snaking

[Damian]

Hi all
Could someone help please, me and the wife have had our caravan now since May and it is our first one and we have been out loads of times and enjoying every minute of it. But she is getting very scared every time we go out due to the snaking effect. Sometimes it’s not too bad but other times its horrendous any help would be grateful.
just one problem when towing it we just can’t seem to get the balance Wright as it snakes most of the time when we go out in it. all heavy items over the axel as everyone says .bedding under front locker and clothes in the car, also nothing in the rear bathroom .the nose weight is correct at 75kg for the car maximum as I check it every time we go out (just wondered if the gas bottle 7kg has a effect on the snaking as it is just past the axel near the rear of the caravan) also I tried the nose weight at 80kg and it did improve the towing slightly
We have a rialto 550/4 1300 mtpl and Mercedes c200 kerb weight 1600 I also took to the full unit to weigh bridge and everything was correct with them.

 

[Damian]

If you look under Technical, there are 9 pages and 87 replies all about snaking,,,,you surely will find your answers in there.

I suggest that you direct your enquiry there.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Jessica,

It's really difficult to give a definitive answer to your problem, but I do wonder, as you are relatively new to all of this, if what you believe is snaking, may be just be the inevitable change in the way the car feels when it is towing the caravan.

All cars will feel different when towing (despite the fact there are some people who will claim I don't know its there) Some combinations are better than others, but the car and caravan will tug at teach other and this may be what you are interpreting as snaking yet it may be quite normal.

I am sure you will have come across many new caravanning friends even in the short time you have been using one, may I suggest you invite an experienced caravanner to ride with you in the car, and for them to indicate if its is anything to worry about. They will also more than likely spot any loading issues you may have.

There are things that can help, such as stabilisers, and having shock absorbers fitted to the caravan can make a big difference. also check you have the correct tyre pressures for towing

 

[Lutz]

I don't want to go into possible reasons here because, as Damian says, this is covered quite exhaustively in the thread that he refers to, but I just would like to mention that the Mercedes C200 has a good reputation as a stable towcar and many over here on the Continent tow right at the limit of 1800kg without a problem.