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Just had an offer accepted on a Bailey Ranger.  Was expecting to go & pick it up this weekend and realised I need a tow bar!

So what exactly do I need to be able to tow it?  A friend said to get a stabiliser (which we do want) and something about making sure it fits the towbar as he had to change his towbar after adding a stabiliser.

I have no idea really what I'm on about :) so any advice very much appreciated.

First thing is to check your car is suitable to tow it. What car have you got and which Ranger have you bought.

Advice for beginners is not to use a stabiliser because it masks the effect of bad loading.

You need a towbar and towball. Does the van have a stabiliser fitted. If it has an Alko stabiliser you will need a towball with a slightly extended neck. This will fit whether or not it has a stabiliser.

You need the correct electrics. Does the van have a 13 pin plug fitted or a 12S and 12N. Your car needs to have the correct socket or sockets. You can get adaptors for one to the other.

As a minimum you must have the road lights working. That is lights, brake lights and indicators. In addition you can run the caravan fridge and charge the caravan battery whilst towing but this is not essential.

Thanks nawer,

I've checked the weight thing, I have a Toyota Verso and worked out that the Bailey Ranger 470 was about the only one I could tow.

It doesn't have a stabiliser fitted.  Is there a certain type of towbar that's recommended?  Where is best to have a towbar fitted - my local Toyota dealer?

I don't know about the electrics, will find out tomorrow.

Hi Personally I would look in yellow pages for a local towbar fitter.Your toyota dealer will be happy to fit a towbar for you but will be much more expensive than your local fitters whom toyota probably use anyway but make sure that it is a known make of towbar such as towsure or witter to name only two .good luck and welcome to the forum and as has been said on here many times the only silly question is the one you don't ask

                                                                       doug

Quote: Originally posted by Dreadnought on 15/1/2010

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Hi.you don't mention If your car is automatic or manual transmission .If it is an auto you may well need an oil cooler fitted to the gearbox to tow a caravan.Check your vehicle handbook or ask your dealer for advice .

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nawer, I have a manual Toyota Verso (kerb weight 1505kg, tow capacity (braked) 1300kg) and I've bought a Ranger 470/4 (1170kg).  If the 85% rule is of the kerb weight then I can pull 1280kg, however 85% the tow capacity is 1105kg which is under.

Thanks for the advice pamanddoug - I've called around for a few quotes and I'm sure I'll have saved money avoiding Toyota.

Lorraine

Quote: Originally posted by Jax365 on 15/1/2010

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Quote: Originally posted by Dreadnought on 15/1/2010

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Hi.you don't mention If your car is automatic or manual transmission .If it is an auto you may well need an oil cooler fitted to the gearbox to tow a caravan.Check your vehicle handbook or ask your dealer for advice .

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My towcar is an automatic nissan almera. It came complete with towbar (second user) but I haven't towed with it yet, although my outfit is a max weight 600kg Kip Kompakt. Do I need to be worried about this - how do you know if you need one - short of going ahead and breaking down!

this place seems to know what it's talking about but it mentions whether or not you have air con - does that make a difference to the engine overheating???

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