We are newbies at this lifestyle so have A few questions.
We are currently in Brisbane awaiting the arrival of A new grandson so our adventure is on hold till after the new year. We have A Nissan Patrol manual 3litre turbo intercooled tug, and will be towing our Millard Endeavour (series 2) van. The tug has A towing capacity of 3200 and the van has A Tare of 1634 and ATM of 2034. So according to my research will be within the legal weights. (as long as we don't overload the van) is this correct ??
Also we are confused over the issue of weight levelling/ anti sway bars for the above set up. Can anyone recommend A set up that would suit this ?
Lastly any suggestions on which way to head at that time of the year ? We are not tied to any schedule just want to avoid any pitfalls. We are both wanting to work as we travel so any hints and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Steven and Glenis.
gooba53 said
09:37 PM Oct 27, 2013
Hi Steve and Glenis
welcome from my husband and myself. We've only had 12 weeks on the road, so there will be others more able to answer your queries. Just wanted to say hi.
Cheers Dianne and Stuart
Keith19837 said
03:14 AM Oct 28, 2013
Your weights sound fine. Just remember though that (in Vic at least) you have to add the weight of all passengers, fuel, water tanks, luggage, bed linen, foodstuffs, extra tyres and gas bottles etc. Having said that you seem to have a decent amount of 'leeway'.
For what it's worth.
Bunkerbob said
08:14 AM Oct 28, 2013
Go direct to a Reece Towbar Authorised Dealer. They will be able to check out your tow bar, supply the correct Weight Distribution System (Bigger and heavier is bettered) as well as giving useful advice. Not affiliated with Reece at all, but they are the best for very good reasons.
PeterD said
04:37 PM Oct 28, 2013
Bunkerbob wrote:
(Bigger and heavier is bettered)
This is not so. You should go for the correct size bars. Too small and you are wasting your money. Too large and you could crack up your drawbar.
You should weigh your ball weight with the van fully loaded and in its towing attitude. You then select the appropriate bars. As you are in BNE you could try Caboolture Caravan Repairs. (At least give them a call and check their opinion. If Barry is there have a chat with him.)
Baz421 said
01:14 AM Oct 29, 2013
PeterD wrote:
Bunkerbob wrote:
(Bigger and heavier is bettered)
This is not so. You should go for the correct size bars. Too small and you are wasting your money. Too large and you could crack up your drawbar.
You should weigh your ball weight with the van fully loaded and in its towing attitude. You then select the appropriate bars. As you are in BNE you could try Caboolture Caravan Repairs. (At least give them a call and check their opinion. If Barry is there have a chat with him.)
I second Peter's advice ref correct bar selection,,,, CCR are good as they provide good advice also.
oldbobsbus said
02:56 AM Oct 29, 2013
I may open a tin of worms here but back a few (lots) of years ago when I manufactured trailers for a living the rule of thumb then was to have your tow bar 14" above the ground on a level area and to have 100lbs on the tow ball for a perfect balance and tow..
Now it seems to me that the makers and resellers are telling us we can change that and load our units as we like then use their products to compensate for the way we have loaded our trailers..
Maybe it is time to get back to basics.
Keith19837 said
03:46 AM Oct 29, 2013
oldbobsbus wrote:
I may open a tin of worms here but back a few (lots) of years ago when I manufactured trailers for a living the rule of thumb then was to have your tow bar 14" above the ground on a level area and to have 100lbs on the tow ball for a perfect balance and tow.. Now it seems to me that the makers and resellers are telling us we can change that and load our units as we like then use their products to compensate for the way we have loaded our trailers.. Maybe it is time to get back to basics.
You're dead right Bob. Collyn RIVERS (the ex engineer turned writer, turned nomad) has a lot to say re this (and other) issue. Well worth a read on his articles.
back a few (lots) of years ago when I manufactured trailers for a living the rule of thumb then was to have your tow bar 14" above the ground on a level area and to have 100lbs on the tow ball for a perfect balance and tow.. Now it seems to me that the makers and resellers are telling us we can change that and load our units as we like then use their products to compensate for the way we have loaded our trailers..
The rule of thumb for caravans (as distinct from box trailers) was 10% of the vans weight on the ball. That was found to work for 5 metre vans.The larger ones should perhaps have more than 10% ball weight, particularly those with boxes and other weights hung on the rear.
To get a proper figure for ball weights you need to know the weight distribution in and around the van. In Europe they get away with 5 - 7% as their vans do not have much weight at the ends. They have smaller boots at the front, no kitchens in either end and do not hang even a bumper bar off the back end.
We are newbies at this lifestyle so have A few questions.
We are currently in Brisbane awaiting the arrival of A new grandson so our adventure is on hold till after the new year. We have A Nissan Patrol manual 3litre turbo intercooled tug, and will be towing our Millard Endeavour (series 2) van. The tug has A towing capacity of 3200 and the van has A Tare of 1634 and ATM of 2034. So according to my research will be within the legal weights. (as long as we don't overload the van) is this correct ??
Also we are confused over the issue of weight levelling/ anti sway bars for the above set up. Can anyone recommend A set up that would suit this ?
Lastly any suggestions on which way to head at that time of the year ? We are not tied to any schedule just want to avoid any pitfalls. We are both wanting to work as we travel so any hints and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Steven and Glenis.
Hi Steve and Glenis
welcome from my husband and myself. We've only had 12 weeks on the road, so there will be others more able to answer your queries. Just wanted to say hi.
Cheers Dianne and Stuart
Your weights sound fine. Just remember though that (in Vic at least) you have to add the weight of all passengers, fuel, water tanks, luggage, bed linen, foodstuffs, extra tyres and gas bottles etc. Having said that you seem to have a decent amount of 'leeway'.
For what it's worth.
This is not so. You should go for the correct size bars. Too small and you are wasting your money. Too large and you could crack up your drawbar.
You should weigh your ball weight with the van fully loaded and in its towing attitude. You then select the appropriate bars. As you are in BNE you could try Caboolture Caravan Repairs. (At least give them a call and check their opinion. If Barry is there have a chat with him.)
I second Peter's advice ref correct bar selection,,,, CCR are good as they provide good advice also.
Now it seems to me that the makers and resellers are telling us we can change that and load our units as we like then use their products to compensate for the way we have loaded our trailers..
Maybe it is time to get back to basics.
You're dead right Bob. Collyn RIVERS (the ex engineer turned writer, turned nomad) has a lot to say re this (and other) issue. Well worth a read on his articles.
Collyn Rivers' articles can be found here: http://www.caravanandmotorhomebooks.com/articles/index.html
The rule of thumb for caravans (as distinct from box trailers) was 10% of the vans weight on the ball. That was found to work for 5 metre vans.The larger ones should perhaps have more than 10% ball weight, particularly those with boxes and other weights hung on the rear.
To get a proper figure for ball weights you need to know the weight distribution in and around the van. In Europe they get away with 5 - 7% as their vans do not have much weight at the ends. They have smaller boots at the front, no kitchens in either end and do not hang even a bumper bar off the back end.
For more on the subject read this or this