Thread: Load Equalising Bars - How to use them?

I see you managed to catch it in its natural enviroment,,,,

Originally Posted by RonMcGr

It is very common in this forum!
I'm beginning to wonder if it is worth staying here any longer.....

Hang in Ron,
You are right - a WDH is a must with any sizable or particularly a tall load. They also reduce sway from the effects of side winds and huge trucks overtaking at a distance of 500mm from the side of a van, enclosed trailer or float. Years ago we used to overtake them - now they are so powerful and pressured into such deadlines that they overtake almost everyone on the road.

Hayman-Reese and other manufacturers haven't spent untold hours in research just to distribute the weight. Just fitting the cheaper spring bars cuts down on van movement and makes the whole rig safer because it tracks better and is more controllable.
The top of the line units have additional torsional and friction sway control devices and shock absorbers. Over-ride braking systems are incompatible with the heavier capacity WDH systems so brakes (electric or vacuum) controllable from the driver's seat are needed with these also.

I cannot understand how some supposedly great off-road hitches fitted to campers and off road caravans are even allowed on the road at road speeds without sway control systems.

Unless you have lot of horsepower available immediately under your right foot you are better and safer with a quality WDH. Anything less is deluding yourself and you can start the countdown to a disaster NOW.

Regards,
Bob

Thanks Bob,

Nice to have some one on my side for once
I would not tow a van without a WDH.
We even had one on a 12' Viscount Camper trailer, way back in 1983. Viscount put the axle so far back that it had a hell of a tow ball weight

Agree about the trucks, a truckie on our Caravan Forum suggested easing the foot of the accelerator as the truck was about to come along side, then pushing it down a little as the truck goes past. It certainly helps, you don't get sucked in so much

I have also noticed there is a huge difference towing with a Disco, compared to a Falcon Sedan. The Van can some times push the Falcon around, but not the Disc. It is heavier and more stable Apart from a lack of power, I love it for towing.

Cheers,

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

and this answers my question how?

you are quite set on the idea that to tow a van you MUST HAVE a WDH.

all I'm asking for is a reasonable reason,, not
just the repeated "if you had one you'd know"

if you just said--because van manufacturers overload towball limits, we'd finally agree and I'd go back to sleep in the corner,,,

and the difference between a 27ft triple axel covered car trailer and a van is what? the aircon inside? pfft.

fundamentally nothing. And this 27’ car trailer might tow well. But I bet it will tow better with a LDH (properly setup and adjusted). I assume by you comments you have not properly tried these systems – if this is so I wonder why you are giving advice on how useless they are…. I believe the original post was for info on how to adjust – not for advice on how he’s “got it all wrong”. Very sorry boys but this kind of advice only devalues the quality of information available here.

I associate with many people (friends & clubs) with large heavy trailers of all types including caravans – some choose not to use LDH for various reasons (including me sometimes) like cost , couldn’t be bothered (boat ramp is 600m from home), happy with current handling or pure lack of understanding. But ALL who have properly trialled them admit to the improvements in handling and braking especially at highway speed.
I always use LDH on the highway because I like to take a 3t boat to the Whitsundays (and other destinations) with out causing disruptions to the overnight traffic. Try keeping up with the 100k traffic on the Bruce Highway nth of Gin Gin (corners with 60 rec and very poor surface in places) with out it….. I know people with out LDH - including guys with car trailers - can’t because we catch (and watch them wander all over the road) and pass them.

So to answer your question - it’s NOT a case that a van or boat or car trailer MUST have LDH, it is that some of us have experience of towing with and with out LDH and recognise (and value) their use.

Originally Posted by bobslandies

Hang in Ron,
You are right - a WDH is a must with any sizable or particularly a tall load. They also reduce sway from the effects of side winds and huge trucks overtaking at a distance of 500mm from the side of a van, enclosed trailer or float. Years ago we used to overtake them - now they are so powerful and pressured into such deadlines that they overtake almost everyone on the road.

Hayman-Reese and other manufacturers haven't spent untold hours in research just to distribute the weight. Just fitting the cheaper spring bars cuts down on van movement and makes the whole rig safer because it tracks better and is more controllable.
The top of the line units have additional torsional and friction sway control devices and shock absorbers. Over-ride braking systems are incompatible with the heavier capacity WDH systems so brakes (electric or vacuum) controllable from the driver's seat are needed with these also.

I cannot understand how some supposedly great off-road hitches fitted to campers and off road caravans are even allowed on the road at road speeds without sway control systems.

Unless you have lot of horsepower available immediately under your right foot you are better and safer with a quality WDH. Anything less is deluding yourself and you can start the countdown to a disaster NOW.

Regards,
Bob

Here we go - someone who has experience....
Ron & Bob - good advice.

Originally Posted by RonMcGr

Thanks Bob,

Nice to have some one on my side for once

Ron i certainly hope you dont think iam against you on this one mate. On leaf sprung vehicles yes mate they should always be used in conjunction with the appropriate and rated tow bar to suite.

Originally Posted by MarknDeb

Ron i certainly hope you dont think iam against you on this one mate. On leaf sprung vehicles yes mate they should always be used in conjunction with the appropriate and rated tow bar to suite.

Thanks Mark,

I know you have an interesting Caravan and Tow vehicle
Pity you don't have this link in your web page:
Australian Caravan Club - Home

It is the Caravaners answer to CMCA and growing bigger by the day.

Cheers,

Unbelievable