I read somewhere that you should unhook a w.d.h. when reversing, I have never done this 50 years of towing a van & never had any problems, could someone enlighten Me what is correct,
Joda.
Joda, WDH is better left off when reversing (also on dirt roads), it will restrict van turning when reversing. Older Al-Ko WDH's are notoriously problematic units - Dexter WDH's not so much.
I was told that Al-Ko purchased the rights off Dexter in order to solve their problems.
__________________
Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan
Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.
However I did once have a problem when positioning the combo when off road in a camping area. One bar dug into the turf while reversing.
That was when the tow vehicle was a Falcon SW. Van back then was a conventional "on-road" single axle with car tyres.
These days it is a Defender wagon. The tow ball is considerably higher and therefore the bars sit higher. And that is with the coupling on the lower side of the drawbar and the van is slightly nose down. Wheels on van are much bigger. Chassis sits much higher.
I say all this because in 2020 we did cross a bit of a gutter and then the kerb going into a down hill driveway and had the bars drag while going forward.
Never had it happen before and not since. But obviously it does happen.
So, be very careful to assess the territory before proceeding. Any chance of the tug's tail dipping and be prepared to remove the gear.
Also, any situation where the tug's nose comes up in relation to the van will put much extra strain on the bars and the rest of the hitch.
I never worried about it before due to the extra height, but now I scan ahead for undulations far more.
Joda, WDH is better left off when reversing (also on dirt roads), it will restrict van turning when reversing. Older Al-Ko WDH's are notoriously problematic units - Dexter WDH's not so much.
I was told that Al-Ko purchased the rights off Dexter in order to solve their problems.
Since when have Alko & Dexter made WDH's ?
I think you are confusing Electronic Sway Controls with WDH's
-- Edited by Bill B on Thursday 12th of January 2023 08:26:35 AM
I think you are confusing Electronic Sway Controls with WDH's
Correct Bill, it doesn't take much to confuse me these days - (Dexter don't make WDH) - The Al-Ko units causing problems when reversing and on rough roads applies to ESC units, not WDH's.
__________________
Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan
Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.
I read somewhere that you should unhook a w.d.h. when reversing, I have never done this 50 years of towing a van & never had any problems, could someone enlighten Me what is correct, Joda.
The makers suggest unhooking a the bars of your WDH when traversing dips such as reversing into a driveway etc as it may place too much tension onto your coupling/vehicle.
I guess it also depends on how overboard some folks go with purchasing a too heavy duty WDH.
They are rated by how many kg they transfer and in most cases the light/medium duty versions that transfer up to 80-135kg are really all most folks need.
I think some folks incorrectly think about their total tow ball weight and then go out and buy a WDH rated to that, instead of just how much of that weight they would like re-applied to the front axels and the corresponding "increase" in rear axel load that a WDH causes.
I read somewhere that you should unhook a w.d.h. when reversing, I have never done this 50 years of towing a van & never had any problems, could someone enlighten Me what is correct, Joda.
It is advisable. I have popped it off reversing in a tight turn (almost jack knifed), no damage done. Long arcs are fine, straight line fine too.
Should be qualified with 'reversing in a parking spot'.
At the end of the day, you will probably remove it to unhitch unless just reversing.
What ever suits.
-- Edited by deverall11 on Friday 13th of January 2023 09:34:57 AM
