Tow Tongue
Submitted: Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 14:29
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13
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cruiser
I have just recently purchased a 16' 6" caravan and as I have had my vehicle raised by 4", I have a problem with the van not riding level behind my vehicle.
In an effort to resolve the problem, I went to all of my friendly caravan and auto accessories dealers in the town I live in, to see if I could buy a tow tongue that had a drop off 4 to 5 " so that the van sat level.
Do you think I can buy one anywhere. NO WAY.
I was told that they either don't make something like that, or that they are not worth ordering in because quote "there is no money in it for me" unquote, or just wanted to sell me the all singing, all dancing $580 Hayman Reece Weight Distribution Kit, which I probably do not need (or can afford) (there must be enough money in that item to warrant ordering in)
I then went to the engineering shops around town to see if i could get my existing tongue altered to suit. Do you think they will do it. NO WAY. "Cant do that mate, if the weld breaks, you will come back and sue us"
What is this country coming to. The retailers are either to dumb and don't have enough product knowledge for what they do sell, or are just plain not interested, and everyone else is to worried about litigation to be able to help.
How can something so simple in my mind, be so hard in reality.
Anyway, I finally decided that I would make my own. Wish me luck.
Reply By: Member - Sand Man (SA) - Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 14:36
Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 14:36
Maaaaate!!!!
The solution is simple.
Give the caravan a
suspension lift of 5 inches :>))))
AnswerID:
76191
Follow Up By: Member - Chris M (QLD) - Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 14:37
Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 14:37
Man, that would be impressive!
FollowupID:
336007
Reply By: cruiser - Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 14:49
Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 14:49
Believe it or not, I have had that option looked at. problem is, Cost, Cost and Cost. Would have to replace the 4 corner wind down stabilisers, replace the shockies and
the springs as
well as have the annexe extended by 4 to 5 ".
Total cost: more than the $580 Hayman Reece Weight Distribution Kit.
But, you are right, It would look good.
AnswerID:
76195
Follow Up By: Member - Sand Man (SA) - Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 14:54
Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 14:54
cruiser,
Dare I say it!
Lower the vehicle.
FollowupID:
336008
Reply By: Banjo (SA) - Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 15:03
Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 15:03
I'm interested Cruiser - how does the WD hitch option help you drop the van front ?
Does it have a range of set up profiles ? Any way, even the best of the pro hitches have some machine welding in the equation - should not be too hard to design a modification - I have seen some serious drop hitches on Hiluxes and similar "tall" vehicles - anything in the Toyota parts list maybe ? (with a common mounting possibly).
AnswerID:
76197
Follow Up By: cruiser - Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 15:54
Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 15:54
Banjo,
I don't know the answer myself. I can only assume that because hitch is reversable and has 5 holes for different heights, that if fitted into the towbar in the correct manner and the correct hole position is selected, the right height might be achieved.
I think its just a case of "lets sell the thing with the most profit"
Stuffed if I know !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FollowupID:
336014
Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 15:24
Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 15:24
"...and everyone else is to worried about litigation to be able to help. "
Put yourself in their shoes, would you risk your house and lifes work for a $20 profit job?
AnswerID:
76200
Follow Up By: cruiser - Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 15:43
Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 15:43
Truckster,
I don't disagree with what you are saying, because I am fully aware of how much we have become a litigious society, and I have to say how sad it is that this country has followed in the path of the "God Damns"
One by one the standards and values of this country are disappearing. There was a time when Australians had a "can do" attitude, now, its a "Can't Do, you might sue" attitude.
Very sad.
FollowupID:
336012
Reply By: Leroy - Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 15:56
Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 15:56
G'day Cruiser,
I was faced with the same problem as
well. I found a Hayman Reese adjustable hitch which lowers the ball by around 4". It was $85 from ARB Northern in Melb. I called Hayman Reese and they told me about this. There is also a fixed hitch which lowered the ball by around 3" which from memory was around $65.
Leroy
AnswerID:
76205
Follow Up By: cruiser - Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 16:05
Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 16:05
Leroy,
Thanks for that info. First bit of help I have had. Much appreciated.
Will contact ARB now.
All the best.
FollowupID:
336016
Follow Up By: GOB & denny vic member - Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 16:53
Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 16:53
goodday cruiser
ring hayman reese and have a chat with them they are pretty good and will tell you what is available they sell through distributors so no high pressure sales
i have the weight distribution and have used it for 4 different vans on 4 different cars and its great because of being able to alter height without to many problems i think it covers about 10inches of adjustment and if you load up abit on the front you can lift it to level put the bars on and it all helps travel level
steve
FollowupID:
336021
Reply By: Muddy 'doe (SA) - Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 18:30
Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 18:30
My old man faced the exact same issue when he came down here from NSW to pick up a new van. Had a 75 series wit a standard Hayman Reece 50mm receiver. Went down to Halls Towbars and they had a 4" dropper in stock for less than $100. It is hauling their 21' van around Oz at the moment and still going strong!
Halls are on Main North Road at Prospect in
Adelaide. They may be able to help you.
Muddy 'doe
AnswerID:
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Reply By: mick - Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 18:35
Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 18:35
Cruiser,
I had the same problem, I went to Toms Towbars in Wangara (
Perth) with the van in tow and they made it to measure, $70 sits sweet now.
Hope it helps
Mick
AnswerID:
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Reply By: pjd - Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 18:52
Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 18:52
if your in victoria vic camper trailers can help 03 9744 4422
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Leroy - Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 21:12
Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 21:12
Info comming from all sides cruiser! lol
Leroy
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Croozer - Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 21:58
Monday, Sep 13, 2004 at 21:58
Cruiser,
I have one of those Hayman Reece adjustable height tongues for my vehicle, simply undo the 2 bolts and get the correct height and do them back up in the appropriate holes.
toooo eeeasy......
If you cannot get one locally try Car Van Accessories in Kogarah in
Sydney, I'm sure they would mail you one.
Stu
AnswerID:
76252
Reply By: Wizard1 - Tuesday, Sep 14, 2004 at 08:56
Tuesday, Sep 14, 2004 at 08:56
Whether you wish to have a height adjustment problem or not, the Hayman Reese WDH is an ESSENTIAL piece of caravan towing equipment. I shake my head an those both without one and others with underrated hitch setups.
I believe it was $500 well spent. I tow at upto 110 kph without any van movement. In addition it allows the weight of the van to be evenly distributed to all wheels reducing the possibity of front tyre scubbing due to lack of traction.
Wizard
Darwin, NT
Prado TD
Jayco Freedom
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Banjo (SA) - Tuesday, Sep 14, 2004 at 09:03
Tuesday, Sep 14, 2004 at 09:03
hmmmmm.......re earlier.....I nearly had to go into the WD hitch story when I was looking at a
Kimberley Kamper (heavy on the nose) but avoided this issue with the Campomatic. My clear picture was the WD hitch was simply for putting some of the hitch weight onto the front wheels (understood) while making no difference at all to the downforce on the hitch itself (plain physics). The issue of changing the height of the van's drawbar seems entirely seperate. A call to Hayman Reese might be a good idea.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: cruiser - Tuesday, Sep 14, 2004 at 09:59
Tuesday, Sep 14, 2004 at 09:59
Thanks to everyone for their input to my problem.
Unfortunately, I live in a rural area and I suppose that is one of the contributing factors to my problem. It isn't something they retailers have had to deal with before and therefore don't know what to do.
I have rung Hayman Reese and spoken to them and they have given me the part numbers to take back to the Authorised Dealer so he will know what to order for me. Hopefully, I will have a result by the end of the week.
Once again, thanks for the input. Much appreciated.
AnswerID:
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