Greetings. First post. I have recently upgraded from an old Jayco Dove to a brand spanking new Flamingo. On the old van I used substantial weight distribution bars (only because the bloke I bought it off said I needed to). They were a PITA to put on/take off, and I was never happy with that much steel under such tension close to my legs. Are there any Flamingo owners out there who would care to comment on the need (or otherwise) to use bars on the new van?
Cheers, TonyD
Basil Faulty said
08:17 PM Sep 14, 2008
Welcome to the forum, good first question. Ok so tell us more about the Flamingo, what are you towing it with and what does it weigh? Generaly these should not need stabilisers, weight distribution hitches or the like as the GVM is around 1500 kg which would put the ball weight ideally at around 150kg which should well be within the capacity of most tow vehicles. Simple to check really, hitch it up on level ground and note the distance to the ground from somewhere on the towbar to the ground before hitching and after hitching. If after hitching there is a drop of more than 50mm then you may need weight distributors. If your rated ball load is not as much as your actual ball weight then weight distribution hitches will not make it "legal" eg if the ball weight for your towbar is say 80kg you can only legally put 80kg weight on it. Those figures should be on the plate on your towbar. But say it is 250kg and you only want to put 80kg on it you should not need anything extra....
-- Edited by Basil Faulty at 21:17, 2008-09-14
dave06 said
09:07 PM Sep 14, 2008
well g'day there tonyd and welcome to you, being a lightweight, I wouldnt have thought you would need distribution bars, like basil states, try the static test, if she droops wack em on if she dont, leave em off. watch how you load the van also, keep the weight to the centre as much as possible
Cupie said
08:11 AM Sep 15, 2008
G'day Tony,
The previous advice is sound. Be sure that your van & vehicle are loaded as you would for a trip. Some people take measurements before & after hitching at the centre of the wheel arches of the vehicle both front & rear.
My Hayman Reese manual says that the first measurements should be made at the front & rear of the van to ensure that it is set up level and that the drop at the tow ball when hitched aught be no more than 15mm. Of course this is part of a complicated process that ensures that the tow ball is at the correct height (adjustable on the Hayman Reece) and the springs are pulled up sufficiently.
Of course Hayman Reece is the 'Rolls Royce' of hitches (& priced as such) & may an overkill for a lightweight set up. '2 or 4 bar' set ups or the new Coast to Coast hitch may be suitable. What sort do you currently have?
I would not be concerned in the least about bars under tension. The only issue that I have heard of in this regard is from bad technique when releasing the spring bars. Just make sure that your feet are out of harms way as you release the tension & that you use correct Kinetic 'lifting' methods .. (eg. chin in back straight - use your leg, not back muscles).
If at all in doubt USE A WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION HITCH (correctly set up as per manufactures specs).
I have recently upgraded from an old Jayco Dove to a brand spanking new Flamingo.
On the old van I used substantial weight distribution bars (only because the bloke I bought it off said I needed to). They were a PITA to put on/take off, and I was never happy with that much steel under such tension close to my legs.
Are there any Flamingo owners out there who would care to comment on the need (or otherwise) to use bars on the new van?
Cheers, TonyD
Simple to check really, hitch it up on level ground and note the distance to the ground from somewhere on the towbar to the ground before hitching and after hitching. If after hitching there is a drop of more than 50mm then you may need weight distributors.
If your rated ball load is not as much as your actual ball weight then weight distribution hitches will not make it "legal" eg if the ball weight for your towbar is say 80kg you can only legally put 80kg weight on it. Those figures should be on the plate on your towbar. But say it is 250kg and you only want to put 80kg on it you should not need anything extra....
-- Edited by Basil Faulty at 21:17, 2008-09-14
G'day Tony,
The previous advice is sound. Be sure that your van & vehicle are loaded as you would for a trip. Some people take measurements before & after hitching at the centre of the wheel arches of the vehicle both front & rear.
My Hayman Reese manual says that the first measurements should be made at the front & rear of the van to ensure that it is set up level and that the drop at the tow ball when hitched aught be no more than 15mm. Of course this is part of a complicated process that ensures that the tow ball is at the correct height (adjustable on the Hayman Reece) and the springs are pulled up sufficiently.
Of course Hayman Reece is the 'Rolls Royce' of hitches (& priced as such) & may an overkill for a lightweight set up. '2 or 4 bar' set ups or the new Coast to Coast hitch may be suitable.
What sort do you currently have?
I would not be concerned in the least about bars under tension. The only issue that I have heard of in this regard is from bad technique when releasing the spring bars. Just make sure that your feet are out of harms way as you release the tension & that you use correct Kinetic 'lifting' methods .. (eg. chin in back straight - use your leg, not back muscles).
If at all in doubt USE A WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION HITCH (correctly set up as per manufactures specs).
cheers .. G