2014 GXL 70 Series

Submitted: Monday, Dec 30, 2019 at 19:03
ThreadID: 139472 Views:8672 Replies:7 FollowUps:7
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Hi, I have bought an 18 foot single axle caravan to tow around Australia, I have yet to pick it up so haven't tried it out.
I have concerns now about the way my 70 series will tow the van, I know it will have the power but I was more concerned with the stability on the highway because of the narrower rear end.
Is there anyone out there who can help by answering this question. WILL THE VAN WANDER over the road .

Regards Steve.
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Reply By: rumpig - Monday, Dec 30, 2019 at 20:26

Monday, Dec 30, 2019 at 20:26
Haven't found it a problem on bitumen roads when towing our 17ft Jayco Expanda with my dual cab 79 series, but mines a dual axle van and alot will come down to how your van is loaded / laid out IMO over the tow vehicles skinnier rear wheel track. I did notice my 79 was a touch skatey on gravel of The Plenty Highway when towing our Kimberley Kamper across it about 18 months ago, something I had not noticed in all our previous outback trips when towing the same camper trailer with my previous 105 series Landcruiser......hopefully the new diff / axle correction I did back in September has solved that issue now though, it certainly was a nicer vehicle to drive on Fraser Island in the sand after doing the correction.



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Reply By: Stephen F (QLD) - Monday, Dec 30, 2019 at 23:33

Monday, Dec 30, 2019 at 23:33
Thanks for the reply , nice set up. What company did your axle mods.?
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Follow Up By: rumpig - Monday, Dec 30, 2019 at 23:51

Monday, Dec 30, 2019 at 23:51
A mate is a part owner of a few TJM stores (mine was done at Coopers Plains), i had them chuck a DWIZ diff in it.....they’ve done a few of them aswell as JMACX conversions now.
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Follow Up By: Stephen F (QLD) - Tuesday, Dec 31, 2019 at 12:44

Tuesday, Dec 31, 2019 at 12:44
Thanks all good info.
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Reply By: Member - McLaren3030 - Tuesday, Dec 31, 2019 at 07:21

Tuesday, Dec 31, 2019 at 07:21
Hi Stephen F,

We had a MY10 76 Series and towed an 18’ 2.5 T single axle Elite Off Road van without any issues. The rear end of the 76 was standard, no correction, had no problems either off road or on road. Highway driving at 100 kph, the rig felt very stable, no sway. The only thing we did to the rear end was add “airbag helpers“ to correct the “droop” when the van was connected. Found this had a very profound effect on the handling with or without the van. Even before we installed the airbags, the van did not want to wander, but the rear end did want to “wallow” up and down a little, the airbags settled it down, as well as correct the droop.




Macca.
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Reply By: Stephen F (QLD) - Tuesday, Dec 31, 2019 at 08:05

Tuesday, Dec 31, 2019 at 08:05
Hi Macca, Thank you for the reply , your set up is how I imagine ours to be. Your comments have eased my mind a lot . I was going to put air bags in my wagon also, knowing you did and it made a difference is so good. Thank you again and Happy New Year. Safe travels.
Steve.
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Follow Up By: RMD - Tuesday, Dec 31, 2019 at 09:24

Tuesday, Dec 31, 2019 at 09:24
Stephen F
Even with suspension mods or airbags etc, for inherent basic stability, you must ensure the shock absorbers are actually working and working well to ensure control of the additional mass of load and van imposed forces. Most people have no idea IF their shocks are good or not. Most times shocks are overlooked but play the most important role in dynamic stability. If in doubt fit new ones. Shocks allow the steering to work properly and also the ABS and stability systems to be able to function. They are the number 1 item to be considered, unfortunately they are often the last item to be considered in the whole scheme of things.
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Reply By: Mikee5 - Tuesday, Dec 31, 2019 at 09:24

Tuesday, Dec 31, 2019 at 09:24
The stability of a caravan is dependent on its weight distribution. All heavy stuff over or near the axle, correct ball weight (10%), no heavy boxes on rear bar. Be mindful of how the balance changes as water tank and sullage tank volumes change, altering ball weight.
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Follow Up By: Stephen F (QLD) - Tuesday, Dec 31, 2019 at 12:45

Tuesday, Dec 31, 2019 at 12:45
Thanks that is good sensible information. Thanks
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Reply By: Keith B2 - Tuesday, Dec 31, 2019 at 11:46

Tuesday, Dec 31, 2019 at 11:46
The big enemy of caravan stability is oversteer on the towing vehicle. For this reason Collyn Rivers advises that the rear tyres should have up to 20% more pressure than the front, to ensure that the rig understeers.
Keith
AnswerID: 629267

Follow Up By: Stephen F (QLD) - Tuesday, Dec 31, 2019 at 12:48

Tuesday, Dec 31, 2019 at 12:48
Hi thanks that makes good sense to me I can understand what you mean regarding understeer. Cheers Keith
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Reply By: Phil G - Tuesday, Dec 31, 2019 at 23:30

Tuesday, Dec 31, 2019 at 23:30
I also have an 18' single axle offroad van and earlier this year changed from a 200series to a 78series Troopy.
Had no issues with stability with the Troopy even though the 200 was more powerful and a bit heavier.
Even with sand driving I've had no issues with the narrower rear track. I think the issue is a bit overstated.
And I'm still running the tall skinny 225/95 tyres
AnswerID: 629277

Follow Up By: rumpig - Tuesday, Dec 31, 2019 at 23:53

Tuesday, Dec 31, 2019 at 23:53
Put wider tyres on it I reckon you’d likely say different about the wheel track issue, I thought it was a non issue when running skinny tyres also. Running skinny tyres I could still notice the wheel track difference, just it wasn’t a major issue, but certainly was able to be felt when driving up the beach when not on hard sand.
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Follow Up By: Phil G - Wednesday, Jan 01, 2020 at 00:11

Wednesday, Jan 01, 2020 at 00:11
Yep, certainly not an issue with mine on skinnys but not sure why it becomes an issue with fat tyres.
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