new at towing

[stephen_5126639]

Hi, we have never had a caravan befor now the kids have left school we decided we would try it,i have a 1.8 mondeo td estate,i bought a cheap van to start with its a 86 swift danette 4/5 berth,its only for the wife and me,it came newly decorated all electrics etc,it came with a snakemaster stabilizer but i dont have a car bracket so i can not use it at the moment,we are going away this weekend its about a 60 mile jearny with all a roads no dual carriageways but plenty of hills,will it be ok without the stabilizer,also will my car be ok wiyh it i believe the kerb weight is 1475 i am not sure of the weight of the caravan.

 

[Damian]

Stephen, unfortunately you do not give enough info to make a sensible comment about suitability of the van to car, as without knowing the most important part,that is the weight of the van, it is impossible to answer your question.

As for the stabiliser, as long as you have the van loaded correctly, with the correct noseweight, and everything goes well,there *shouldnt* be a problem, if you are sensible, BUT, and its a very big BUT, without knowing the weight of the van, the previous info may be totally wrong, if the van is too heavy for the car in the first place

 

[Lutz]

I am rather perturbed that you appear to have bought yourself a caravan without checking beforehand whether the match is suitable, or, at the very least, legal. I don't know the weight of your caravan either but I would guess that in your case you will be within the permissible weight limits, so that will probably not be an issue. However, it is very risky to purchase without having any idea of the specs for car and caravan.

Stabilisers are (only) a sort of additional insurance against instability. Any caravan should be towable safely without one but the safety margin is significantly improved by the use of a stabiliser.

 

[colin(bridgend)]

Stephen - fill your car with fuel, empty all surplus stuff out of it so that there is just the spare wheel and tools on board as well as the fuel. Empty the caravan of all equipment incl. gas bottles, battery, etc. and weigh each unit seperately on a public weigh bridge. Calculate the percentage weight of the van against the car. Ideally the van should weigh 85% of the car weight. As you are going away for the weekend and quite close to home do not put too much in the van for the first trip - any heavy articles such as awning, box of food, etc. keep at floor level and over the axle - heavy weight placed either to the rear or front of the van could cause uneven pitching of the van. If your calculations work out around the 85% mark there should not be too much problem. However watch the nose weight of the van onto the tow bar as this is also critical - the van could push the boot down and cause undue problems regarding handling. Ideally the van and car should be horizontal when hitched up. As Lutz stated a stabilizer is only an aid to good handling and is not the B all and end all to towing. Good luck with your first adventure and hopefully you will enjoy the experience.

 

[colin(bridgend)]

Have a look for a plate on the van either at low level near the door externally, high level above the door internally or on the A frame and it should state both the unladen weight and max permissable laden weight. Alternatively phone Swift and they might be able to tell you these figures. They are a pretty good company to deal with.

 

[stephen_5126639]

Have a look for a plate on the van either at low level near the door externally, high level above the door internally or on the A frame and it should state both the unladen weight and max permissable laden weight. Alternatively phone Swift and they might be able to tell you these figures. They are a pretty good company to deal with.

well thanks for all the help,i found on a website the car is 1475kg

when i bought the van the seller said it was 750kg,i had to tow it home about 28 miles all very hilly and windy narrow roads,on the straight at 50mph i did not know it was their on hills it was very slugish,but the mondeo diesel is slugish anyway,only i found i could only use 5th gear on the straight,the van is 14ft plus 4.6ft tow bar a total of 18.6ft 6.2ft wide,many thanks all.

 

[stephen_5126639]

well when i bought the van the person selling the van said it was 750kg,the van is 14ft plus 4.6ft tow bar its a 4 bearth,driving home on the straight i did not know it was their only on the hills i could not use 5th gear,many thanks all.

 

[Steve L]

Hi Stephen.

I had a Swift Dannette of 1985 vintage, that weighed a max of 900Kgs loaded. They are incredably light having an aluminium chassis.

They layout is very good I paricularly liked the little hide away in the cupboard unit which was lockable.

Towing with your Mondeo should be trouble free, and on our van we could see through with the interior mirror on the car.

You could try your local caravan dealer for a second hand bracket for the car for your stabiliser, or you canorder a new bracket from Towsure.

Steve.

 

[stephen_5126639]

Hi,steve thanks for your help their you have put my mind at rest,it drove ok when i brought it home,a little pitching on parts of the road but it was full of ruts potholes etc,it was a very narow winding hilly road but once i was on the main road on the straight i drove at 50 it was very stable and the car was only at 2500 revs in 5th gear i didnt even know i had it on till i got to hills,i went on the towsure site,i may have to change my tow ball as it is a swan neck type with a removable ball (small type),i will let you all know how it goes this weekend,many thanks.

 

[stephen_5126639]

UPDATE!!

i have now got all the weights etc;the van weight is 660kg unladen 850kg laden,on the vin plate of my car it has 4 weights starting 1-4;2025kg/3275kg/1050kg/1050kg/,i have mislaid the v5 i am still looking for it,i hope this makes scence to someone,