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Subject Topic: HItching up for the first time
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19/5/2006 at 10:52am
 Location: Zoetermeer Holland
 Outfit: Chateau 430 Nice
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Ahh, toilet to the rear, with portapotti full of pink stuff, awning at the rear, kitchen at the rear: that should do it. Caravans with kitchen and toilet at the rear always have a tendency to be light on noseweight, hence more forward loading needed.
Maybe also the spare wheel mounted underneath the caravan, back of the axle? If so that's another cause. Better leave it in the front locker for your caravan.

The portapotti top tank may be good for probably 10 to 15 litres, hence 15 kgs. Awning maybe up to 45 kgs. Kitchen is a weight factor, e.g. sheer weight of the fridge, let alone if it is loaded with food.
Travel with portapotti as empty as possible, maybe just a few litres for underway. Load the awning forward. You should notice a big difference already and probably enough difference.

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WL



19/5/2006 at 7:27pm
 Location: Kaptaja Izvorishte Bulgaria
 Outfit: Elddis Tornado 1980 LDV 400 2.5 City
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OK, mechanic didn't make it, is coming out tomorrow instead!
I plucked up the courage to go out and hitch her up, this time leaving the rear steadies just above the paving so she wouldn't fall on her rear end if the worst came to the worst. I'd completely emptied the caravan for the service so there was no awning or anything in her, the 2 full gas bottles were still in front.








This is what she looked like when hitched. I drover her round the block and reversed her back in but i still wasn't happy with that back end. I'm wondering if the LDV towbar is too high.All opinions appreciated.

Post last edited on 19/05/2006 19:33:10

Post last edited on 19/05/2006 19:34:08

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LIFE IS NATURES WAY OF KEEPING MEAT FRESH


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19/5/2006 at 7:47pm
 Location: South Gloucestershire
 Outfit: Avondale Kingfisher Super 1979
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I think that you could do with a drop plate just to take it down a notch as when you get the van on site she may ground out on the rear.


19/5/2006 at 7:55pm
 Location: Derbyshire
 Outfit: Bailey Pageant Disco
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We had that problem and found that the drop plate was the solution. Hope you get it sorted.


19/5/2006 at 8:02pm
 Location: Bristol
 Outfit: Lunar Quasar 615
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I can see why your biting your nails, even the dog looks worried!

If none of the numorous mentioned options work, you could always stay at home instead and get on with de-weeding your driveway,

best regards, Martin



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" Oh! but for the grace of God go I "


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19/5/2006 at 8:03pm
 Location: Kaptaja Izvorishte Bulgaria
 Outfit: Elddis Tornado 1980 LDV 400 2.5 City
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Drop plate eh? What does one look like? What kind of cost am i looking at? How easy to fit? Any pictures? Hang on, my stabiliser kit (that's not fitted yet) It has 2 sets of holes, would the lower set allow me to drop the tow ball???

Martin, that's not my driveway any more, i'm emigrating to Bulgaria in 2 weeks time with 'worried dog', bitten nails and caravan in hot persuit (i hope it's not infront anyway)

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LIFE IS NATURES WAY OF KEEPING MEAT FRESH


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19/5/2006 at 8:20pm
 Location: Paisley
 Outfit: None Entered
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A few people have mentioned the height to the tow ball, is this to the top or the bottom of the ball.


19/5/2006 at 8:30pm
 Location: Bristol
 Outfit: Lunar Quasar 615
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SillyYak, forgot to mention earlier, I went to Paisley way back in 1983 and sat some exams at the college of Non-Destructive Testing.

Back to your hitching problem, I would try the stabiliser first as this will not incur any cost outlay on your behalf as you already have one and as you say by using the lower set of holes, this could be the answer you are looking for, but don't forget the other comments about flushwater, position of awning etc,

best regards and Bon Voyage, Martin  



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" Oh! but for the grace of God go I "


19/5/2006 at 8:51pm
 Location: Yorkshire
 Outfit: Compass Corona 556
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Quote: Originally posted by SillyYak on 19/5/2006


Drop plate eh? What does one look like? What kind of cost am i looking at? How easy to fit? Any pictures? Hang on, my stabiliser kit (that's not fitted yet) It has 2 sets of holes, would the lower set allow me to drop the tow ball???

Martin, that's not my driveway any more, i'm emigrating to Bulgaria in 2 weeks time with 'worried dog', bitten nails and caravan in hot persuit (i hope it's not infront anyway)

Here you go, cheap and will stop the rear grounding, also the outfit will be much more stable without the nose up in the air.



19/5/2006 at 9:54pm
 Location: Kaptaja Izvorishte Bulgaria
 Outfit: Elddis Tornado 1980 LDV 400 2.5 City
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Ooooooooooooooh, pretty. Me want

I will speak to my mechanic who is now turning up at 10am and will see if my tow bar stabiliser will do the job as it looks exactly like that but with a 'thingy' on it. Gad, i can't wait until i know all the terminology.
steadies
grounding
drop plate.........i'm learning ha ha

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LIFE IS NATURES WAY OF KEEPING MEAT FRESH


Coeliac Awareness


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19/5/2006 at 10:42pm
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: Caravan now Sold
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the hight of the towball centre should be 350mm to 420mm to ground when fully loaded when fully loaded to max weight (directive 94/20/ec)

Towball Drop Plateswww.ukcampsite.co.uk/redirect.asp?redir=http://www.towsure.com



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the only silly question is the one you do not ask.



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