fleetwood heritage 2000 580

[dan_374458831]

hi i havent been on here for quite a while

i used to own a abbey gt 418t and have recently got the fleetwood

i have a few questions firstly i tow with a chrysler voyager 2.5 td 1998 and have noticed a big difference in how the two vans behave when towing

the abbey was so stable ok it was a lighter van by about 300 kg

and almost 6ft shorter

the fleetwood does not seem so stable i have the noseweight set at 75kg if i lightend this how will this affect the way it handles

the fleetwood is also a twin axle like the abbey and is also fitted with an alko stabiliser hitch

any ideas will be appreciated

dan

 

[dan_374458831]

anyone????

 

[Hamer_5041128]

Dan,

Can you give some idea as to how the Fleetwood is less stable than the Abbey? What is the MPTLM of the Fleetwood? When hitched to the Voyager is it level or slightly nose down? Do you have any heavy items behind the rear axle?

Hamer

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Dan,

I sense you appreciate that the stability/instability is the result of a range of factors. You specifically refer to nose weight, and yes this can affect the balance of an outfit.

It is generally accepted that the greater the nose weight the less instability most outfits will encounter, so the general view would be, reducing the nose weight will increase the likelihood of instability.

You will have to check with your vehicle handbooks, but you may have some scope to increase the nose weight, which might help.

You have a T/A caravan. Setting the nose weights on T/A's is more difficult than on a S/A. so it is vitally important that you follow the correct procedure to measure it.

 

[dan_374458831]

hi thanks for your replies,the mptlm of the fleetwood is 1570 yes it is slightly nose down

i have been moving things around inside put the awning and poles over the axle's and rechecked the nose weight which is now at 75kg the voyagers handbook states 80kg max

i will try your method john but i have only just picked up the replys

thanks again will let you know how i get on ,we are going away to the isle of wight in saturday so hopefully it will be all good

dan