Level riders?

Submitted: Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 12:59
ThreadID: 45829 Views:4817 Replies:5 FollowUps:5
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Some advice from caravan owners please -

I have ordered a Coromal Pioneer offroader (tandem wheels & 1.35 tonne unladen) which has a Treg hitch and I am trying to decide whever I need level riders or not. The tow vehicle is a Patrol TD6 and as I will be going offroad with the van, I thought that putting on level riders would negate the benefit of having a Treg hitch - ie it would limit the angle and flexibility that the hitch is designed for.

I was told by the caravan dealer that I could put in a set of Polyair bags in the back of the Patrol, however I don't see that they will do the same job as level riders do - ie spread the weight from the back of the vehicle onto the front wheels evenly.

What do other offroad caravan owners do? Do you have level riders and just take them off when you go bush? The Coromal apparently has an excellent suspension system that stops the sway effect so apart from a sag in the back it seems that driving slowly on bush tracks would not be a problem.

Thanks for any assistance.
Peter
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Reply By: pepper2 - Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 13:27

Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 13:27
i have coromal 420 magnum "öff road"' weighs about 1100kg towed with patrol no level riders no problems at all,do have air bags in the patrol.
BTW mine has 60 litre water tank i am replacing it with 100litre tank fits in same space under the van,the new tank costs $200,if you are buyiny new van might be worth asking for a bigger tank should only cost around $50/$100
AnswerID: 242036

Follow Up By: pprass - Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 13:44

Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 13:44
The Pioneer has an 82 ltr tank, but we were advised to get a second 82 ltr tank installed so we did. Glad to hear that it was a wise choice. I guess it will come in handy for the showers out in the bush.

I'm guessing that the van will be around 1.8 - 2.0 tonne when fully loaded (excluding our wine supplies!) so it may be a different story to the lighter vans. Currently we have an old 15 ft van and we tow it all over the place without any sway bars or level riders without any problems.

Thanks for the response.
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FollowupID: 503035

Reply By: Member - Dalb (SA) - Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 14:33

Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 14:33
Peter
I have a LC 100series TD and tow a Coromal 535 tandem off-road pop top van. As I already had the load levellers, I continued to use them when I swapped from my Falcon to the LC recently. The Coromal sits like a dream with or without the levellers, but I use them just in case they may help in an emergency situation.

I think the real question for you is how will your loaded van affect your suspension - If the tails drops at all, then you will need to either beef up the suspension and/or use levellers. You probably wont know this until you hook them up.

I have not weighed my van, but strongly suspect the tare weight well exceeds the manufacturers specs. I am sure mine weighs about 2t when loaded for a long trip.

cheers, Dalb
Cheers, Dalb

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AnswerID: 242046

Follow Up By: pprass - Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 16:08

Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 16:08
Brian - nice picture of the Coromal!

I already have raised and stiffened suspension on the Patrol, so from what you are saying I probably should wait and see how the van sits on the vehicle before I make any decision on level riders. I should also check it out after it is fully loaded. Thanks for sharing your experience.

BTW - Do you use your external shower? If you do, do you know if there is a way of drwaing the water out of just one tank? We are getting dual 82 ltr tanks and I wanted to use one for the shower and one for drinking water. In that way I can fill the shower tank with whatever water is available and not waste good drinking water.

Peter
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FollowupID: 503055

Reply By: David N. - Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 16:50

Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 16:50
Use a WDH on road. They should be a legal requirement.
Then remove it off road. Easy
AnswerID: 242070

Follow Up By: pprass - Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 16:59

Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 16:59
David - is a WDH a Weight Distribution Hitch?

Peter
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FollowupID: 503068

Follow Up By: David N. - Friday, May 25, 2007 at 10:20

Friday, May 25, 2007 at 10:20
Sorry, Yes.
Such as a Hyman reese or some other brands.
They make a huge difference to stability by putting weight BACK on your front wheels for steering, braking etc.
cheers
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FollowupID: 503228

Follow Up By: David N. - Friday, May 25, 2007 at 10:22

Friday, May 25, 2007 at 10:22
Sorry again that's HAYMAN REESE
Wish one could edit one's mistakes.
cheers
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FollowupID: 503229

Reply By: Member - Dalb (SA) - Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 17:26

Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 17:26
Peter
My Coromal is an 01 model and does not have dual water tanks or an outside shower, so I cant help with this one.

Cheers, Dalb
Cheers, Dalb

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AnswerID: 242074

Reply By: titl4 - Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 19:36

Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 19:36
IMO David in msg 3 is spot on. & yes WDH = weight distributing hitch.
AnswerID: 242102

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