On the road to somewhere?

STRETCH ARMSTRONG · Senior Member

On the road to somewhere?

adreamer · Senior Member

STRETCH ARMSTRONG wrote:
Hey fellow nomads. Just about finished sorting gear, then on the road fulltime. Weapon of choice is a 2016 D-max and Goldstream RV. A farmstay near Echuca is the first destination, then possibly on to Greens Lake. Looking forward to seeing you out there.

See you at Greens in October.

Helen

STRETCH ARMSTRONG · Senior Member

Hope to see you there Helen. Such a big change to go onroad full time. A bit scary and also exciting at the same time. So much to learn and explore. Fred.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Welcome to the gang Stretch, enjoy here and out in the playground.

Greens is a good spot and I tell you that for free.

STRETCH ARMSTRONG · Senior Member

Thanks Dougwe. I was just reading a post about you not using WDH. Did you upgrade your rear springs or still on stock units? Cheers, stretch

the rocket · Guru

Hello, you will like green lake. Top spot.

macka17 · Guru

Hi.

ALL vans improve towing with either WDH or dual round bars fitted.
Controls both Hobby Horsing. and slightly, Swaying.

Some can't see it. and are quite happy.
but talk to, read any experts. Not individuals please.

I've towed vans for over 50 yrs.
Would NOT have one on back without a hitch.
PLUS re balanced suspension and shocks to suit.

The only vehicles on roads designed and built to tow decent loads. Are TRUCKS.
ALL others are make do. Modify. or hope.

Set your car to sit level. With FULL touring load AND both of you in there.
By boosting or changing springs\shocks to suit,

Load van to do same when on it's wheels and jockey wheel.
WITH desired Towbar weight on it. (that SHOULD balance load through van)

Couple them. Remove jockey wheel. and see where your middle bit settles.
Normally down a bit, or more than.

THAT's what you have to adjust with WDH.

It's also a good idea. B4 you start.
To take a note of your veh weight figures. write them down.
Go to weighbridge and do so. (Weigh)

Load. Balance. then go back to bridge and reweigh.
See where you are.

It comes naturally after a while. But lawmakers are getting keener.
Do it automatically. Then you'll never have a problem.
Just remember to have tug . Preferably. 1\2 a ton heavier than any load behind it.
For safety and control

Oh.
If you fit a Snorkel and 2 1\2 in Mandrel bent exhaust from Turbo.
It's a MUCH better tug.
Both bottom end and Torque wise. Believe me.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

STRETCH ARMSTRONG wrote:
Thanks Dougwe. I was just reading a post about you not using WDH. Did you upgrade your rear springs or still on stock units? Cheers, stretch

Mmmmm, not sure what post that was confuse but true it is.

I added one extra leaf to each rear spring, raising rear by 50mm and added an extra 200kg to rear carry weight. I only carry to the weight listed in owner manual knowing I have that 200 up my sleeve.

Tug and TeePee travel nice and level when hooked up. Nice and comfy in tug without TeePee too.

STRETCH ARMSTRONG · Senior Member

Thanks rocket and macka17. It sure is varied opinion on WBH. My previous van I did not use WDH but towball weight was 170kg, ATM 2000kg single axle. Did not have any issues at all. New van is TB 210kg and ATM 2750kg twin axle. Looking for best setup. Anderson WDH looks intresting. Thanks dougwe for the info. I found the old post using google. I have a space cab D-max that has a extra leaf on the back compared to the duel cab's, it's more the tradie ute to carry weight. I will have to do a fully loaded test soon to get a good look at the impact on the tug. Stretch.

macka17 · Guru

Check your weights. and read up on them plus WDH specially with larger vans.

You just may get a nasty surprise when the scalies stop you too.
Read up.
Specially about the weight of tug in relation to weight of tow.

A lot of posts on here have a lot of info on it too,
From lots of us.
At least with your King cab.
You can get tray weight more OVER than behind the axle.
(A good thing).

Bryan · Guru

Dougwe wrote:
STRETCH ARMSTRONG wrote:
Thanks Dougwe. I was just reading a post about you not using WDH. Did you upgrade your rear springs or still on stock units? Cheers, stretch

Mmmmm, not sure what post that was but true it is.
I added one extra leaf to each rear spring, raising rear by 50mm and added an extra 200kg to rear carry weight. I only carry to the weight listed in owner manual knowing I have that 200 up my sleeve.

Tug and TeePee travel nice and level when hooked up. Nice and comfy in tug without TeePee too.

I'm like Doug.40mm lift with heavier and balanced suspension. Tug and van sits straight without the need for a WDH. Van has ESC to control swaying. The lift enables me to tackle some very rough tracks (without van) without damage to car.

macka17 · Guru

Just a little tip. If your utes. Or anything else you use for towing.
Has Coil rears.

When you update the coils.

Go one size\dia up. Or whatever needed for your weights.
with the coils. and ask for. "2 in lift. PROGRESIVE RATE" coils.

They are softer when travelling empty.
But load up to true capacity when reach the compression point
for carrying.

THEM. With one step UP shockers. With a 2 or 3in lift. NOT 3 on Utes)
Give MUCH better load handling, More travel control.
Plus more secure (I.E. Less bounce).

I use EFS shocks. ELITE in my Utes.

XTR on My 2 Patrols, (Landcruiser\Troopie etc)

There is a cheaper model. but for towing. I'd use the Elite as the base model.
They've done a LOT of corrugations on last Patrol.
On there for 14 yrs of towing. Not one sprung a leak.

One thing.
DISREGARD this above about the coils.
IF you do Rock\climbing work.

It makes them too soft and tippy for that.
But beautiful for towing, travelling without van. ROAD work

Back in box.

-- Edited by macka17 on Tuesday 12th of September 2017 10:16:51 AM