Just had an offer accepted on a Bailey Ranger. Was expecting to go & pick it up this weekend and realised I need a tow bar!
So what exactly do I need to be able to tow it? A friend said to get a stabiliser (which we do want) and something about making sure it fits the towbar as he had to change his towbar after adding a stabiliser.
I have no idea really what I'm on about :) so any advice very much appreciated.
First thing is to check your car is suitable to tow it. What car have you got and which Ranger have you bought.
Advice for beginners is not to use a stabiliser because it masks the effect of bad loading.
You need a towbar and towball. Does the van have a stabiliser fitted. If it has an Alko stabiliser you will need a towball with a slightly extended neck. This will fit whether or not it has a stabiliser.
You need the correct electrics. Does the van have a 13 pin plug fitted or a 12S and 12N. Your car needs to have the correct socket or sockets. You can get adaptors for one to the other.
As a minimum you must have the road lights working. That is lights, brake lights and indicators. In addition you can run the caravan fridge and charge the caravan battery whilst towing but this is not essential.
I've checked the weight thing, I have a Toyota Verso and worked out that the Bailey Ranger 470 was about the only one I could tow.
It doesn't have a stabiliser fitted. Is there a certain type of towbar that's recommended? Where is best to have a towbar fitted - my local Toyota dealer?
I don't know about the electrics, will find out tomorrow.
Hi Personally I would look in yellow pages for a local towbar fitter.Your toyota dealer will be happy to fit a towbar for you but will be much more expensive than your local fitters whom toyota probably use anyway but make sure that it is a known make of towbar such as towsure or witter to name only two .good luck and welcome to the forum and as has been said on here many times the only silly question is the one you don't ask
Hi.you don't mention If your car is automatic or manual transmission .If it is an auto you may well need an oil cooler fitted to the gearbox to tow a caravan.Check your vehicle handbook or ask your dealer for advice .
------------- Those that danced were thought to be quite insane to those who could not hear the music. Angela Monet
Quote: Originally posted by Dreadnought on 15/1/2010
Hi.you don't mention If your car is automatic or manual transmission .If it is an auto you may well need an oil cooler fitted to the gearbox to tow a caravan.Check your vehicle handbook or ask your dealer for advice .
My towcar is an automatic nissan almera. It came complete with towbar (second user) but I haven't towed with it yet, although my outfit is a max weight 600kg Kip Kompakt. Do I need to be worried about this - how do you know if you need one - short of going ahead and breaking down!
this place seems to know what it's talking about but it mentions whether or not you have air con - does that make a difference to the engine overheating???
nawer, I have a manual Toyota Verso (kerb weight 1505kg, tow capacity (braked) 1300kg) and I've bought a Ranger 470/4 (1170kg). If the 85% rule is of the kerb weight then I can pull 1280kg, however 85% the tow capacity is 1105kg which is under.
Thanks for the advice pamanddoug - I've called around for a few quotes and I'm sure I'll have saved money avoiding Toyota.
Some towbars for Versos require the rear bumper to be cut. You can get a swan neck towbar that does not require a bumper cut, I would suggest you go for this, a swan neck looks neater & is ok with the Alko stabiliser hitch.
Is your car new or nearly new? You should go for the vehicle specific wiring. Be careful with towbar fitting, getting the cheapest might work out the dearest in't long run. Have you got a quote from your Toyota dealer? If he fits Toyota supplied parts in his own workshop it might be your best bet if your car is still under warranty.
Quote: Originally posted by Dreadnought on 15/1/2010
Hi.you don't mention If your car is automatic or manual transmission .If it is an auto you may well need an oil cooler fitted to the gearbox to tow a caravan.Check your vehicle handbook or ask your dealer for advice .
My towcar is an automatic nissan almera. It came complete with towbar (second user) but I haven't towed with it yet, although my outfit is a max weight 600kg Kip Kompakt. Do I need to be worried about this - how do you know if you need one - short of going ahead and breaking down!
this place seems to know what it's talking about but it mentions whether or not you have air con - does that make a difference to the engine overheating???
hi jax 365.If i were you and i didnt know what to look for i would get a mechanic to check weather you have an oil cooler fitted or not.600kg is not a lot but it isnt a 3x3 trailer either.The previous owner of your car may have only towed a little trailer so an oil cooler obviosly would'nt be needed.But a 600kg kip van might be a different thing entirely.Has the towbar got twin electrics?This may indicate a former owner could've towed a caravan.I would get it checked either with a dealer or a mechanic.its got to be better than a cooked gearbox.Been there done it but couldnt afford the t shirt after the new auto box was fitted lol
------------- Those that danced were thought to be quite insane to those who could not hear the music. Angela Monet
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Topic: Buying 1st caravan - basic advice please
