Towing a Caravan

[Andy W]

I have just bought a new Bailey Ranger van and was wondering what setting do you have the suspension on, hard or soft? I have heard that using hard suspension stresses the vans chasis too much?? Is this correct?

Andy

[mud skipper]

I have just bought a new Bailey Ranger van and was wondering what setting do you have the suspension on, hard or soft? I have heard that using hard suspension stresses the vans chasis too much?? Is this correct?

Andy

hi andy congrats on new van
i have been told by a few people now not to use the hard setting when you have a caravan on the back, dont know why but hope it helps
john

[dirtydog]

what about people who tow with a pickup etc with hard rear suspension set ups?
its a new one on me...

[mud skipper]

what about people who tow with a pickup etc with hard rear suspension set ups?
its a new one on me...

thats wot i wondered when i was told, i cant see the stiffness of the tow cars rear end having any effect on the caravan thats attached.
john

[dirtydog]

I cant see it being a problem unless your noseweight is really wrong.

[marky]

I have just bought a new Bailey Ranger van and was wondering what setting do you have the suspension on, hard or soft? I have heard that using hard suspension stresses the vans chasis too much?? Is this correct?

Andy

I find that there is less wandering when set on HARD. Ive never had a problem

[kitesurf_phil]

I used the hard setting before I put new Milners 20% stronger springs on. Handling improved a lot.
The only time I use the hard setting now is if I am driving on the motorway with high cross winds. It seems to reduce the body roll from the really strong gusts.

[dirtydog]

i have milners uprated springs and adjustable rancho dampers which are on rock solid all the time. it doesnt roll much at all! I can do really tight looped motorway sliproads at 60




occasionally

[Tallyman]

I always tow my Pageant Bordeaux with the damping on hard, even though I have Milners 20% stronger springs fitted. I find mine wallows too much if I try towing with the damping on normal. I've also experimented with adding 4 psi to the rear tyres when towing (so 36psi). This does seem to make it run a bit easier although it's hard to tell as the back of the Surf is usually loaded up with all the extras as well when we go away, so it probably needs a bit more anyway.

Also, check your temperature guage regularly when towing. I found the ATF fluid was getting hotter and re-heating the coolant that was going back into the engine, therefore causing it to overheat. A second ATF oil cooler fixed that problem.

[TJG]

I always tow with dampers on hard and have 20% uprated springs. If I use soft then the car really wallows about. There may be a problem with shaking the caravan if I towed it with my LR Series 3 but no probs with the surf. Dixon Bate made these http://www.dixonbate.co.uk/html/shocklink.htm to solve the problem.

Does anyone have problems with the spare wheel hitting the handbrake when reversing on full lock?

[Andy W]

Ok Thanks for your help !
We are virgin caravanners (just moved up from a frame tent). I'll stick it on hard and see how it goes.
Also, I had to ditch my new stainless wheel cover as it fouls on the vans hand brake!

Andy

[kitesurf_phil]

I always tow with dampers on hard and have 20% uprated springs. If I use soft then the car really wallows about. There may be a problem with shaking the caravan if I towed it with my LR Series 3 but no probs with the surf. Dixon Bate made these http://www.dixonbate.co.uk/html/shocklink.htm to solve the problem.

Does anyone have problems with the spare wheel hitting the handbrake when reversing on full lock?

I don't have a problem with the spare hitting the handbrake lever. I dont know if it is anything to do with me having the slightly-more-sticky-out tow ball for the Alko stablising tow hitch.

[StevenN]

New van and things

I tow my van with the setting on hard as it seems to help the bounce up and down.

As your van could be new and light you should not find any problems.
You can tow quite a lot with a surf.

My only tip is to try to keep the speed up and the revs down. ie if you can travel by motorway to your site then do. Keep to around 60 with the auto box locked and you will find that you are towing at minimal extra cost.

The trick is how and when to use the ECT button. You will see that the temp will rise when you climb long hills.
True a second oil cooler will help but if you slow down a bit this will help as well.

regards

Steve

[Andy W]

I don't have a problem with the spare hitting the handbrake lever. I dont know if it is anything to do with me having the slightly-more-sticky-out tow ball for the Alko stablising tow hitch.

I have the Alko stabilzer set up also. I may have slightly bigger tyres being it 16" wheels on 3rd Gen. Dealer was puzzled as well ! It only just catches on the handbrake lever but would have bent it on a sharp corner.

Andy

[Esamed]

I always tow with dampers on hard and have 20% uprated springs. If I use soft then the car really wallows about. There may be a problem with shaking the caravan if I towed it with my LR Series 3 but no probs with the surf. Dixon Bate made these http://www.dixonbate.co.uk/html/shocklink.htm to solve the problem.

Does anyone have problems with the spare wheel hitting the handbrake when reversing on full lock?

yes