Help with Abbey York Caravan

[andrea_5122456]

Recently purchased a 1990 Abbey York caravan. Its been very well looked after only problem is it seems to sit very low when levelled. Also when towing it seems to tow slightly nose high, only slightly though. Do I have a problem? Will I need to get something fixed? Don't know alot about caravans so any advice would be helpful.

 

[rob_jax]

Andrea,

The caravan wheel is attached to a swing arm which is in turn suspended from the internally rubber-sprung axle.

The rubber springs used in the caravan axle deforms according to the weight applied to it, and you can get an idea of the condition of the springing by imaging the axle and swing arm as parts of a clock:

Axle = centre of the dial

Swing Arm = watch hand

If the caravan is un-laden, then the swing arm should point to just below 3 on the clock face (just below horizontal)

If the caravan is lifted off the ground, then the swing arm should lower and point to between 4 and 5 on the clock face

If you really load the caravan to it's maximum (or if you hit a bump while travelling) the swing arm should point to 2.

So check your caravan - if you unload the caravan, the swing arm should be (just) below horizontal - and if yours does that - then the suspension system is fine.

Unfortunately the wheel will hide the swing arm, but if you get down on the ground and look under the caravan - you can easily see the swing arm on the other side of the caravan.

Robert