Know car and caravan have to be level when hitched up. My question is, our cars height is 470 ground to hitch D035, the caravan we getting is 520 ground to hitch ( bottom hitch placed).
We looking at getting 80ml raiser for car tow bar section.
Would like any one had similar issue or any ideas
-- Edited by Deidrekomac on Wednesday 5th of February 2020 05:30:01 PM
You do not need to be level. A slight nose down on the caravan can help with stability. You do not want to be the other way however as any rise in the nose of the van or tail of the car can increase instability.
By the sounds of what you are describing, you will need to change your towbar tongue to something which will give you a more appropriate level though as the two levels are considerably apart at the moment.
Thanks Greg we are looking at a tongue with an with an 80 ml raise to allow for the difference we're hoping that that will be enough the caravan has the 6 inch chassis but with 4 inch raiser so quite a bit higher
Might be a tad tall but you can get adjustable ones that you can play around with. They have a few holes to allow for different van hitch heights and you can experiment a bit to arrive at the best for your rig.
Be cautious rolling it over. Some hitches only achieve their towball rating one way and if you reverse them the rating drops. You would need to check that before you do the deed.
Be cautious rolling it over. Some hitches only achieve their towball rating one way and if you reverse them the rating drops. You would need to check that before you do the deed.
I am not super with google but no common knowledge or reason that there is a right or wrong way of using a the square receiver on the tow bar.
Dont get confused with tow bar heights as its not a law, its a recommendation for car industry and common box trailers behind cars.
on a 40 minute drive here in Brisbane Northside in peak hour traffic, I managed to count 14 tow bars, 6 upside down.
Stupid people running around without there trailers and for people to walk into them.
The reason Radar, is that some tongues have gussetts welded either side to stiffen the bent section of the tongue to achieve ratings like the 3500kgs.
In some instances, if you roll it upside down, the gussetts are in tension rather than compression and the rating drops. I believe that this is so with the standard Ranger towbar tongue. It doesn't mean you cannot use it upside down, just that you cannot tow as much. It probably isn't across the board and there are more than likely tongues out there that rolling them over has no adverse affect, but I was pointing out, that in some instances, this is the case, and so to exercise caution before going ahead.
The reason Radar, is that some tongues have gussetts welded either side to stiffen the bent section of the tongue to achieve ratings like the 3500kgs. In some instances, if you roll it upside down, the gussetts are in tension rather than compression and the rating drops. I believe that this is so with the standard Ranger towbar tongue. It doesn't mean you cannot use it upside down, just that you cannot tow as much. It probably isn't across the board and there are more than likely tongues out there that rolling them over has no adverse affect, but I was pointing out, that in some instances, this is the case, and so to exercise caution before going ahead.
Hi Greg...That is correct,with the genuine Toyota tongue dropping to 3300kg capacity if it is 'upside down'. The $100 aluminium tongue that I at one stage tried,and rejected,has the same rating in either 'direction',but a I decided that I didn't trust it,although I do carry it as a spare! . Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Thursday 6th of February 2020 01:05:44 PM
2010 Holden Colorado was rated equal both ways, it is gone so no photo to prove it. Must check my Tojo tomorrow. Toyota is rated at 3500kg and is heavily gussetted around the right angle connection to towbar and down the vertical sides as well. It is a longer drop leg than most and does not have a rating plate if it wee to be reversed. Would look quite stupid as well ( the towball would be above rear step).
-- Edited by Craig1 on Friday 7th of February 2020 03:35:23 PM
Hi Deidrekomac,
I guess someone else has welcomed you to the forum.
When I had my Patrol (with a lift kit), I had the opposite problem but I bought one of those adjustable hitches & solved the issue. As Greg has mentioned they do have 4 holes where you can adjust the height but I recall the maximum weight you can pull with them is around 3000kg. Mine cost around $80 a couple of years ago. The one area that you may need to look at is how far back the hitch will extend your safety chains (most are long enough though).
Best of luck
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Warren
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