Hitch help

Beth54 · Guru

Hitch help

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

Doubt if you need a Weight Distribution Hitch - van seems to be a small(ish) light one. However, a different towbar is the solution - one that is either adjustable or just gives a higher towball height.

You could try these places -

Pedders Suspension -3/ 53 Eastern Rd, Browns Plains QLD 4118 -ph:(07) 3800 4288

or -

Aranda Towbars - 64 Compton Rd, Woodridge QLD 4114 - ph:(07) 3208 3022

Cheers - JohnOr -

Aranda Towbars - 64 Compton Rd, Woodridge QLD 4114 - ph:(07) 3208 3022

Cheers - John

-- Edited by rockylizard on Tuesday 29th of May 2012 01:01:08 PM

snapper49 · Senior Member

would also like to see a picture of you whole car with van attached from the side
to me it looks like yor car is also going down with the weight about 30-40mm ( WDH would solve this or upgrading your suspension)
going by your measurements your tow bar hitch does need replacing with one that is 60mm higher

-- Edited by snapper49 on Tuesday 29th of May 2012 01:59:22 PM

PeterD · Guru

As you have a FWD car you really should have a WDH. When you drop your van on the ball this not only drops the back a little but it raises the front. The resultant reduction of weight on the front wheels reduces the traction, braking and steering performance.

As your van has over-ride brakes I would suggest you don't use the shepherds crook bars as the friction of the bars on the 'J' cradle on the drawbar will impede the over-run brake operation. I would suggest http://caravansplus.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=8588 instead.

-- Edited by PeterD on Tuesday 29th of May 2012 02:49:24 PM

jimricho · Guru

I'm inclined to go along with PeterD's solution as it will level the vehicle (more important than the van) and, more importantly, distribute an appropriate proportion of the van's weight to the front axle which, as Peter points out, is the driving axle.

If you intend seeing the towbar supplier (as implied in your previous post) it may be worth running this idea past them as it seems to be a relatively inexpensive fix.

Jim

PS: If you raise the towball it would would probably be illegal without moving the number plate to new location on the rear of the car. That would be a real pain I think.

-- Edited by jimricho on Tuesday 29th of May 2012 04:48:31 PM

Beth54 · Guru

Yes, I think I'm leaning more towards changing vehicles, sadly.

I've been looking at ads to get some idea, and it seems for what I could sell Lucy for...somewhere between $11 & $13000...a deisel ute is in the same price range.

Eg: Mazda BT50, Nissan Navara, Ford Ranger etc. I have 56,000km on Lucy, so under 100,000 would be good. It'd have to be economical, as I'm on DSP, for anyone who doesn't know.

Friends have a BT50 and seem to be happy with it. Need to do some more research.

-- Edited by Beth54 on Tuesday 29th of May 2012 07:47:21 PM

Yuglamron · Guru

I think you are right the towball is too low for the towhitch on the van.

Not sure of the legal issues so would advise going to your RACQ or other club if you belong to one and ask for their advice.

I had to buy a lower tow tongue to keep my tow level so maybe just a higher positioned towball would be OK.

Safe travels

bill12 · Guru

I like looking at ebay, and the other car sales mobs such as trading post. Bt50s are availiable at your price range, but you have to look around. I bought my courier on ebay, and am happy. You have to have a bit of luck, I might add.The courier tows my van well, and they are quite a bit cheaper than the bt50, ranger , etc.The later model tubo diesels are the pick, I am told. Mine is non turbo and a bit slow on the hills. Good luck. Bill

ps . just been on ebay. check the ford rangers under$13000.

-- Edited by bill12 on Tuesday 29th of May 2012 08:43:35 PM

Scotty01 · Senior Member

Most towbars these days have detachable tongues and you can buy a range of different height ones, Consult one of the tow bar specialists in your area and they should be able to advise and order the correct tongue for your situation.

gst · Senior Member

Airbags may help

ozjohn · Guru

It's difficult to comment as the vehicle and van are not on a flat surface such as a concrete pad.
While the ball appear to be fairly low the tape measure says it 415mm high, so I'm guessing the end of the tape maybe in a sight depression in the ground.
Place the vehicle and van unattached with both level on a level flat surface and remeasure the height to the centre of the ball and the centre of the coupling.
Once the correct dimensions are known a solution to your problem maybe possible, but I'm thinking that without an adjustable tow ball tongue or similar you'll will probably be stuck with a nose down configuration.
Make and model of vehicle would also be of assistance.
Cheers, ozjohn.

Beth54 · Guru

Rockylizard, Aranda is where I had the towbar fitted, so that seems a good starting point.

Yuglamron, I know a couple of people who've also had to do that...gave the idea that it could be done in reverse. I don't think there's any legal issue with it but I'll certainly check.

Snapper49, yes, it does drop a little. I've already put bigger springs in, but I also suspect I need to be a bit more conscious of weight distribution. I had brother-in-law and sister...who are very experienced...helping me load, so I thought it'd be okay.

gst, airbags were discussed with a mechanic and rejected in favour of better springs.

Does the tow vehicle normally drop a little or is it not supposed to drop at all?

The Nipper is theoretically 560kg tare, and 750ATM. The maximum ball weight of the car is 75. The car can tow 1200kg with a brake system. It doesn't say if that is self breaking or electric breaks. The Nipper is self breaking.

Beth54 · Guru

Sorry ozjohn, I thought I'd put in the car details. It's a 2009 Hyundai i30 2lt petrol.

bill12 · Guru

It seems to me , from your photos, that you need some way to raise the back of your vehicle. Does it have coils or leaf springsin the back? Pump up shockys could help raise the back of the car, with some hardness in the back suspension the only drawback. My courier has helper springs and they make a big difference. Front wheel drive vehicles are not as good for towing as the biggest springs are on the front of the vehicle.Having the caravan and the vehicle on the same level makes everything line up easier, and also looks better.I hope this helps you. Bill

jimricho · Guru

I think you should wait until you've had a discussion with Aranda before coming to any conclusions about changing your vehicle. Also they should be able to advise whether a WDH would pose any potential problems for the A frame. In fact they may well advise a different approach rather than the WDH, you'll need to be guided by them.

Jim

PS: If you do change to a more suitable tug it's unlikely that you'll need a WDH for a small rig such as your's. I don't have one for my Goldstream/Pajero combination.

-- Edited by jimricho on Tuesday 29th of May 2012 10:23:48 PM

Beth54 · Guru

Thanks Bill, I thought you'd have some wise words too. wink

They're coil springs, but stirdier than the originals.

I'd actually come home from Cobb & Co thinking...not for the first time...that I need to change my car. I'm really reluctant to do that because I've had this car from new, and know everything that's been done to it.

Beth54 · Guru

jimricho wrote:
I'm inclined to go along with PeterD's solution as it will level the vehicle (more important than the van) and distribute an appropriate proportion of the van's weight to the front axle which, as Peter points out, is the driving axle.

If you intend seeing the towbar supplier (as implied in your previous post) it may be worth running this idea past them as it seems to be a relatively inexpensive fix.

Jim

Thanks Jim. Always good advise from you too. Yes, I think I'll go talk to Aranda tomorrow.

snapper49 · Senior Member

Peter D's solutio is good but be very wary at how much pressure you apply to the A frame of the van via the mounting brackets ie where the tension is taken up
being a nipper your A frame will be very light in construction and will need under trussing to take the force applied by levelling devices

Also airbags shouldnt be dimiseed
I have HD coils on the back of my terri and have put airbags in to support the coil springs
Excellent performance

Happywanderer · The Master

I hope you can get it sorted out with having to sell you lovely car Beth. You bought the nipper understanding it would be ok with your car. Hope it works out for you.

Beth54 · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:
I hope you can get it sorted out with having to sell you lovely car Beth. You bought the nipper understanding it would be ok with your car. Hope it works out for you.

Very true Marj. hmm

Happywanderer · The Master

Oops Beth, that should have read "without" having to sell your lovely car.

Beth54 · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:
Oops Beth, that should have read "without" having to sell your lovely car.

Yep, I realised that Marj.

bill12 · Guru

Thanks for the endorsement. I know how people(including me) get attatched to their cars, but its horses for courses. You hyunai was not designed for towing caravans, so make a list of cars that are 1.reliable.2. tough. 3. easy to fix.4 comfortable. Mix and swap to suit. I like deisel 4wd utes, but they are not for everyone. I am fortunate as I can do most of my own repairs.There are some nice vehicles about these days, and its fun looking. Good luck, Bill

Cruising Granny · Guru

I'm inclined to agree with Bill12. Your little car is already close to the ground, add the van and you don't have much clearance. I'd like to see you negotiate speed humps in caravan parks and car parks. Then there are pot holes and other adverse road surfaces.
You have to have some safe clearance, while keeping your front wheels firmly on the road for steering and traction.
I really think you're asking a lot of your little red car. Even if you could use a raised hitch with levellers I fear you will too close to the road.
See what sort of advice you can muster to put you in the safest position. Good luck.

03_troopy · Guru

Personally, I'd upgrade the car to a family size sedan at least. It looks like there is minimal ground clearance with the Hyundai and it is probably asking a lot of it to tow the van comfortably anyway. Although, I can understand your reluctance to change a vehicle that you are obviously happy with in other respects.

Happywanderer · The Master

Did you have any problems with the camper trailer before beth?

Beth54 · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:
Did you have any problems with the camper trailer before beth?

Not at all, it only weighed 120kg!

Travel Bug · Guru

What a bu**er Beth!! I know how you love your car.

Good luck at Aranda. Hopefully they can offer a solution.

Beth54 · Guru

Travel Bug wrote:
What a bu**er Beth!! I know how you love your car.
Good luck at Aranda. Hopefully they can offer a solution.

Thanks Pam. smile

PeterD · Guru

snapper49 wrote:
Speaks for itself and Ive seen a few and repaired same

That looks to be a much heavier van with a much more robust WDH on a draw-bar that is not much more substantial than the Nippers.

Single bar shepherds crook WDH (60 kg max capacity) did not put any bend in our Nippers drawbar but it did effect the brakes a bit. The bars with chain attachment/suspension to the draw-bar were not available then.

-- Edited by PeterD on Wednesday 30th of May 2012 02:22:51 PM