TDV8 towing probs- help!

[justinc]

Hi all,

Have a customer of mine away on the mainland at the moment, towing. He is having a difficult time with new caravan as it sways uncontrollably at 90 km/h and has been told his factory tow set up will not accept a Hayman Reece Friction Sway set up. I haven't seen the vehicle as he has not long had it so I can't commment on it other than what he has told me today. Apparently he needs a whole new reciever or something in order to accept a tow tongue that will accept the friction sway attachment etc etc.

Anyone be able to let me know what he can do?

JC

[Homestar]

Hi Justin, can't really comment on the towbar, as I'm not familiar with them on this model, but just to go back a step - has he towed this van before with another vehicle? If so, did it sway on that one or not? Just thinking that the axle on the caravan may not be in the right postion on one side - I have seen this before.

Just a thought... Cheers - Gav

[stig0000]

yer im feeling the caravan is out of balence??

[33chinacars]

Yes Me too

Repack van Or van hitch may be too high/low for car

Gary

[justinc]

Yes Me too

Repack van Or van hitch may be too high/low for car

Gary

Hi gary,

Yes I was going to ask him that but it would be like teaching granma to suck eggs to him, he has towed vans for many years and he insists it is fine in that department...:angel:
I mentioned the friction sway system to him and I have no doubt it would fix the problem, but he has no way of getting good advice on the road he tells me. I'll find out where he is and see if he can take it somewhere for someone to actually look at it, all this over the phone stuff is a bit futile at times when I can't even see what it is.

JC

[StephenF10]

The friction hitch might cure the symptom but not the cause, and the cause is most likely a too-light ball weight. This reduces the authority of the tow vehicle and lets the van do its own thing. Can he redistribute weight forward?

[stig0000]

im with this guy ^^^^

[Terrain Vehicles]

People seemed to manage to tow caravans before they invented anti-sway mechanisms without them falling over...

[justinc]

I totally agree the ball weight is most likely the issue, but he insists it is fine. A bit difficult when I am not anywhere near it...

Thanks for alll the replies I'll see how he goes I might gently sugggest some more weight distributionn and see what eventuates.

JC

[33chinacars]

Not to be rude but if possible have him have ball weight checked on scales. Double check tyre pressures with a reliable gauge. Also if possible have take photo of RR & van side on on level ground. May help.

I once had a single axle racecar trailor try to pass me at 110mph :angel::angel: Pulled out of it

Nearly was an :angel:

Gary

[101RRS]

I totally agree the ball weight is most likely the issue, but he insists it is fine. A bit difficult when I am not anywhere near it...

Thanks for alll the replies I'll see how he goes I might gently sugggest some more weight distributionn and see what eventuates.

JC

Why is he asking the questions if not wanting to consider the answers. Obviously the van has too much weight at the rear. I would be asking him if he is all so sure it is not weight distribution then with all of his supposed experience what does he believe it is? It ain't the car.

Garry

[justinc]

Why is he asking the questions if not wanting to consider the answers. Obviously the van has too much weight at the rear. I would be asking him if he is all so sure it is not weight distribution then with all of his supposed experience what does he believe it is? It ain't the car.

Garry

:angel::angel::angel:

I'm saying nothing.....:o


JC

[PAT303]

His atittude is normal,bicky dippers seem to know everything about everything.They are very keen to tell people how to do things up here,dunno how we make it living here full time without them passing on thier knowledge every winter. Pat