D3Savage
Member Since: 30 May 2014
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 98
  
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| Detachable tow bar height |
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Hi I have ordered a new Discovery with the std removable tow bar ....... I watched the Practical Caravan review and they used the detachable tow bar with a 4 wheel outfit - with no problem. Question ..... will this tow bar height be ok for the average caravan ......... could this be an issue. I wanted to avoid the huge HD steel monster of a bar assembly. Any thoughts.....how have others on this forum managed.
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 9th Jul 2014 2:12 pm |
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DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
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I use the detachable for the twin axle 8m and the single axle 5.5m caravan and it sits level on both. Duncan
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If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D4 SE TECH MY15 SOLD
D4 XS MY12 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D3 HSE MY06 - Re-Cycled Worldwide
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| 9th Jul 2014 2:13 pm |
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D3Savage
Member Since: 30 May 2014
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 98
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It dawned on me that suspension is adjustable ............. however, I think I am right in saying that the system sets itself back to normal ....... at a certain speed.........can anybody clarify???
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| 9th Jul 2014 2:22 pm |
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D3Savage
Member Since: 30 May 2014
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 98
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Thanks DiscoDunc ..... that is some comfort my van is 5.6m.... Bailey Unicorn
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| 9th Jul 2014 2:24 pm |
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DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
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correct. so you need to get the level right at "normal" height.
but as I say, I find the detachable towbar sits just right for our caravans. Duncan
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If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D4 SE TECH MY15 SOLD
D4 XS MY12 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D3 HSE MY06 - Re-Cycled Worldwide
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| 9th Jul 2014 2:25 pm |
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DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
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there will be some who will say don't tow with the removeable etc etc  ,
but unless you are towing every day for a 100 years, then it will be fine.
ive used the removeable since 2006 and tow quite regularly - although I do have the adjustabke on at the moment, simple because I havnt got round to taking it off after towing the off-road trailer:roll: Duncan
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If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D4 SE TECH MY15 SOLD
D4 XS MY12 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D3 HSE MY06 - Re-Cycled Worldwide
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| 9th Jul 2014 2:28 pm |
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D3Savage
Member Since: 30 May 2014
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 98
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I am being cautious as I am new at towing ....... and I know that setting the tow hitch height, the nose weight and weight distribution are critical ..........
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| 9th Jul 2014 2:36 pm |
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DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
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the D3/D4 will tow better if the nose weight is heavier. the max on caravan chassis is 100Kgs although the D4 can go upto 150Kg. the lower it is the more the van bounces around unnoticed !!
having said that my twin axle is at 130Kgs, !!!, the single axle at 100Kgs Duncan
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If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D4 SE TECH MY15 SOLD
D4 XS MY12 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D3 HSE MY06 - Re-Cycled Worldwide
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| 9th Jul 2014 2:41 pm |
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nigel207
Member Since: 26 Mar 2009
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 1344
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The 100kg of the caravan hitch shouldn't be exceeded even though the car has a 150kg limit.
LR always supply their vehicles with detachable towbars for testing, and I can confirm that in the eight years that Practical Caravan/What Car? have been doing their Tow Car Awards there's never been a problem towing a fully ballasted (the the caravans' maximum and 100kg noseweight) twin axle Swift/Sterling caravan despite them being thrown all over the place on test tracks - with LR products that is! Can't say the same for some of the Far Eastern abominations!!!
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| 9th Jul 2014 5:04 pm |
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D3Savage
Member Since: 30 May 2014
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 98
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Hi thanks for all your comments ..... it sounds like the hitch is positioned around about the right height...before taking caravan I will get supplier to check the nose weight of caravan ........ and then
position awning inside to bring the nose weight close to 100kg....
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| 10th Jul 2014 12:46 pm |
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DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
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to check the nose weight I bought a set of FatBoy Scales :
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/1027738.htm
they go upto 180Kgs !!
and an axle stand. put the stand on the scales and lower the hitch on the axle stand so the jockey wheel comes off the ground. the stand is about the same height at the tow ball 
not 100% accurate but more than good enough Duncan
-----------------------------------------------------
If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D4 SE TECH MY15 SOLD
D4 XS MY12 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D3 HSE MY06 - Re-Cycled Worldwide
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| 10th Jul 2014 12:58 pm |
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phl
Member Since: 07 Dec 2012
Location: Sydney
Posts: 111
 
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nigel207 wrote:The 100kg of the caravan hitch shouldn't be exceeded even though the car has a 150kg limit.
It's interesting that the Australian version comes with a hitch receiver and hitch that is rated to 300kg. It's different to the UK style hitch though.
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| 10th Jul 2014 1:52 pm |
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nigel207
Member Since: 26 Mar 2009
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 1344
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Do you need the extra capacity for your supply of "tinnies" when you go Out-Back? 
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| 10th Jul 2014 4:21 pm |
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DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
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I thought the AUS/US limit was 350Kg - but the additional 200Kgs had to be deducted from the load of circa500Kg that is allowed in the vehicle ??
im sure I read that somewhere.  Duncan
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If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D4 SE TECH MY15 SOLD
D4 XS MY12 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D3 HSE MY06 - Re-Cycled Worldwide
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| 10th Jul 2014 4:31 pm |
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L319
Member Since: 14 Dec 2013
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 2080
  
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I see the 2" receiver for USA models has tongue ( which I presume is the same as hitch) load of 550lbs (249kg). It is obviously very market specific.
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| 10th Jul 2014 5:30 pm |
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