance your 'van so that nose weight is between 4% and 7% of the 'van, but not exceeding the "max draw bar loading" (max vertical down force on tow ball) for your car.

'Van weight is on a plate usually by the door or on the A-frame and "max draw bar loading" is in your car specs somewhere.


Personjohnjory
27/3/2013 at 9:20am
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PS

You can buy a nose weight guage, but the easiest way to measure nose weight is to put a length of wood under the coupling head and put the other end on your bathroom scales. To preserve your scales, might also be a good idea to put a piece of board on them to spread the load.


Post last edited on 27/03/2013 09:37:01


Personjohnjory
27/3/2013 at 9:32am
 Location: Lowestoft Suffolk
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PPS

Have a look ta this caravan loading advice to help you balance your 'van safely.


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Personjohnjory
27/3/2013 at 9:35am
 Location: Lowestoft Suffolk
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PPPS

For me the most important detail is:

".....weight at the back of the van will make it tail-heavy and unstable. If you get into a snake, that weight will perpetuate the pendulum effect – very bad news indeed...."


PersonGrampian91
27/3/2013 at 1:22pm
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Different tyre pressures for a loaded car?


Persontango55
27/3/2013 at 2:57pm
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The effects that you feel are what is called 'pitching' (bouncing up and down movement) and the older type leaf spring stabilisers effectively reduce this although it doesn't eliminate it completely but unfortunately the Winterhoff and Alko stabiliser hitch doesn't correct it. Pitching is quite normal but is something that you just adjust to when towing. As mentioned, check your noseweight as if it's too heavy it can start to make the front end of the towcar lighter giving less grip on the front tyres which can cause instability especially on a wet road surface and this can also cause excess pitching. Make sure that the noseweight is not too light either as this can also cause snaking in extreme conditions so you need to apply the noseweight as near to the towball weight limit of the towcar as possible. If you do this then you won't go far wrong.


PersonDavid Klyne
27/3/2013 at 3:11pm
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If you only experience of the new van is towing it empty them it will tend to bounce a bit. Hopefuly when fully load it should feel better.

David


PersonEilee003
27/3/2013 at 6:20pm
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Thanks everybody for their advice - we will be having a "play" with it over the next few days to see if we can get it better. It was pretty well empty so we will have to see how it goes when we put a bit of weight in it!

Thanks again!


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Persontango55
27/3/2013 at 8:38pm
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Quote: Originally posted by David Klyne on 27/3/2013

If you only experience of the new van is towing it empty them it will tend to bounce a bit. Hopefuly when fully load it should feel better.

David

Yes that's quite true as I also found after receiving some advice a few years ago but don't be tempted to fill your toilet tanks with water to make the caravan heavier as this is also bad practice. Just load your caravan with solid items such as chairs, empty water barrels and waste tank, saucepans, cutlery, plates and mugs etc. which is part of the normal payload.


Personiscacamper
28/3/2013 at 9:49am
 Location: Devon
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I agree with the others. You will always feel the bumps more when towing, but loading makes a big difference. Check your noseweight (it could be too high or too low - both can affect handling), and ensure the caravan is sensibly loaded. An empty van will always bounce around more than a loaded one. If it continues to be a problem, you might be able to get shock absorbers fitted to the caravan (most vans don't have them as standard).


PersonBig Al
28/3/2013 at 4:19pm
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I always take the If in doubt Flat out attitude to bumpy road surfaces


PersonLogan1
11/4/2013 at 2:16pm
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Sorry if I missed it but I dont think you mentioned what your van or tow vehicle is. Its possible they are not a match or if they are your tow vehicles suspension might need beefing up, there could also be excessive overhang from rear axel to tow ball which would again cause the problem you are discribing



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