hi can anyone help me i own a bailey pageant Provence and i tow it with a 2Lt tdci ford s max. on my way back from Devon traveling at maximum 60mph with caravan loaded with most of the weight over the axle and tyres at correct pressure. my outfit didnt seem as stable as i would of liked (i also have a alko stabilizer fitted) . could this just be down to the length of the van thus making it more susceptible to wind?
Quote: Originally posted by clanjones on 08/8/2010
slightly under the noseweight you went with ..gas bottles half full maybe fridge half empty too ..it makes a difference sometimes ..i think so ..
I also had a twitchy caravan coming home (no sign on the way) and thought the same thing! Also a bit more of a wind than when I went. Mine's a microlite!
Twice this has happened now, so I think you definately have something there, ClanJones!
we found the same heading home on saturday, so we pulled over and shifted the spare wheel (which travels in the 'van directly over the axle) forward a few inches and the problem was cured.
never thought about the difference the gas and fridge must make but you must be right.
Did you check the noseweight coming home? We do and the difference often amazes me leaving us to move stuff around then check again and then move stuff and check again just to get it the same as the outward journey.
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
Hi, Do you have cassette toilet if so, Did you enpty the flush water out the cassette, as that can effect the van' s stability, as can the water in the water heater.
------------- If everything runs smoothly then I must have done something wrong
If in Doubt Check it Out.
Quote: Originally posted by rangerjim on 09/8/2010
no i didnt empty either but on our next outing i will empty both before setting of to see if that's the problem cheers
Hi rangerjim, drain the hot water onto road as the hot water burns the grass, if on hard standing it will be ok as they tend to be chips, allow about 15min to drain them both down. keep a little water and blue stuff in cassette (jug full), and a small bottle of water to flush toilet, in case you need to use it along the route and miles from any where.
------------- If everything runs smoothly then I must have done something wrong
If in Doubt Check it Out.
If it was windy then maybe that was part of the reason. Even driving to work in my little hatchback the effect of side winds can certainly be felt. With caravans being flat sided they are going to feel sidewinds even more.
To Rangerjim, You mention you have an alko stabilizer, Firstly have you got the correct tow ball, the correct ball is also an alko one, the measurements are slightly diff. on an alko ball, this won't make a diff. to the actual towing but it's important because the alko hitch can foul the car/tow bar/etc. etc.if the alko style/design ball is not used and the worse scenario the caravan could break away from the tow vehicle. If you have the correct alko ball the next thing to look at is if the alko stabilizer is actually working correctly, the ball and hitch socket should be kept dry and free from any grease and oil so that the friction pads inside the alko hitch rub against the tow ball to create stability(thats how an alko hitch works, by friction)You don't say how old the alko is ? it might need new friction pads!!! Recently another caravaner came over to me on a site and asked if my alko hitch handle ever lifted up when towing, his lifted up on journeys and in my mind if the handle lifts it must loose its tension on the alko tow ball and thus loose its ability to actually stabilize, I told him to get his checked out as this did not seem right to me.........is this happening to you ?
Also I have been using for the last twelve months an Aeroplus wing on the roof of my tow vehicle and believe me it has made a massive diff. to the stability of my unit at speed and overtaking HGV's and coaches and them overtaking me, it is supposed to make the fuel MPG better but to be honest I have not really seen any better MPG but I can feel with my right foot (accl) that the engine is not under as much load, stability is greatly increased in cross winds, however, If you read one of my other comments on this forum you will read that recently I have found cracks in this wing and am waiting for an outcome from the supplier & distributor over a FREE replacement and as to WHY this has occurred after only just over 1k miles and just over 12 months, it might be worth considering buying one of these but be aware of my problem.
Regards
Alan
I found my Pegasus 524 not as planted when I accidentally put the mains cable and alko wheel lock in the cupboard under the fixed bed rather than one of the front lockers. Even though it only changed my nose weight from about 92 kg to 87 kg, it really made a difference.
As my gas bottle is getting a bit empty, I have added my rock pegs to the front locker (were in the car) to keep the noseweight between 90 & 95 kg (on Milenco BS approved gauge). With a healthy nose weight the van tows like a dream.
Quote: Originally posted by FLUFFY ALAN on 13/8/2010
To Rangerjim, You mention you have an alko stabilizer, Firstly have you got the correct tow ball, the correct ball is also an alko one, the measurements are slightly diff. on an alko ball, this won't make a diff. to the actual towing but it's important because the alko hitch can foul the car/tow bar/etc. etc.if the alko style/design ball is not used and the worse scenario the caravan could break away from the tow vehicle. If you have the correct alko ball the next thing to look at is if the alko stabilizer is actually working correctly, the ball and hitch socket should be kept dry and free from any grease and oil so that the friction pads inside the alko hitch rub against the tow ball to create stability(thats how an alko hitch works, by friction)You don't say how old the alko is ? it might need new friction pads!!! Recently another caravaner came over to me on a site and asked if my alko hitch handle ever lifted up when towing, his lifted up on journeys and in my mind if the handle lifts it must loose its tension on the alko tow ball and thus loose its ability to actually stabilize, I told him to get his checked out as this did not seem right to me.........is this happening to you ? Also I have been using for the last twelve months an Aeroplus wing on the roof of my tow vehicle and believe me it has made a massive diff. to the stability of my unit at speed and overtaking HGV's and coaches and them overtaking me, it is supposed to make the fuel MPG better but to be honest I have not really seen any better MPG but I can feel with my right foot (accl) that the engine is not under as much load, stability is greatly increased in cross winds, however, If you read one of my other comments on this forum you will read that recently I have found cracks in this wing and am waiting for an outcome from the supplier & distributor over a FREE replacement and as to WHY this has occurred after only just over 1k miles and just over 12 months, it might be worth considering buying one of these but be aware of my problem. Regards Alan
first of all my tow bar is a westfalia detachable tow bar and the pads inside the stabilises are new this year and when putting the stabiliser down whilst connected to the car there is plenty of resistance. we had no problem on the way down but there again my partner drove so it might just be me worrying to much. we are going away for the bank holiday so i will see how it tows then. thanks for the feedback
I suspect you travelled up the M5. The section from Bridgwater North to the other side of Bristol can be quite lively.
I've towed in winter with a properly laden caravan with approx 60% kerbweight and been unable to travel faster than 40 mph without the outfit getting unstable. when I reached the M4 for London I was travelling in the 60's without a problem.
That stretch of motorway is unprotected from winds coming in from the Atlantic and up the Bristol Channel. I've seen lots of outfits start to snake for no apparent reason. Just a slight bend in the motorway can catch you out as the wind hits you from another direction.
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Topic: stability problems
