Hi everyone, how's the heat treating you? We want to say thanks to everyone who helped with suggestions for our sail tracking........ All set up now .
Our next 'beginners' question is this: We've been told that we definitely need to invest in some stabiliser bars if we are towing a van. Our van is a 16.5 footer and our vehicle can tow double the capacity of our van. What do you reckon? AND any second hand Hayman and Reese bars out their for sale?
-- Edited by Chicka52 on Sunday 4th of January 2015 03:22:27 PM
brickies said
03:43 PM Jan 4, 2015
I have towed without them and with them and would not tow with out them now
Olley46 said
04:05 PM Jan 4, 2015
Chicka52 wrote:
Hi everyone, how's the heat treating you? We want to say thanks to everyone who helped with suggestions for our sail tracking........ All set up now .
Our next 'beginners' question is this: We've been told that we definitely need to invest in some stabiliser bars if we are towing a van. Our van is a 16.5 footer and our vehicle can tow double the capacity of our van. What do you reckon? AND any second hand Hayman and Reese bars out their for sale
-- Edited by Chicka52 on Sunday 4th of January 2015 03:22:27 PM
I know where there is a brand new set still in the box,the only thing that has been used is the hitch ,the owner is asking about $500.00 for the kit complete,I think they are about $1000.00 new this kit is the old type not the latest ,the hitch has the adjustable cams on it,only problem they are in Melbourne Victoria.these are genuine Hayman Reese 550 LBS SET
Lance C
-- Edited by Olley46 on Sunday 4th of January 2015 04:14:33 PM
-- Edited by Olley46 on Sunday 4th of January 2015 07:24:57 PM
hako said
05:17 PM Jan 4, 2015
Check on Gumtree and Ebay for 2nd hand units - I bought mine for $50 on Ebay although they are shepherds crook type for up to 120KG ball weight. There are different designs out there but they all are variations on a common theme which is to transfer weight from the rear wheels to the front wheels of the tug. As an example of what you can get for your money 2nd hand I've attached a link for bars for a Ford Territory which are probably Hayman Reese or very similar. http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/toowoomba-4350/other-parts-accessories/ford-territory-load-distribution-hitch/1053367549
-- Edited by hako on Sunday 4th of January 2015 05:17:50 PM
Olley46 said
07:24 PM Jan 4, 2015
Hi Denis
If you have a look on the Hayman Reece sight those Shepard hook type bars single or double are only for trailers and the likes,I had that type before the heavy HR bars and they didn't do a thing , good for trailers not caravans ,that is my experience with them.
Lance C
hako said
09:26 PM Jan 4, 2015
Olley46 wrote:
Hi Denis
If you have a look on the Hayman Reece sight those Shepard hook type bars single or double are only for trailers and the likes,I had that type before the heavy HR bars and they didn't do a thing , good for trailers not caravans ,that is my experience with them.
Lance C
Depends on where you look - Caravansplus list them with the Hayman Reese WDH's and say they are for caravans. They've been used for years and years but only for up to 125KG ball weight. Most new vans are well above that weight-wise more is the pity. On my Territory they lift the rear up 30mm when installed. Just because they are cheaper does not mean they are no good.
-- Edited by hako on Sunday 4th of January 2015 09:26:55 PM
TechnoGypsy said
06:44 AM Jan 5, 2015
The Hayman Reece Weight Distribution System - as shown costs $750 new (in W.A.)
Hayman Reeses famous 600lb kit is a 600lb/275kg rated system and is by far the most popular towing aid in Australia. This kit suits trailers that have a ball weight between 135kg and 275kg.
and there is one for caravans with heavier tow ball weights
The 800lb kit relies on heavier gauge spring bars than the 600lb to handle heavier trailers. As the name implies, the 800lb kit is designed to work with trailers that have a ball weight between 275kg and 365kg.
As suggested by others = browse The Trading Post / Gumtree and EBay for second hand.
Hi Ckikka52 We tow a 17.5 Ft Coromal at just under 2 tonne with a navara D22. We originally used a hitch but found the ride harsh and used to find cupboards and drawers open after travel on rougher roads and contents shaken around. Towards the end of our travels in 2013 I tried towing without the hitch fitted and found the ride of the set up much less harsh on rough roads and no more problems with cupboard etc. coming open. In 2014 we traveled 19000 Km all without the hitch with no problems what so ever with the rig. From your post I assume something similar in weight to ours so i would suggest you try the set up first before you waste money on maybe unnecessary items. Bear in mind these items are not stabilizers OR sway controllers they just compensate for loading issues. They also impose some very heavy torsional forces on drawbar and towbar/chassis.
Alan
-- Edited by Brenda and Alan on Monday 5th of January 2015 09:23:50 AM
-- Edited by Brenda and Alan on Monday 5th of January 2015 10:28:36 PM
2weis said
09:34 AM Jan 5, 2015
have you checked that your veh manufacture allows the use of wdh and what restrictions come with using them :ie lower speed
I use eaz lift brand and I think the are slightly better design than hayman reece because the bars don't bend and point to the ground at the end
brian
ps
I picked mine up on e bay for $200
Jaahn said
10:49 AM Jan 5, 2015
Hi
Just my two cents worth. I have used those sheperds crook type for years towing smaller caravans and car trailers some longer distances. Mostly towing with cars or Toyota minivans. They work OK. I have never towed a heavy caravan nor had a 4WD either. Gee how can I have got anywhere good ?
To be technically correct the bars, whatever the brand or type do do several things. They transfer weight from the rear suspension to the front suspension. They lift the rear up. They also give friction at the coupling which damps out swaying at the coupling. These attributes have been known for 50 or 60 years and documented in the past when caravanning became popular after the second world war. They are not a new invention. Perhaps the actual mechanics of fitting them to the vehicles have changed a bit to be more friendly.
Like all things mechanical they must be used within their limits and are not a panacea for problems but an assist for a better rig. I have seen people pull up vast amounts of weight to lift a incorrectly loaded rig. Now that's just a recipe for trouble IMHO. Not to mention as has been said there are large forces put into the tow bar and chassis when you do this. Know what you are doing as in all things.
Good towing Jaahn
PeterD said
11:46 AM Jan 5, 2015
Olley46 wrote: I know where there is a brand new set still in the box,the only thing that has been used is the hitch ,the owner is asking about $500.00 for the kit complete,I think they are about $1000.00 new this kit is the old type not the latest ,the hitch has the adjustable cams on it,only problem they are in Melbourne Victoria.these are genuine Hayman Reese 550 LBS SET
Lance, tell the owner he is overpricing them - See this link
Olley46 said
05:22 PM Jan 5, 2015
PeterD wrote:
Olley46 wrote: I know where there is a brand new set still in the box,the only thing that has been used is the hitch ,the owner is asking about $500.00 for the kit complete,I think they are about $1000.00 new this kit is the old type not the latest ,the hitch has the adjustable cams on it,only problem they are in Melbourne Victoria.these are genuine Hayman Reese 550 LBS SET
Lance, tell the owner he is overpricing them - See this link
Thanks Peter have informed him going to put $400.00 still a bit steep going by the new price I thought they retailed for about $1000.00 gess I was well out .
Lance C
Bello said
06:34 PM Jan 6, 2015
Stabiliser bars are alot different to WDH.
WDH should be on every vehicle/ caravan combination. Keeps things level, a great safety factor.
Stabiliser Bars keep things straight, cost a bit but are very good, but not a necessity,
Hi everyone, how's the heat treating you? We want to say thanks to everyone who helped with suggestions for our sail tracking........ All set up now .
Our next 'beginners' question is this: We've been told that we definitely need to invest in some stabiliser bars if we are towing a van. Our van is a 16.5 footer and our vehicle can tow double the capacity of our van. What do you reckon? AND any second hand Hayman and Reese bars out their for sale?
-- Edited by Chicka52 on Sunday 4th of January 2015 03:22:27 PM
I know where there is a brand new set still in the box,the only thing that has been used is the hitch ,the owner is asking about $500.00 for the kit complete,I think they are about $1000.00 new this kit is the old type not the latest ,the hitch has the adjustable cams on it,only problem they are in Melbourne Victoria.these are genuine Hayman Reese 550 LBS SET
Lance C
-- Edited by Olley46 on Sunday 4th of January 2015 04:14:33 PM
-- Edited by Olley46 on Sunday 4th of January 2015 07:24:57 PM
Check on Gumtree and Ebay for 2nd hand units - I bought mine for $50 on Ebay although they are shepherds crook type for up to 120KG ball weight. There are different designs out there but they all are variations on a common theme which is to transfer weight from the rear wheels to the front wheels of the tug. As an example of what you can get for your money 2nd hand I've attached a link for bars for a Ford Territory which are probably Hayman Reese or very similar.
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/toowoomba-4350/other-parts-accessories/ford-territory-load-distribution-hitch/1053367549
-- Edited by hako on Sunday 4th of January 2015 05:17:50 PM
Hi Denis
If you have a look on the Hayman Reece sight those Shepard hook type bars single or double are only for trailers and the likes,I had that type before the heavy HR bars and they didn't do a thing , good for trailers not caravans ,that is my experience with them.
Lance C
Depends on where you look - Caravansplus list them with the Hayman Reese WDH's and say they are for caravans. They've been used for years and years but only for up to 125KG ball weight. Most new vans are well above that weight-wise more is the pity. On my Territory they lift the rear up 30mm when installed. Just because they are cheaper does not mean they are no good.
http://caravansplus.com.au/catalog/index.php?cPath=51_1001_435
Regards
-- Edited by hako on Sunday 4th of January 2015 09:26:55 PM
The Hayman Reece Weight Distribution System - as shown costs $750 new (in W.A.)
![600-800lbweight-distribution-system[1].jpg](/download.spark?ID=1657365&aBID=51933 "600-800lbweight-distribution-system[1].jpg")
Hayman Reeses famous 600lb kit is a 600lb/275kg rated system and is by far the most popular towing aid in Australia. This kit suits trailers that have a ball weight between 135kg and 275kg.
and there is one for caravans with heavier tow ball weights
The 800lb kit relies on heavier gauge spring bars than the 600lb to handle heavier trailers. As the name implies, the 800lb kit is designed to work with trailers that have a ball weight between 275kg and 365kg.
As suggested by others = browse The Trading Post / Gumtree and EBay for second hand.
Hi Ckikka52 We tow a 17.5 Ft Coromal at just under 2 tonne with a navara D22. We originally used a hitch but found the ride harsh and used to find cupboards and drawers open after travel on rougher roads and contents shaken around. Towards the end of our travels in 2013 I tried towing without the hitch fitted and found the ride of the set up much less harsh on rough roads and no more problems with cupboard etc. coming open. In 2014 we traveled 19000 Km all without the hitch with no problems what so ever with the rig. From your post I assume something similar in weight to ours so i would suggest you try the set up first before you waste money on maybe unnecessary items. Bear in mind these items are not stabilizers OR sway controllers they just compensate for loading issues. They also impose some very heavy torsional forces on drawbar and towbar/chassis.
Alan
-- Edited by Brenda and Alan on Monday 5th of January 2015 09:23:50 AM
-- Edited by Brenda and Alan on Monday 5th of January 2015 10:28:36 PM
I use eaz lift brand and I think the are slightly better design than hayman reece because the bars don't bend and point to the ground at the end
brian
ps
I picked mine up on e bay for $200
Hi
Just my two cents worth. I have used those sheperds crook type for years towing smaller caravans and car trailers some longer distances. Mostly towing with cars or Toyota minivans. They work OK. I have never towed a heavy caravan nor had a 4WD either. Gee how can I have got anywhere good ?
To be technically correct the bars, whatever the brand or type do do several things. They transfer weight from the rear suspension to the front suspension. They lift the rear up. They also give friction at the coupling which damps out swaying at the coupling. These attributes have been known for 50 or 60 years and documented in the past when caravanning became popular after the second world war. They are not a new invention. Perhaps the actual mechanics of fitting them to the vehicles have changed a bit to be more friendly.
Like all things mechanical they must be used within their limits and are not a panacea for problems but an assist for a better rig. I have seen people pull up vast amounts of weight to lift a incorrectly loaded rig. Now that's just a recipe for trouble IMHO. Not to mention as has been said there are large forces put into the tow bar and chassis when you do this. Know what you are doing as in all things.
Good towing Jaahn
Lance, tell the owner he is overpricing them - See this link
Thanks Peter have informed him going to put $400.00 still a bit steep going by the new price I thought they retailed for about $1000.00 gess I was well out .
Lance C
Stabiliser bars are alot different to WDH.
WDH should be on every vehicle/ caravan combination. Keeps things level, a great safety factor.
Stabiliser Bars keep things straight, cost a bit but are very good, but not a necessity,
Good luck