Mine is lowered 70mm on 20” wheels and tows perfectly level with a factory fitted to bar. Also has trailer assist which have tried a couple times and prefer my own reversing skills!
Towing with a lowered van
- Thread starter Fromow
- Start date
In the UK, the standard towball height is between 350 mm and 420 mm from the ground when the vehicle is fully laden. This is a legal requirement and is set out in the EC Directive Regulation Number 55
For caravans and trailers, the EC Directive also specifies a height range of 385 mm to 455 mm from the ground to the hitch when the vehicle is laden
For caravans and trailers, the EC Directive also specifies a height range of 385 mm to 455 mm from the ground to the hitch when the vehicle is laden
PS
My SWB 204 T6 DSG is probably the best vehicle I have ever towed with. My caravan is 1935kg max.
My SWB 204 T6 DSG is probably the best vehicle I have ever towed with. My caravan is 1935kg max.
That’s the biggest load of shit I’ve ever heard! I’ve being towing caravans and trailers for over 40 years. The weight and balance of the towed item is critical to the handling of the tow vehicle. A nose down attitude just shows an incorrect balance of the caravan or trailer and is nothing to do with braking or otherwise. Get your self on a towing course.
Sound like you need the trading if you don’t understand hitch heights and nose weight.
What help was your post.
My van tows perfectly with the Caravan at 1800kg and car Transporter loaded at 2400kg all weights and balances recorded by my race car load scales
Nose heavy is as dangerous as nose light.
@RobertO2023 you think mines looks pretty deft in that pic?
Yes indeed. As long as you have around the correct nose weight on the hitch and the caravan has well distributed weight it will always tow well. Towing forces on the towing vehicle should always be in the horizontal plane. The trailer brakes will then not add vertical pressure on the hitch therefore keeping the handling in balance. If you find the rear of the tow vehicle dips under braking it will upset the equilibrium and could result in loss of control.
Excellent description in layman’s terms.
I've been reading and watching this thread. Had noone else had difficulties actually getting hitched up? I found that the jockey wheel on my caravan did not allow the tow bar to go low enough to the tow ball. A plank of 4x2 or similar could be used to jack-up back of van. Another thing I had to do was temporarily use the front stabilisers legs on caravan to carefully lower down. Obvs easily on a level gradient but slight gradient made difficult especially if inclined!
My Caravan has inboard jockey wheel which is a fecking stupid design and yes can be a problem with lowered van. I just ensure it is pointing directly forward or it won't lower enough. I always use the motor mover to get it on and off pitches so I just make sure it's driven for a few meters forward to get the wheel alignment right.
I carry a mini bottle jack in the front locker to jack axles for the wheel locks. Occasionally I might use this on the a frame if I can't get the jockey wheel inline. Some of this is down to the stupid inboard design and the fact the clamp is welded to the chassis, worn and no longer grips the jockey wheel properly so it can spin or drop when motor moving. Honestly what moron thought the aesthetics of the a frame outweigh the practicalities or the regular side mount?
I carry a mini bottle jack in the front locker to jack axles for the wheel locks. Occasionally I might use this on the a frame if I can't get the jockey wheel inline. Some of this is down to the stupid inboard design and the fact the clamp is welded to the chassis, worn and no longer grips the jockey wheel properly so it can spin or drop when motor moving. Honestly what moron thought the aesthetics of the a frame outweigh the practicalities or the regular side mount?
