Towing - Stability

[abrandn]

We are first time caravaners and at the weekend we towed away our new Swift Charisma 540 (unladen - 1275kg)with our intended tow car, a VW Passat 2.0CDi (kerb wieght 1700kg)

During this 40 mile drive we experience a backwards and forwards surging motion (a bit like being at sea) through the car but no snaking.

Can anybody offer an explanation - could nose wieght too low being an completely empty van ?

 

[Lutz]

Could well be that the noseweight was too low, but as you say you are new to caravanning, it may also be that you are not yet used to a slightly different ride quality in the car when towing (or a combination of the two).

 

[Del_374232870]

As Lutz says you do get a diffrent ride quality when towing. You dont say how much equipment you had in the van. I find that a fully (well) loaded van tends to tow better than an empty van.

 

[abrandn]

As Lutz says you do get a diffrent ride quality when towing. You dont say how much equipment you had in the van. I find that a fully (well) loaded van tends to tow better than an empty van.

The van was new and completely empty.

Neil

 

[abrandn]

The van was new and completely empty.

 

[colin-yorkshire]

hi neil

it could be somthing a simple as negative nose weight as other posters have said or the fact that the stabiliser was not set correctly.

BUT and please dont take this personnally it is more likely to be down to your inexperience, it is quite a large van to attempt to tow when you are not used to it.

the forces acting on the unit are considerable. towing is something that takes practice loads of it even long standing towers are wary of the the van when taking it out for the first trip of the season and usualy stop after the the first 20 miles or so to check that all is well (jocky wheel up, cables in order

everything in van secure ect.)and after several trips with it you will get to know how to load the van so as to give the best ride and performance out of the car and any loading issues you may find that effect the running and stability of the van.

also consider going on a towing course as then you will be taught the correct way to tow and be given some invaluable tips on towing.

the passat is an exellent tow car and can be seen towing bigger vans than yours so I doubt if the car will be a problem,

above all enjoy the experience of towing and using your new purchase, and welcome to the fold.

colin

 

[abrandn]

hi neil

it could be somthing a simple as negative nose weight as other posters have said or the fact that the stabiliser was not set correctly.

BUT and please dont take this personnally it is more likely to be down to your inexperience, it is quite a large van to attempt to tow when you are not used to it.

the forces acting on the unit are considerable. towing is something that takes practice loads of it even long standing towers are wary of the the van when taking it out for the first trip of the season and usualy stop after the the first 20 miles or so to check that all is well (jocky wheel up, cables in order

everything in van secure ect.)and after several trips with it you will get to know how to load the van so as to give the best ride and performance out of the car and any loading issues you may find that effect the running and stability of the van.

also consider going on a towing course as then you will be taught the correct way to tow and be given some invaluable tips on towing.

the passat is an exellent tow car and can be seen towing bigger vans than yours so I doubt if the car will be a problem,

above all enjoy the experience of towing and using your new purchase, and welcome to the fold.

colin

Thanks for your words.

You mention that the stabiliser not set correctly. How can I check this - can you please expand.

Neil

 

[waffler]

Two things come to mind- van has no shock absorbers and might be bouncing- try loading it. (Mine rides better with the awning over the axle.) The second is that the back of the car might be light. This causes the car to rise up. One serious problem but probably not is that the hitch damper is defective or the hitch is not oiled sufficiently.

 

[Damian]

Hello Neil,

Just reading your post reminded me of when we collected our van, an Abbey, but out of the Swift stable.

On the way home, completely empty we too felt a surging at times, we found that the noseweight was the problem, or rather the lack of it.

Once you have the gas cylinders in place as well as all the rest of your gear, as long as it is stored correctly, the surging woill stop.

When we load the van now, during the first couple of miles if we feel a surging we know we have not loaded properly and some minor moving about of items soon restores the stability.

If you have the Al-Ko hitch head damper set up, then as long as you have lowered the handle to engage the friction pads there is no more you can do, and on a new van it is very unlikely that there is any wear in the pads.

As for the hitch damper, that should have been checked on the PDI and again, with no use it is very unlikely to have any fault.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Whatever you do don't oil/grease the hitch if its an Alko stabiliser