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Topic: New tow ball advice

Defender

26/7/2013 at 7:53pm
Location: Kent
Outfit: Bailey Senator 5 Carolina

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Two questions to the forum if I may........?

1) Have just had a new tow ball fitted to our new (to us) car. The towball is black all over. I assume that it is painted or otherwise dyed from the manufacturer?

I seem to remember reading that you have to 'clean' the ball part of the towball ie to make it appear stainless steel in appearance rather than black. Is this advice for any towball or only for those that have a 'plasticky' covering.

2) The main dealer garage has fitted the EU approved official manufacturer towball on the lowest of the three optional heights. The top of the towball is 355mm above the ground. According to the Bailey owners manual, the advised towball height is 385-420mm +/- 35mm.
I assume that this is to the top of the ball? as a 1994 EU directive states that the towball can be no lower than 350mm from the ground. To confuse matter still, the CC I believe measure the towball height from the centre of the towball?
According to Baileys figures, I should be ok, but it does not leave much room for ground clearance, especially over speed humps or positioning on uneven ground. I'm minded to get the garage to raise the towball by 50mm to the middle setting.
Does anybody tow a twin axle with the towball this low. Does it affect the handling (will it create less rolling resistance on the rearmost axle as the rear of the 'van will in effect be pulled higher as the nose is lower).
Our old car had the towball at around 440mm to the top (415mm centre) and the 'van was ever so slightly nose down so as to be almost indistinguishable. Will the additional 65mm drop make that much difference?
Regards

Defender

Simon100

26/7/2013 at 9:02pm
Location: Stockport
Outfit: Lunar Clubman SB & Mondeo Estate

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If you have an Alko hitch stabiliser you need to take the paint off the tow ball. The fitter should have done it for you, but you can use emery/sand paper like on any other painted surface.
Can't help with your other question though.

Defender

26/7/2013 at 10:05pm
Location: Kent
Outfit: Bailey Senator 5 Carolina

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Thank you for the advice re: cleaning the towball.

Early days yet for replies re: towing on a 'low' bar.

Regards

Defender

listerdiesel

28/7/2013 at 10:14am
Location: Rushden Northants
Outfit: Mercedes 614D Conversion

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I'd not tow with that difference in towball height, 65mm at the hitch is a LOT more at the other end!

Get it adjusted to the correct height.

Peter

Grampian91

28/7/2013 at 6:01pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram

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Depending on the noseweight and the caravans suspension having it nose down like that maybe lifting the rear axle on the caravan.

Its measured to the centre of the ball.

Level the caravan and check the height of the hitch. You want it slight lower than that. maybe an inch.

Not 3" though.

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