Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums
Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
   Caravans and Caravanning -  Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Towing Elddis Elf with XF Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonV6Steve
27/10/2021 at 7:59pm
 Location: Chatham Kent
 Outfit: Elddis Elf View V6Steve's Profile View Profile   Reply to V6Steve Reply   Quote V6Steve Quote  
Joined: 17/7/2020

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   76
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
I have a 95 Elddis Elf and I've hitched it up to my XF and found that the caravan isn't exactly level on the road. I've read that the ideal position would be level and the difference from the front to rear is around 6cm, the front being slightly lower than the rear. I've also fitted a taller necked tow ball to reduce the difference.
I know there are height plates available but there's already a mass of metal on the rear of my XF and the plates look horrible!
Is this going to be a big issue for me or is the 6cm difference not an issue?


Personmarg6
27/10/2021 at 8:44pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View marg6's Profile View Profile   Reply to marg6 Reply   Quote marg6 Quote  
Joined: 11/8/2016

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3126
Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 3  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 15
Site Nights 2018: 0
its not meant to be totally level, in fact its meant to be lower at the front end, but the most important thing is to get your nose weight correct which should be around 60 kgs working on the mx load weight of the caravan being 900kgs and the nose weight needing to be approx 5-7% of that figure

the center of your tow ball on the car should be between 350 and 420mm from the ground


Persontango55
27/10/2021 at 11:01pm
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 450 View tango55's Profile View Profile   Reply to tango55 Reply   Quote tango55 Quote  
Joined: 15/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   9587
Site Reviews Total: 23
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 3  
Site Reviews 2021: 1  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 4  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 11
Site Nights 2021: 3
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 24
Site Nights 2018: 0
Slightly nose down is better than nose up merely because when the towing vehicle brakes, the caravan damper directly behind the hitch compresses and operates the caravan brakes (if they are set up correctly). If it's nose up then the action of the hitch tries to ride up above the towball which effectively doesn't make the caravan brakes function and likely to incorporate a snaking effect due to no caravan control. As pointed out in the above post, it's just as important to get your noseweight correct.


PersonJuanHuNose
28/10/2021 at 10:44am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Volvo V60 & Swift Challenger 565 View JuanHuNose's Profile View Profile   Reply to JuanHuNose Reply   Quote JuanHuNose Quote  
Joined: 09/4/2014

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   415
Site Reviews Total: 7
Site Reviews 2024: 3  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 1  
Site Nights 2024: 15
Site Nights 2023: 7
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 1
"Drop" or "raiser" plates will render the outfit illegal as the towbar will no longer be classed as type approved. If the noseweight is correct there shouldn`t be a problem unless the car suspension is absolutely shot.


PersonV6Steve
28/10/2021 at 1:59pm
 Location: Chatham Kent
 Outfit: Elddis Elf View V6Steve's Profile View Profile   Reply to V6Steve Reply   Quote V6Steve Quote  
Joined: 17/7/2020

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   76
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Tow ball height is 35cm. I started off with a nose-weight of 70kg but after a bit of moving stuff rearwards, though still in front of the axle, I'm at 50kg so looking good. I've got the air awning in the boot of the car. The XF has a large boot space and the suspension is in excellent condition!
All this shows that even before you load any personal stuff like cloths and bedding, its very easy to end up with an overweight nose-weight.


Advertisement



Personmarg6
28/10/2021 at 2:47pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View marg6's Profile View Profile   Reply to marg6 Reply   Quote marg6 Quote  
Joined: 11/8/2016

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3126
Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 3  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 15
Site Nights 2018: 0
i would be putting the awning in the caravan across the axle if i was you. that would bring the back end of your car up a bit. then you would be spot on


Persontango55
28/10/2021 at 7:21pm
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 450 View tango55's Profile View Profile   Reply to tango55 Reply   Quote tango55 Quote  
Joined: 15/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   9587
Site Reviews Total: 23
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 3  
Site Reviews 2021: 1  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 4  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 11
Site Nights 2021: 3
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 24
Site Nights 2018: 0
If the vehicle's recommended towball downward weight allowance is 60 kgs. then that's what you need to aim for and not 50 kgs. If the hitch weight is too low you are more likely to experience an unstable outfit which can lead to snaking when being passed by high sided trucks or cross winds. Moving items around inside the caravan will achieve this and keeping heavy items such as an awning directly over the caravan axle.


PersonV6Steve
28/10/2021 at 7:48pm
 Location: Chatham Kent
 Outfit: Elddis Elf View V6Steve's Profile View Profile   Reply to V6Steve Reply   Quote V6Steve Quote  
Joined: 17/7/2020

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   76
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
The only thing about putting the awning in the van is that it will start off over the axle but will soon slide forward and backward whilst on the move as its too large to go into a seat base. I suppose I'll need to strap it to something to stop this. I'll try this in the morning before we set off and take another weigh in.


Personmarg6
28/10/2021 at 9:07pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View marg6's Profile View Profile   Reply to marg6 Reply   Quote marg6 Quote  
Joined: 11/8/2016

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3126
Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 3  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 15
Site Nights 2018: 0
Steve believe me the awnings dont move around, unless of course your in the habit of hammmering the brakes on?


Personnavver
29/10/2021 at 7:54pm
 Location: West country
 Outfit: Mondeo View navver's Profile View Profile   Reply to navver Reply   Quote navver Quote  
Joined: 23/8/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4663
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
The bag of poles can usually rest against a sticking out bit of front seat. The canvas bag can go alongside them and will hold them in place.



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...

9495 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews] 



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement
Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder