Pendulum effect

mezza56 · Senior Member

Pendulum effect

Keith P · Senior Member

Yep..it don't. Had the same thing happen to me only about 6 weeks ago....and the tank only had about 40 litres in it !!. We had just left Bungendore Showground Camp ....heading up the long climb out Bungendore towards Braidwood....and a semi comin the other way set it off.....not bad but noticeable...so I had to persevere with it till Braidwood where it was emptied. Lesson learnt..empty it before leaving if possible.

Cheers Keith

-- Edited by Keith P on Thursday 21st of March 2019 10:44:39 PM

Mamil · Senior Member

This should be compulsory viewing for all caravan owners...

Caravan stability demonstration

-- Edited by Mamil on Thursday 21st of March 2019 10:57:56 PM

Yuglamron · Guru

A recent survey on FaceBook asked people how they would pack their Caravan. Where Light Medium and heavy Items were stored. The results showed that 27% of people really had no idea about where to stow their stuff. How accurate was the survey. Not overly scientific but the basic lack of knowledge was very apparent.

I see lots of Caravans on the road with stuff hanging off the rear bar. Most bars on the backs of vans rely on around eight inches of welds holding the bar to the chassis. Some of the better built ones maybe 12" of welds. Depending on the overhang and distance from the attachment point to the load, abeit one or two Spare wheels, tool boxes even generators The leverage is colossal. One of the most widespread , Towing companies in Australia has taken statistics from their attendance to thousands of incidents with Caravans and the number of rear bar failures are astounding. Not my figures but actual bar failures collated by them.

The longer the Van the leverage of a one kilo weight added to the rear is multiplied by the distance from the towball. Hence the pendulum effect shown in the Bristol University/Baileys Caravans demo shown on this post.

You also have to remember that in the UK and Europe it is recommended that your tug cannot tow more than 80% of the weight of the Tug. Check out the YouTube video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAfZ1N56qjY

-- Edited by Yuglamron on Friday 22nd of March 2019 01:43:18 AM

Jimmy Kwaka · Veteran Member

Before I even hooked our first van up, I had done a LOT of research into this. The internet, for all the drama it can cause, is also a very useful tool. When we tow now, our van is virtually empty, apart from lighter items like a bag of washing. We have no grey water tanks, but two fresh water ones, and we have them either both full. partially full, or empty. When camped, I change from one tank to the other every morning, so that we drain the tanks at an even rate. Hence the weight is about the same (hopefully) when we take off again. Yeah, we do have stuff stored under the double bed, but it is mounted at the front of the van, and we keep that weight down by storing lighter items. I had all these grandiose ideas about extra storage boxes on the rear end and over the drawbar, but really, if you need so much stuff that you require that, then a cull is in order.

We realised we took far too much crap on our last trip, even though we had culled, and that will never come with us again. Stuff you never actually used, but seemed like an indispensable and I cant get by without my Mum item before you left.

A lot of people have no idea how critical weight distribution is when towing. To the point where it is downright dangerous. This is not having a shot at them, or belittling them.

My wife, besides being THE WORST caravan-backing-into-a-tight-spot-assistant in the history of the known universe, also has no idea about all of this. I no longer listen to her objections. I tell her, you wanna drive the thing with the Long Long Trailer of Lucy collected rocks hanging off the back end, you go right ahead. I will stay in the carpark. In all other things, she rules. But not on this.

Having just read through my post and saying our van is virtually empty, that of course is not right. Clothes, food in cupboards and in the fridge, cans of beer (if anyone suggests culling those then you are off the Christmas list) and all the usual junk you have. I meant that nothing is carried in the van outside of storage areas. And for all the faults our new Jayco originally had, it has been well thought out regarding storage and being able to evenly place weight around it. So there.

iana · Guru

Our 24ft Jayco has independent suspension. When we picked up the van, they had put the two water tanks up forward, and the grey water tank in where the water tank is normally fitted behind the suspension. I removed the grey water tank, and fitted it up, north south between the suspension, and moved the forward water tank back where it should be. All the weight including batteries is concentrated over the wheels, tows well full or empty, no WDH.

Mariner30 · Senior Member

Fantastic movie that, Had a copy of it, No idea where it is now,

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Collyn Rivers has just released a new digital book about caravan stability.
www.rvbooks.com.au/
Cheers,
Peter

Knight · Senior Member

I have observed too many caravans not level, or slightly nose down on the tow ball, with the front too high or too low.

And they often sway and the drivers must feel it.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Some people just dont get it !! Driving or loading !! Drive 1000s of klrs across the country yet cannot back into a parking spot ! Yes they ARE on our roads !! Sheesh