My 1969 Millard caravan

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Originally Posted by Chucaro

Shane, the example was only related to the angle mounting of the spare which in the Millard allows to bring the spare as close as possible to the front wall of the caravan.
I do not suggest for a minute to put so much weight in the front of the van.:)

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Woops :angel:

I still haven't mounted the spare wheel on mine, it's sure not going to be swung from the back ..... I don't really want it on the drawbar either (I'd rather leave the available space there for a split system condenser if I ever find a cheap split system to stick in it).

At the moment I just throw it in under the table, so it's "sort of" over the axle. What a PITA.

seeya,
Shane L.

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Originally Posted by Chucaro

Shane, the example was only related to the angle mounting of the spare which in the Millard allows to bring the spare as close as possible to the front wall of the caravan.
I do not suggest for a minute to put so much weight in the front of the van.:)

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That wasn't clear. I thought you were suggesting Carlos to mount gas bottles and Jerry cans on the drawbar.

Shane, that video is a bit deceptive. You'll notice when he moves the weights, the rear weights are moved more rear than the front ones are moved forward, thus making the towed rig tail heavy. A big no no as demonstrated.
I would have expected a different result had he moved only the front weights forward.
As you well know, you need to have about a couple of hundred kilograms ball weight.

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Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

That wasn't clear. I thought you were suggesting Carlos to mount gas bottles and Jerry cans on the drawbar.

Shane, that video is a bit deceptive. You'll notice when he moves the weights, the rear weights are moved more rear than the front ones are moved forward, thus making the towed rig tail heavy. A big no no as demonstrated.
I would have expected a different result had he moved only the front weights forward.
As you well know, you need to have about a couple of hundred kilograms ball weight.

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There's another similar one ... Where they show moving the weights to the ends makes the whole show WAY more stable. It took a lot to get it to move ................. But once it did, there was no saving it (ask anyone with one of those huge caravans with massive weights at the ends.... "It always towed perfectly ........... Until that one time ........")..... where the rolled it down the road.

It is interesting to look how other countries make there caravans, and the reason why they "do what they do". I reckon the perfect setup is 5th wheelers... in theory they should cost no more to build (don't you love theory) but all the weight will be between the axles ... just like a semi. It does of course require a Ute to tow it with ... that has a hefty weight carrying capacity in it's tray.

seeya,
Shane L.

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Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

That wasn't clear. I thought you were suggesting Carlos to mount gas bottles and Jerry cans on the drawbar.

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You are right Mick, Carlos know what I mean, I help him with the project and almost we can read of each other mind :D

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Originally Posted by DoubleChevron

There's another similar one ... Where they show moving the weights to the ends makes the whole show WAY more stable. It took a lot to get it to move ................. But once it did, there was no saving it (ask anyone with one of those huge caravans with massive weights at the ends.... "It always towed perfectly ........... Until that one time ........")..... where the rolled it down the road.

It is interesting to look how other countries make there caravans, and the reason why they "do what they do". I reckon the perfect setup is 5th wheelers... in theory they should cost no more to build (don't you love theory) but all the weight will be between the axles ... just like a semi. It does of course require a Ute to tow it with ... that has a hefty weight carrying capacity in it's tray.

seeya,
Shane L.

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Yep. Lots of weight forward of the trailer axles is more stable but, yes, for that the tow vehicle is to be able to carry the load forward of the rear axle.
People tell me I'm wrong in loading vehicles backwards on my tandem but it's all about getting the correct weight distribution.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...15/03/1490.jpg

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Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

Yep. Lots of weight forward of the trailer axles is more stable but, yes, for that the tow vehicle is to be able to carry the load forward of the rear axle.
People tell me I'm wrong in loading vehicles backwards on my tandem but it's all about getting the correct weight distribution.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...15/03/1490.jpg

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That picture initially scares the **** out of me ............. Having said that, it is ok if you look... The heavy bit (engine/transfer/gearbox) is nearly over the axles, and the rest of the car is way forward of the axles. I'd say you have plenty of nose weight there. It only works 'cos you trailer has the axles a long way back from center :)

that's hilarious ... i just googled "5th wheeler trailer" to see what would come up thinking the seppo's would have some rippers ... and look what popped up

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...15/03/1491.jpg

:Rolling::Rolling:

seeya
Shane L.

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Originally Posted by DoubleChevron

That picture initially scares the **** out of me ............. Having said that, it is ok if you look... The heavy bit (engine/transfer/gearbox) is nearly over the axles, and the rest of the car is way forward of the axles. I'd say you have plenty of nose weight there. It only works 'cos you trailer has the axles a long way back from center :)

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Probably less than a couple of hundred kilo's of ball weight.
As you have noted, the axles are a fair way back. This adds to the stability. This is why I think bacicat made a good decision to extend the draw bar. What makes a trailer so unstable is the weight at the back of the trailer and the distance this weight is from the rear trailer axle. It's far better to put the spare on the drawbar rather than mounted on the rear of the van.

Good discussion - I actually havent thought much about weight except that I would like the ball weight to be way under 100kg, perhaps 80kg or so. As for mounting stuff, ill be mounting spare wheel on front but now not sure about gas bottle. I am not runing gas inside (electric oven only) so the bottle is for the BBQ :)

I also dont like the idea of making a rack for the back, hanging it off the chassis. Not sure why, but prefer to keep weight on one side (draw bar) than on both. No science as to why, just a preference.

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Originally Posted by Cap

Good discussion - I actually havent thought much about weight except that I would like the ball weight to be way under 100kg, perhaps 80kg or so. As for mounting stuff, ill be mounting spare wheel on front but now not sure about gas bottle. I am not runing gas inside (electric oven only) so the bottle is for the BBQ :)

I also dont like the idea of making a rack for the back, hanging it off the chassis. Not sure why, but prefer to keep weight on one side (draw bar) than on both. No science as to why, just a preference.

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What is the reason for wanting the ball weight under 100kg?

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Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

What is the reason for wanting the ball weight under 100kg?

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To terify the crap out of himself :p seriously he probably wants to be able tow it with any sort of european sedan (they almost universally quote 75kg as the tongue load).

With trailer loading. Everything he says makes sense. No, if buts or "maybes" .... he's nailed it I reckon.

Caravan Stability

By the way ... they are right, a Citroen DS is an exceptional towcar.............. for it's time. Way to underpowered and lightweight to tow anything made in the last 20years :(

It makes sense, limit the weights at the ends. Those modern "toy haulers" and "hatchback" caravans scare the hell out of me. Who was the genius that though allowing the loading of heavy items at the very back edge of an already massively heavy caravan was a smart idea :eek: :eek: :eek:

seeya,
Shane L.