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Subject Topic: tail wagging dog
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30/3/2014 at 4:02pm
 Location: barnsley
 Outfit: 2010 mondeo 1997 swift challenger 440
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Guys
Im in sunny cleethorpes at the moment and on the way here 55mph and the car was wagging about all the time I let off the gas and it settled down is there anything I can do to stop this happening noseweight is on the money and the caravan is loaded ok I think my outfit is a toyota avensis 2.0vvti t-spirit petrol 55reg and van it a 1998 swift challenger 440se

advice would b welcome as coming home in morning
steve


30/3/2014 at 5:31pm
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
 Outfit:  Swift Major 4SB
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Are the car tyre pressures correct for towing? It makes quite a difference on some cars. Have you got a lot of weight in the boot of the car? If the nose weight is correct I can't think of anything else to check but I'm sure other members will be along shortly with other suggestions.

Rob


30/3/2014 at 6:00pm
 Location: between here & there
 Outfit: 2 berth corniche 15 2 x-type jag
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at that speed I wouldn't have expected you'd have any problems but I'm no expert.

have experienced snaking once with our outfit, upon checking it turned out one of the rear tyres on my tow car was a good 15psi lower than the rest , once I'd equalised the tyre pressures I had no more problems .

another thing that may have contributed is the type of hitch your using i.e. standard or alko, if it's an alko hitch, what condition are the friction pads in ?

if a standard hitch , are you using any type of anti-snake device , such as the 'leaf spring' type , again what condition are the friction pads in ?

another thing to consider would be the weight of your 'van against the kerb weight of your car, if the 'vans weight is above 85% of the kerbweight of your car ,this could give you the cause instability issues.

-------------
no tin tent outings booked as yet ,just another cruise in Sept' booked so far


30/3/2014 at 6:46pm
 Location: barnsley
 Outfit: 2010 mondeo 1997 swift challenger 440
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Im using alko aks 1300 hitch pads were changed in the winter noseweight is around 65kg car can take 75 kg I think I will try and make sure the tyre pressures are the same when we go home and see how I go the only other thing I can see is the rear suspention sits very low when pulling the van this time there are 3adults 1child and the mutt this never happened with the old van but I think its below 85% even with the new van


30/3/2014 at 6:59pm
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 Outfit: 
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If car is ok for 75kg then set it to that, the more noseweight the better within limits. There will always be some movement while towing though. Set tyre pressures to max loaded for car.


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30/3/2014 at 7:14pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
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Heavy stuff above the axle is a must.

Any heavy stuff at the rear ?

Was it windy ?

Trucks passing will cause sway.

A high towball?

-------------
Animals have feelings..

JEFF................


30/3/2014 at 7:42pm
 Location: Derbyshire
 Outfit: Adria Altea 542DT
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As above - check your tyre pressures.

Make sure that the car tyre pressures are set to the fully loaded pressure. This is quite a bit higher than the standard pressure. If you don't have the pressure info then any tyre dealer should be able to give you the info. I went to ATS and they were very helpful.

I found that have the correct pressures in the car and van made a huge difference.





30/3/2014 at 8:11pm
 Location: Mid Wales
 Outfit: Coachman Vip 520
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Dont know if its any help, but some cars, need their rear tyres 3psi higher than normal.

-------------
Enjoy life while you can, none of us know what's round the corner!


30/3/2014 at 9:04pm
 Location: West country
 Outfit: Mondeo
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3 adults, a child and a dog in the car. You say the rear suspention sits very low. Maybe the back axle is overloaded and you need to redistribute the load in the car.

Have you a lot of heavy stuff in the boot or on a roof rack or 3 bikes strapped to the back of the car.

Sometimes it's better to have heavy stuff in the van over the axle rather than in the car boot.



30/3/2014 at 9:19pm
 Location: barnsley
 Outfit: 2010 mondeo 1997 swift challenger 440
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Just clothes and tv in boot thaught it was best to load car rather than caravan just 1bike allready goes in van with gas bottle and porch awning aquaroll and wastemaster in toilet above axle is it worth putting clothes in van and leaving car boot empty
cheers for all advice

steve


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31/3/2014 at 8:34am
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
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If you can go to another 10kg noseweight then take stuff from boot & add it to caravan to achieve that & see how it goes. As pointed out, tyre pressures to fully laden for car, figures in handbook or on door jamb & also ensure caravan tyre pressures are correct.


31/3/2014 at 10:51am
 Location: sunny south east!
 Outfit: Coachman
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Agree with above check tyre pressures (when cold) are at max per handbook or door plate and check caravan tyre pressures and then aim for high a nosweight as car allows of 7% whichever works

If still problems then get rear suspension checked out as they are nearly 10 years old and if lots of towing could require replacing, especially if sitting low

All of this assumes you have checked laoded weights and such of course


31/3/2014 at 10:54am
 Location: Northern Ireland
 Outfit: Sterckeman Alize Concept CP480
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Sorry if this is 'grandmother and eggs' territory ... but I presume you are not greasing your towball, and that the ball is dry and cleaned (ultra fine sander)?
Anti snake devices are useful, but, should never replace correct loading and balancing.
If your 'train' is not level, then it will create problems ... you mention heavy loading at back ... when loaded, is there a significant dip in the train at the tow ball? You should aim for a straight line.
You could try throwing numbers around on here


31/3/2014 at 11:40am
 Location: Argyll Scotland
 Outfit: 1997 Bailey Ranger 470 4
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Tyre pressure on the van tyres and also are these wheels balanced?
It could be that you have lost some or all of the balance weights on one of the van wheels!

-------------
Lobey.


31/3/2014 at 12:28pm
 Location: Blackburn Lancashire
 Outfit: Coachman Laser 650 and Discovery
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Sounds like it's suspension related. Look at the weight. Over the back axle. It would be worth going to a weigh bridge to check it with the people in the car, and the rest in the boot. Then add the noseweight of the caravan.

Low suspension brings problems, and will cause what you describe. Might be too much in the car, people and boot contents, or worn suspension.

Jim


31/3/2014 at 12:35pm
 Location: notts
 Outfit: avondale 470 2
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Had this problem on my 04 vectra,replaced rear springs and this cured it.
Tommy.



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