towbar

[john_374564666]

Hi,

we are newcomers to caravanning and have bought a 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.0ltr TD to pull our "yet to be bought van ". The fitted towbar is a detachable swan neck which I am worried is too high..512mms to mid ball. My questions are 1. is it too high? 2..as the actual bar is detachable, can I buy a different design bar to fit in the socket without having to change the whole thing ?. 3..if I have to change it, which make do you recommend ? and lastly 4..the present towbar only has one electric socket.An article in practical caravan referred to the necessity for two..why is this and how do I fix it.

Many thanks John and Gill.

 

[markemall]

Hi john to answer Q4. I towed for years with a single plug set up the only thing is I could not run the fridge on the 12 volts whilst towing, I did make enquiries as to having another plug fitted and was quoted around

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello John.

The standard for private cars is 350 to 420mm centre of ball to ground - when hitched and loaded (all passengers and luggage) ready to tow. I assume you have measured yours with no load, so it will dip when you add the nose load and luggage etc. But whether it will drop by 100mm is open to trial and error.

Commercial vehicles however are exempt from this specification, and there is some debate whether in this context 4x4's are also exempt. I suggest you contact the mains dealer for the car or the manufacture for clarification.

It does occur to me that perhaps you do not have the correct towbar assembly for your model, so that is something else to check. Also some 4x4's towbars have height adjustment, so that another point to check

 

[Thedoog]

John we tow a Vitara just measured ours its 480mm to mid ball, if that info helps.

 

[john_374564666]

John we tow a Vitara just measured ours its 480mm to mid ball, if that info helps.

thanks doog...how much do you find the ball goes down when caravan attached..John.

 

[john_374564666]

John we tow a Vitara just measured ours its 480mm to mid ball, if that info helps.

try again...thanks doog...what height does the bar sink to when caravan is attached...if its then pretty level maybe there is no need to buy a new setup. regards John.