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Subject Topic: JTCU - You Have Me Worried
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06/10/2009 at 8:21pm
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Nelmo they have an auto and its max tow is 2000 kg.

Ali



06/10/2009 at 8:25pm
 Location: Staffordshire
 Outfit: Freelander 2 2.2GS
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Sorry folks, but I just looked at that 105% figure and freeked!!!

Our Freelander is  registered as a 53 plate but it was the next model year....so I think the higher figures apply here.   Its the new model with the BMW engine and has been a great car so I would hate to ruin it.  The handbook is definitely saying 1640 to 1655 so that would bring us in at about 95% I think. 

Anyway, I will not be happy until we put it on the weighbridge and if the news is not good, I will look into the Alko ATC thing you are suggesting.

Thanks everybody.   Calming down a little now.  I had visions of waving goodbye to my lovely new(ish) Hymer which would have broken my heart I like it so much. 



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06/10/2009 at 8:29pm
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You'll sort it, enjoy the van.

Ali



06/10/2009 at 8:37pm
 Location: West Scotland
 Outfit: Fleetwood Garland and Almera
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alright me dear calm down and open another bottle of wine. if you are worried about weight go through everything in the van and put it into 3 piles, stuff that was used, stuff that would have been used if the weather was different and finally the stuff that you will never use again, shove the 3rd pile in the shed. you will be amazed at how much weight you can lose

did that in the tenting days and still do it with the caravan, still putting bits and bobs into the garage after each trip



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06/10/2009 at 8:38pm
 Location: Staffordshire
 Outfit: Freelander 2 2.2GS
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Thanks Snowy.....   I think you are right.    Just saw that 105% and went into a panic.  Thank god for UKCS...I'm feeling a little better now.  

Still going to get hubby to put the car on the weightbridge and maybe look into this Ako wotsit...if it makes towing the van more stable in an emergency situation I'm all for it.  After all with over a ton and a half of caravan on the back and my kids in the car, my main priority is safety.  No matter now much I like the new van.



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06/10/2009 at 8:52pm
 Location: Llanidloes Powys
 Outfit: Skoda Yeti SEL4x4 +Bailey Ranger 460-4
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As a Freelander Td4 owner myself...don't worry and certainly don't bother in putting it on the weighbridge, that will only confuse you more.
As stated. LR say max tow limit is 2000kg.


06/10/2009 at 8:52pm
 Location: West Cumbria
 Outfit: Ace Aristocrat caravan & Campervan
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Your hubby would have defineately felt if it was nstable, my friends tow at 96% and they know about it!! Dont worry you will be fine!! Happy holidays, think you need a weekend away to chill!!

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Jan:Braids Gretna, Feb Stanwix Park Silloth & Braids Gretna,


06/10/2009 at 8:54pm
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You have nearly 300 kg of payload so providing you pack sensibly and put some stuff in the boot you should get it under 100% if you wish to.

Ali



06/10/2009 at 8:57pm
 Location: roche cornwall
 Outfit: lynton 5th wheel
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so long as you dont go over the train weight of the tow vehicle there is no legal implication . too much fuss is made about being less than the weight of tow vehicle. if it tows ok thats it its ok. as you say you are pre 97 licence holders.

an iveco 3.5ton pickup as a train of 8.7 ton legally on a b+e licence so dont worry. have fun cheers alan.



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vwalan


06/10/2009 at 9:00pm
 Location: Staffordshire
 Outfit: Freelander 2 2.2GS
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Thanks Alan, we have already done this.  We tend to travel light (ha ha).  Don't like my vans cluttered up with lots of stuff we don't really need and leave this all behind in the garage.   I have been very strict when sorting out what's going in the new van (and more to the point, what's not).  The new awnings are of the lightweight variety and all the crocks are not (melamine).  The awnings and aqua roll etc. always go in the car anyway. 

Even when we brought the van home on Saturday (and it was loaded with 2 awnings, aqua roll, wastemaster, microwave, heavy TV, etc. etc.) it towed fine.  Okay it wouldn't overtake a lorry doing 75 mph but we don't do that anyway...it's dangerous and illegal. 

We have since gone through all the gear carefully and taken out all the stuff we don't really need  e.g. microwave (waste of time, don't need it), trolley jack (great thing to have but if we have a flat, we're in the AA recovery) and countless other things that the previous owner had left in the van...they were packing in caravanning).    All I really need in the van is our clothes, bedding, pots, pans and lightweight plates etc.  As I say I like to keep the stuff in the van to a minimum so I can't see we will ever reach the maximum of 1650 fully laden weight.  The only really heavy things in the front locker are the spare wheel and the gas bottles...everyting else has been removed -on OHs instructions!!

Pouring another glass now.  Panic over. 



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06/10/2009 at 9:16pm
 Location: Staffordshire
 Outfit: Freelander 2 2.2GS
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Third glass, definitely feeling better



06/10/2009 at 9:17pm
 Location: Hampshire
 Outfit: Hymer Nova S
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Al-Ko's ATC is a unit that can be retrofitted to your caravan either by Al-Ko themselves or a single mobile contractor.
It has its own inbuilt sensor and a computer that monitors any swaying. If the computer thinks a sway is developing that could destabilise the van it applies the vans brakes in a controlled way. The effect of this is to promptly haul the van back in line avoiding any snake.
I have it on my new Hymer as a safety insurance; I think the technology of this and similar units is so good at increasing stability that it ought to mandatory.
With your unit however you do the the sums its going to be the wrong side of the accepted norm; however with ATC it will be very much safer than most other units of lower percentages.


06/10/2009 at 9:21pm
 Location: Staffordshire
 Outfit: Freelander 2 2.2GS
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Thanks JTQU.  I'm about to Google it.   £500 is a small price to pay really if it's as good as you say. 

I see you are in Hampshire.   I'm in the Midlands so I'm going to try to find out if there is a local supplier to my area.

What kind of Hymer do you have?  



06/10/2009 at 9:25pm
 Location: West Scotland
 Outfit: Fleetwood Garland and Almera
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if you are carrying minimum kit you are probably close to 85% so pour another glass of red/white follow up with a dram chaser and enjoy your new van.. thats an order from the bigman LOL

lovely van the hymer, was in one once, certainly puts the brits to shame



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06/10/2009 at 9:32pm
 Location: Staffordshire
 Outfit: Freelander 2 2.2GS
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Incidentally, arn't the Hymer vans something else.   As soon as I walked into it, I was sold.  The whole thing just feels so solid and if we do end up having to spend extra £s on adapting the towcar or even replacing it, well so be it.   I think it it will be worthwhile as the van is just that good. 

Bottle almost empty now.....can't find the corkscrew for the next!



06/10/2009 at 9:33pm
 Location: Hampshire
 Outfit: Hymer Nova S
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Al-Ko are at Southam near Warwick.
Had the sister to yours the Nova 545 a 2002.
Now we have the Nova S 546 2008. I dont believe with the drop in the £ that it is imported this year. Its a wee bit longer than your and a heavy 1900kg !!
Both vans have been superb; we did over 1300 nights in the 545 and some 21,000 miles and it took the use well.



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