caravan rocking

Slush,

Sometimes this can happen if the load in the van is not distributed properly. Usual principle is to keep the heavy stuff down low and as near as possible to over the van axle/s with the lighter stuff elsewhere.

Can't offer any ideas on it if the problem happens when the van is unloaded but what I said earlier can cause problems in loaded vans.

Hope you can get it sorted out.

Need to know what shock absorbers or damperers are fitted now - then have a better idea at what to reply to???

Barry

Also check that the axle(s) is not bent. Check that they are truly in the same plane. Check that the wheel centres are an equal distance from the tow hitch. i.e a true isoceles triangle.

This last one may sound silly. But there have been several instances where spring hangers on vans have been welded on to the chassis rails in the wrong place on one side only. This leads to the axle(s) trying to "crab" sideways down the road whilst your two vehicle is trying to pull it straight. THEN it starts to rock. Jayco is one manufacture that had a couple of these earlier this year.

Bilbo

Toe in will do it.
If one set of wheels is toeing in too much then the van tries to steer in that direction and then swings back. (Or toeing out)
Process keeps repeating, van sways.

An axle hanging back on one side does the same thing.

An A frame or tow hitch not correctly centred relative to the axle will also do it.

Time to put the van on a flat slab and plumb all geometry with string, chalk and tape measure.

Bob

Hi Slush,

My Windsor Rapid towed rock steady, sounds like yours has some sort of alignment problem. There should be no need for stabiliser bars to stop a rocking problem.

Check your wheels for uneven wear, this will give a good indication if there is an alignment problem. And as above, have a decent wheel alignment carried out, the independent suspension on the Rapid can be fully adjusted to get it just right.

Cheers

Captain

Hi Slush,

Measure your ball weight, (the weight the caravan pushes down on the towball) it should be about 10% of the total weight of the caravan. If it is significantly less either due to design or to your packing inside, you will get sway.

Mike.

Slush

The advice given is all sound, but a dumb question. Is the van new? Or newly bought second hand from a dealer? If so, check that the weight on the tow ball is ok, and if so drive back to the dealer and say "You fix"!

Max

Not sure of the suspension in the Windsor but I got the sugar glider setup in my van and when the bushes wore out in this it moved significantly from side to side. Exaggerated when leading up to an apex mid corner then I would get a thump when the van moved fully to one side of the suspension. If similar suspension you could ask about these bushes????

Good luck. Trevor.

thanks for replies, yes it is as if the van is top heavy. It has pedder shocks on it which i have taken off and had them checked. had the wheel alignment done and have no wear on tyres, but what i have done is put a 3kva gen on the back next to the spare tyre which makes it a bit heavier on the far side. the ball weight is still more than 10%.