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Subject Topic: car or weight problem
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19/2/2010 at 10:16pm
 Location: west yorkshire
 Outfit: swift
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Hi,

weve got a freelander a td4 2000 car and pull a compass olympas 4berth, which should be ok, but since we changed to this caravan from a swift corniche 2 berth, weve noticed the car feels like its not setting off straight away,then it does a small jerk for a split second and then it pulls feels like normal. Is this a car problem OR a weight problem in the nose of the van, any ideas would be appreciated....



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lifes too short for grudges BE HAPPY


19/2/2010 at 10:37pm
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I suggest you book the caravan in for a chassis service, either the shock absorber on the coupling needs replacing &/or the brakes need ajusting.


19/2/2010 at 10:44pm
 Location: west yorkshire
 Outfit: swift
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Hi,

Thanks for the reply, weve only just bought the caravan (which we love) and was gettin a bit worried it was  the car, although the new van is a bit heavier than our old swift we were told it was ok for the weight, will do that before  the warranty runs out.

Many Thanks

 Elizabeth and John.........



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lifes too short for grudges BE HAPPY


20/2/2010 at 12:11am
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram
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What is the Unladen and Maximum gross weight of your caravan? I can not find any trace of a compass olympus or olympas?

Single or twin axle? What is the caravans age?

I can find avondale olympus.



20/2/2010 at 10:28am
 Location: Blackburn Lancashire
 Outfit: Coachman Laser 650 and Discovery
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Assuming the caravan is a good match to your car, it sounds rather like the brakes are sticking.

Jim



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20/2/2010 at 10:52am
 Location: West country
 Outfit: Mondeo
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When you stop, the over run brake operates and the drawbar shortens. When you pull away the draw bar has to lengthen. If it stays shortened (van brakes on) while you're stopped, it will lengthen as you pull away and when its fully extended you will feel a bump. I normally stop, then ease forward a few inches so when I pull away the slack has been taken up. Makes a much smoother pull away.

Hope that's clear. Think of it as a tow rope, you should always take up the slack or you get a jerk when it straightens.



20/2/2010 at 7:51pm
 Location: west yorkshire
 Outfit: swift
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hi,

 Appologises weve got a compass omega 460/4 berth(single axle), don't know where my head is some times, were in the middle of selling and buying another house and its stress full, well thats my excuse HA HA!

we have realised its the very start when we pull off so going to get the caravan brakes ect  checked out where we bought it, its got a 3 month warranty, we went away this month FEB to test everything out, good job we did.

So Many Thanks to all who posted, we thought it was the car.



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lifes too short for grudges BE HAPPY


20/2/2010 at 8:23pm
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To test the coupling shock absorber just try to push the whole coupling back with your hands & compress the rubber bellows, it should be really hard. If it moves back easily or even fairly easily the shock absorber has had it.


20/2/2010 at 10:44pm
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: Caravan now Sold
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sounds like the damper is faulty on the hitch,this will give a clonk on stopping and setting off.

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21/2/2010 at 1:35pm
 Location: west yorkshire
 Outfit: swift
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Hi, yes weve been down and tried that with the rubber ect, we don't think its right so its going back to the caravan place, luckily that should be covered in the warranty, WE HOPE

thanks for your help everyone................

 

elizabeth and john...........



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lifes too short for grudges BE HAPPY



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