Hi, I currently have a Coachman Amara 500/5 which I tow with a Freelander TD4. I have no problem pulling it, however it never really feels very safe,especially when overtaking Lorries. I used to tow a Bailey Discovery which was lighter and it towed great. I know the coachman is probably 200 kg heavier however it feels like I am towing a completly different beast. I put heavy items over the axles and have a slight nose weight, I used to use a snakemaster on my Bailey and that was great, I have a Alko anti snaking tow ball connector perhaps that is not as good as the Snakemaster. Anyone out there with similiar experiences or advice.Thanks Tim
Freelander and Coachman Amara 500/5
- Thread starter Tim_5120839
- Start date
Tim I tow the AMARA 550/5, almost the same weight.
You say you have slight nose weight, how slight is slight?
With a freelander you can go up to 100kg I think, if that is correct then you should aim at achievibg the max your tow ball allows.
On my first trip out I was over my 85kg (not intentional,I realised my mistake later)and it towed great. Second time out with 85kg nose weight and the van was noticeably picthing a little more, though not worryingly so.
The motto of the story is, heavier nose means more stable outfit.
You say you have slight nose weight, how slight is slight?
With a freelander you can go up to 100kg I think, if that is correct then you should aim at achievibg the max your tow ball allows.
On my first trip out I was over my 85kg (not intentional,I realised my mistake later)and it towed great. Second time out with 85kg nose weight and the van was noticeably picthing a little more, though not worryingly so.
The motto of the story is, heavier nose means more stable outfit.
Hi Tim
With regard to a heavy nose weight you must remember that the limit for the Alko Hitch is 100kg.
Report from What TowCar.com
The match between car and caravan is perfect in accordance with a mix of European standards. However, according to the British Towing Code the percentage (loaded caravan / kerbweight tow car) is 83%.
The towing performances of this Landrover with your Coachman are good (performance index = 95 km/h or 59 mph).
You may expect rather lively performances from this outfit. On flat roads you can come along provided you've selected the right gear, in which case top gear is applicable in all cases.
On motorway inclines you will be able to come along quite nicely. On steep roads you have more than sufficient power to keep going. On hill starts there will be sufficient power to get going, provided the wheels have traction.
With regard to a heavy nose weight you must remember that the limit for the Alko Hitch is 100kg.
Report from What TowCar.com
The match between car and caravan is perfect in accordance with a mix of European standards. However, according to the British Towing Code the percentage (loaded caravan / kerbweight tow car) is 83%.
The towing performances of this Landrover with your Coachman are good (performance index = 95 km/h or 59 mph).
You may expect rather lively performances from this outfit. On flat roads you can come along provided you've selected the right gear, in which case top gear is applicable in all cases.
On motorway inclines you will be able to come along quite nicely. On steep roads you have more than sufficient power to keep going. On hill starts there will be sufficient power to get going, provided the wheels have traction.
Dadio & Paul,
Thanks for your help, I will check my nose weight and see exactly what it is. I dont seem to have any problems power wise, however it gets easily effected by vehicles flying by on the Motorway, more White van man than Artics, and down hills I have to take nice and steady. But it is when overtaking HGV's that the stomach does a couple of flips, the whole rig seems to get a magnetic draw towards them, especially during the final act of passing. I try and create a bigger gap, however its not always possible. Been towing for a while with different combinations however not felt this unsecure since I used to tow my Monza with a 1.7 Astra.
Thanks again Tim
Thanks for your help, I will check my nose weight and see exactly what it is. I dont seem to have any problems power wise, however it gets easily effected by vehicles flying by on the Motorway, more White van man than Artics, and down hills I have to take nice and steady. But it is when overtaking HGV's that the stomach does a couple of flips, the whole rig seems to get a magnetic draw towards them, especially during the final act of passing. I try and create a bigger gap, however its not always possible. Been towing for a while with different combinations however not felt this unsecure since I used to tow my Monza with a 1.7 Astra.
Thanks again Tim
I tow a Coachman 500/5 also with a new Honda CRV, I too have the problem when overtaking H.G.V's, my noseweight was always around 75kg, and when I passed a lorry it was always a butt clenching moment, so much so I never tried on a downhill stretch. I have now added a second gas bottle in the front locker and changed the way I loaded the van my noseweight is now about 90Kgs and things have improved, I still get sucked towards the lorry as I complete the manouver but not as bad as it had been. I also have more weight now in the boot of the car, but my only concern with that is that I might be overloading the rear axle in the car. Any Thoughts?
Hello Tim and all
Nose weight is important, as you demonstrated to yourselves, but you do have to watch that you keep within the limits set by the car and the caravan manufacture, selecting the lowest of the two as your top target.
It is also important load the caravan safely and to check your tyre pressures are correct. The car should be set to pressures for maximum load.
As for stabilisers, they must always be considered as a top up rather a cure for instability. Your outfit must be stable at all normal towing speeds without a stabiliser; if you cannot achieve that condition, then you have an unstable and therefore an unsafe outfit - which would be considered illegal.
It would be unwise to accept the Report from What TowCar.com as gospel. It may be a reasonable guide, but only real life experience of the outfit will confirm its true abilities. - and driving style has almost as much to do with stability as the simple combination of weights and engine power.
The suction effect that occurs when vehicle's pass, is not fundamentally instability. It happens with all outfits to some extent. What can happen though, if an outfit is close to its control limit, the act of passing may cause instability to be triggered.
If you are that close to the limit, then you should slow down and drive at speed at which you can maintain full control regardless of what you pass, or what passes you.
Nose weight is important, as you demonstrated to yourselves, but you do have to watch that you keep within the limits set by the car and the caravan manufacture, selecting the lowest of the two as your top target.
It is also important load the caravan safely and to check your tyre pressures are correct. The car should be set to pressures for maximum load.
As for stabilisers, they must always be considered as a top up rather a cure for instability. Your outfit must be stable at all normal towing speeds without a stabiliser; if you cannot achieve that condition, then you have an unstable and therefore an unsafe outfit - which would be considered illegal.
It would be unwise to accept the Report from What TowCar.com as gospel. It may be a reasonable guide, but only real life experience of the outfit will confirm its true abilities. - and driving style has almost as much to do with stability as the simple combination of weights and engine power.
The suction effect that occurs when vehicle's pass, is not fundamentally instability. It happens with all outfits to some extent. What can happen though, if an outfit is close to its control limit, the act of passing may cause instability to be triggered.
If you are that close to the limit, then you should slow down and drive at speed at which you can maintain full control regardless of what you pass, or what passes you.
Alexander, I have just purchased a nose weight measure and loaded as I normally would. Either I am really overweight on the nose, or the measure is not working correctly. You worries about overloading the car are exactly the same as mine. "Make the car heavier and the van will not pull it around !!!" I aint sure either. Setting off tomorrow and feeling a little unsure about my set up !!!
Thanks Tim
John L, Thanks, your advice was most helpfull and made a lot of sense. I purchased a nose weight measure today from Towsure, either I am very nose heavy, or the measure gauge is not working properly. Thanks again Tim
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