pitching when towing
Submitted: Monday, Feb 24, 2003 at 23:44
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sang
I am towing a 2000Kg caravan with a troop carrier, tow ball mass approx. 200 kg. Using 2500Kg tow bar with no equaliser or weight distribution hitch. The rear of the troopie sank by just 15 mm. when the van was loaded on the tow ball and I was advised in more than one occassion that I do not require equaliser or weight distribution. The van tows and brakes
well and there is no sway or instablility. Only problem is when I get onto rougher road, the troopie and van seems to pitch a fair bit. Would an equaliser or better rear shock solve this problem? Would an equaliser or weight distribution hitch accentuate this problem because it is essentially a spring and make the rebound worse? Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
Sang
Reply By: Jim - Thursday, Feb 27, 2003 at 14:46
Thursday, Feb 27, 2003 at 14:46
Hi Sang,
I'm last to reply as usual. I tow a van with 160Kg on the ball, and use a weight distribution hitch.
The rear of your troupie sank 15mm. The fron also rises a little. This removes weight from the front whells, and reduces the traction of the front wheels for steering and braking.
A weight distribution hitch makes no difference to the weight on the towball, but DOES replace the weight and the traction on the front wheels. This may be apparent only in an emergency, but that is when it is most needed.
Most states have a ball weight limit, beyond which a weight distribution hitch is mandatory. I suggest
check with your Transport Dept.
Best of caravanning and touring.
Regards,
Jim
AnswerID:
14064
Follow Up By: David - Thursday, Feb 27, 2003 at 22:09
Thursday, Feb 27, 2003 at 22:09
I've got a Patrol with a 1.5 ton van, 155 kg on the towball. Didn't think I needed an equalizer hitch and did 6500km in September without it. (No dramas)
Then I got talked into a hitch and was very surprised at the difference- much more stable.
Good rear shocks are essential- but you still will get occasional pitching-depending on the road.
FollowupID:
8408
Follow Up By: sang - Thursday, Mar 06, 2003 at 19:16
Thursday, Mar 06, 2003 at 19:16
Hi Jim,
My troopie, when not towing, is definitely front heavy as it has a substantial bull bar (with electric winch) fitted as
well as
snorkel and a second heavy deep cycle battery in the engine bay. To counter this, I would transfer up to 90 litre (90 Kg) of diesel from the front fuel tank to the rear tank as
well as filling the fitted
water tank with 60 litre of water (60 Kg) which is located 1200 mm behind the rear axle. When towing, I would empty the
water tank and transfer up to 90 litre of diesel from the rear tank to the front tank which is located 1500 mm. in front of the rear axle. This is not a big hassel because I normally tow only once per week.
When the van is loaded onto the tow ball, the front of the troopie does not lift any and the troopie seems to be more evenly weight distributed.
Regards
Sang
FollowupID:
8798
Reply By: Jim - Thursday, Mar 06, 2003 at 22:18
Thursday, Mar 06, 2003 at 22:18
Hi Sang,
I take your point. I can't give an expert opinion on the physics of that set up. It may
well be very stable.
Two things occur to me:
(a) I still think it would be worth while checking the legalities - it may be important from an insurance point of view.
(b) Would it be worth using a weighbridge to
check the difference in weight on your front wheels with and without the van hitched and then using the results to
check with someone like Hayman Reese or Tom Olthoff, who has a column on towing in Caravan World magazine, the source of most of my info.
Whateveryour decision, I wish you
well in your travels.
Jim.
AnswerID:
14594
Follow Up By: sang - Wednesday, Mar 12, 2003 at 17:50
Wednesday, Mar 12, 2003 at 17:50
Hi Jim,
Thanks for your advise, I had checked with Jayco & Hayman Reece, one said my towing capacity is 2500 Kg with 250 Kg tow ball weight max while the other is 3500 Kg with 350 Kg tow ball weight. NRMA insurance is 3500 Kg with 350 Kg tow ball weight.
The whole set-up was agrred by Hayman to be quite OK, but do suggest a weight distribution hitch to stop pitching.
Regards
Sang
FollowupID:
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