I know that some of you have been following Lulu's reno, so I thought I'd tell you the latest. Dan to the rescue again!
2nd son Rob had fitted the new springs last week. Yesterday, 1st son Dan came out to sort the weight distribution problem. The ball weight turned out to be 95kg...way to heavy for Lucy's 75kg ball weight. And this was without the water tank! Rob had taken it off and they were scratching their heads trying to decide where to replace it.
So we started taking everything out and weighing them. Even the pole carrier came off the front. I was amazed at the weight of some things. And it all adds up of course! Even after taking everything out, it was still too front heavy. We needed to get more weight on the back.
Dan decided to move the spare tyre from front to back somehow. So this is what he came up with. The bumper was a bit of 4x2 steel that had been laying around their Dad's yard for 25 years. (His place is like a junkyard, never know what you'll find.)
The bonus is that the bumper will protect the tail lights, and I came up with the idea of putting the poles inside instead of having a pole carrier!
(They experimented all this before actually welding it all into place.)
The ball weight came down to 66kg empty, with bumper, spare wheel and poles on the back. I'll still have to be careful how I load, but this is going to make a helluva difference.
I didn't realise how worried I was until Dan came up with this. What a relief!
Looks good , Beth.You see- men are good for somethings.I would love to have a look at your van and talk to your rellies, and compare my humble vehicle. They look very soimilar , in some ways. Bill
Looks good , Beth.You see- men are good for somethings.I would love to have a look at your van and talk to your rellies, and compare my humble vehicle. They look very soimilar , in some ways. Bill
Yes, they are...sometimes. Any time you're down this way Bill, I'll arrange a get together. You'd fit right in with my menfolk!
Yes Doug, I have yet to take her over the weighbridge. Apparently Rob has to make a minor adjustment to his fitting of the springs...something needs to be turned around the other way??? I can't take it anywhere til he's done that.
Once the weight distribution is sorted, we can then look at the problem of the car being lower than the caravan. And of course, the new springs have made it a little higher still.
Rob's returning to Darwin in a couple of weeks, so it'll be the other menfolk sorting out that little 'hitch'...pun intended!
Marj, someone recommended a short trip, as the springs will need to be tightened up again, before setting out in October. So hopefully...
God what a fiasco this has been! I just want it to be finished!
Yeh but look at all the fun you will have when it's all finished Beth. I am looking forward to seeing Lulu first hand and your good self when you both get down this way.
__________________
Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
Yeh but look at all the fun you will have when it's all finished Beth. I am looking forward to seeing Lulu first hand and your good self when you both get down this way.
I know that some of you have been following Lulu's reno, so I thought I'd tell you the latest. Dan to the rescue again!
2nd son Rob had fitted the new springs last week. Yesterday, 1st son Dan came out to sort the weight distribution problem. The ball weight turned out to be 95kg...way to heavy for Lucy's 75kg ball weight. And this was without the water tank! Rob had taken it off and they were scratching their heads trying to decide where to replace it.
So we started taking everything out and weighing them. Even the pole carrier came off the front. I was amazed at the weight of some things. And it all adds up of course! Even after taking everything out, it was still too front heavy. We needed to get more weight on the back.
Dan decided to move the spare tyre from front to back somehow. So this is what he came up with. The bumper was a bit of 4x2 steel that had been laying around their Dad's yard for 25 years. (His place is like a junkyard, never know what you'll find.)
The bonus is that the bumper will protect the tail lights, and I came up with the idea of putting the poles inside instead of having a pole carrier!
(They experimented all this before actually welding it all into place.)
The ball weight came down to 66kg empty, with bumper, spare wheel and poles on the back. I'll still have to be careful how I load, but this is going to make a helluva difference.
I didn't realise how worried I was until Dan came up with this. What a relief!
G'Day, I don't want to scare you, but it might be worth reading Collyn RIVERS on 'pendulum effect'. This is when extra weight is added to the front or rear of a caravan and that weight increases it's mass the further fore or aft it is. It is more prevalent to vans over 16 feet but still has a serious bearing on smaller vans too. You can read many of his articles on line by googling Collyn Rivers articles. For what it's worth.
And this was without the water tank! Rob had taken it off and they were scratching their heads trying to decide where to replace it. 
Any time you're down this way Bill, I'll arrange a get together. You'd fit right in with my menfolk! 
