Member Since: 04 Dec 2012
Location: W.Mids
Posts: 199
Don't confuse the max tow hitch load rating with the vans standard weight on jocky wheel.
There is tollerance built in to tow hitch / tow ball ratings, altho many are used above the max rating with little ill effects, many factors will determine at what point they will fail,
Sry cant sleep I'm off on 1 again.RRSport MY12hse but don't hold that against lill o me
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All alone in my own little world,
But everybody knows me there, so I'm ok.
Have you actually checked the nose weight at hitch height, I think you need to check that first
15th Jun 2013 7:25 am
rockcrawler
Member Since: 31 Oct 2012
Location: Ferring
Posts: 2884
I think its a nose weight issue too. I tow a twin axle Bailey Loire regularly with a detachable towbar and have never encountered this problem before even though I keep a fair amount of ( just in case equipement ) in the front locker. D3 Metropolis Bonatti Grey-Alpaca Leather-adaptive headlights-fridge-EGR blanking kit-Harmen Karden-Cruise-4x4 info enabled-Tinted Windows-Heated F&R Seats-Rosen rear Entertainment-LED'S everywhere -Smoked Side Repeaters-Rear Aircon-Vredestein Wintrac 4 Extreme-Puddle and Footwell Lamps-Stainless Steel Side Protection Tubes- NEW ASHTRAY ( thanks to dsd1036 )
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15th Jun 2013 7:38 am
al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10361
also, what do Bailey say the noseweight for your 'van should be when empty. I cant believe it is noseweight neutral. Even the new layouts with gas bottle storage in the center should have some noseweight, or is the expectation that you load the 'van yourself to create noseweight?
OK - it might be that the manual only states the max noseweight (as somebody has already said - most likely to be 100kg), but Bailey should be able to tell you what it is ex-factory.
In old money - most common towball center height was approx 16" off the floor on level ground. With your engine running (so that the suspension has self levelled) - whats your towball center height?
If the 'vans hitch height is higher than that, with the jockey wheel fully up, then it sounds to me like the 'van is tail heavy, assuming you haven't loaded it with anything yet, which doesnt sound at all right. Call Bailey's tech dept to see what they say about that specific model (rather than generic twin axles)
Here's our Olympus on the back of the D3 - Fractionally nose down, which to me is perfect running postion.
Click image to enlarge
I'm always amazed at how it makes the D3 look small
AlVolvo XC90 B5 Plus Dark
Gone - MY18 D5 HSE - Corris on 22's with Black Pack
Now gone - MY16 D4 SE Tech, Loire Blue, Almond Leather, Privacy, plus some other goodies.
Old - MY12 D4 SDV6 XS Auto - Ipanema Sand with Almond Leather - Plus other niceties, and D4.com sticker
Older - D3 TDV6 XS Auto - Lugano Teal with Almond Leather, 20" Stormers, Shiny Tailpipes, DVD/TV - and obligatory D3 sticker
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15th Jun 2013 7:48 am
xyplex
Member Since: 13 Jan 2013
Location: Bedfordshire
Posts: 240
gvw wrote:
Like you say, knowing if this is normal for this model of van to balance without aid of jockey wheel would give some answers.
If the gas bottle and battery are further back then it looks like the only weight at the front of the van is the 2 bench seats?
Is assume there is storage under these seats which would give nose weight.
Are there any other storage areas up front as all the weight seems to be at the back, shower etc
which would explain the lack of noseweight?
The caravans bathroom is at the rear
15th Jun 2013 8:28 am
xyplex
Member Since: 13 Jan 2013
Location: Bedfordshire
Posts: 240
Washwipe wrote:
Have you actually checked the nose weight at hitch height, I think you need to check that first
The nose weight is zero as the caravan is balancing on the twin axle wheels. I tried to use a nose weight checker but because the van caravan does not tilt down and I cant measure it. Please note that when i hitch up the disco 4 pulls the caravan nose down.
15th Jun 2013 8:30 am
Russell
Member Since: 23 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
Click image to enlarge
Here is mine fully loaded ready to go off to France, bathroom is also at the back. MY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
MY15 D4 HSE Kaikoura Stone
MY12 D4 HSE Nara Bronze Sold and gone
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15th Jun 2013 8:38 am
Russell
Member Since: 23 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
There should be some nose weight even when emptyMY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
MY15 D4 HSE Kaikoura Stone
MY12 D4 HSE Nara Bronze Sold and gone
MY11 D4 HSE Stornaway Grey Sold and gone
D3 S spec Silver Sold and gone
Tow bar, full length roof bars, side steps, tow bar storage unit, surround camers.
D4 camera club
15th Jun 2013 8:39 am
xyplex
Member Since: 13 Jan 2013
Location: Bedfordshire
Posts: 240
does anyone have a picture of a twin axle caravan unhitched with the jockey wheel fully retracted?
I want to see how far the nose hitch drops down.
15th Jun 2013 9:00 am
Chippy
Member Since: 05 Jan 2012
Location: Surrey
Posts: 520
Gentlemen it has to be said, We Disco chaps have some cool looking outfits! 8)
15th Jun 2013 9:06 am
Klinkhammer
Member Since: 02 Jul 2012
Location: Highlands
Posts: 266
I have a twin axle Bailey Pegasus and park it on a hill with the nose pointing up hill and can fully retract the jockey wheel so like others here lack of noseweight not an issue. Hitched up to detachable towball runs level.
Really think it sounds like noseweight issue.
What happens if you get a couple of people to stand up in the front of the van and try and hitch up?
No noseweight is a serious issue and will give you an unstable outfit.I'm to old to know everything......
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15th Jun 2013 9:17 am
al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10361
Thats why I have pointed out 2 things
1) What do Bailey say the ex-works, empty, noseweight is for this model of 'van, and
2) if it is neutral, then it looks like its up to the owner to load it in such a way that he gets some positive (say 100kg) noseweight.
I think if he does get 100kg nosewieght, the 'van will sit fine on his detachable towbar.
AlVolvo XC90 B5 Plus Dark
Gone - MY18 D5 HSE - Corris on 22's with Black Pack
Now gone - MY16 D4 SE Tech, Loire Blue, Almond Leather, Privacy, plus some other goodies.
Old - MY12 D4 SDV6 XS Auto - Ipanema Sand with Almond Leather - Plus other niceties, and D4.com sticker
Older - D3 TDV6 XS Auto - Lugano Teal with Almond Leather, 20" Stormers, Shiny Tailpipes, DVD/TV - and obligatory D3 sticker
Ancient - D3 TDV6 S - Tonga with Ebony, 20" Stormers, satnav & DVD
15th Jun 2013 9:44 am
Russell
Member Since: 23 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
Would agree with Al, need to check nose weight with a gauge and compare to the handbook, yes i know it is hard for a man to look at a hand book.MY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
MY15 D4 HSE Kaikoura Stone
MY12 D4 HSE Nara Bronze Sold and gone
MY11 D4 HSE Stornaway Grey Sold and gone
D3 S spec Silver Sold and gone
Tow bar, full length roof bars, side steps, tow bar storage unit, surround camers.
D4 camera club
15th Jun 2013 9:48 am
littlewasp16
Member Since: 19 Sep 2011
Location: wales
Posts: 116
I have a twin axle Abbey Spectrum 620 and I have the same problem, the cars toll ball is lower than the caravan hitch and I have to raise the car suspension to hitch up. this is even with the van empty.I have the removable tow ball.
15th Jun 2013 9:49 am
mark the spark
Member Since: 22 Jun 2011
Location: southampton
Posts: 2531
My elddiss twin axle will put its nose on the ground unloaded if no jockey wheel to correct it . Your set up must b very strange . How will you cope with setting up on a uneven sloping pitch? You cant have to wind the rear stabalisers up to force the nose down thats never right . Sorry if this seems like idiot advice but are you sure your not running out of travel on the jockey wheel and that the outer body is height enough in the clamp and the inner extended to allow you to get max adjustment? Or the wheel not straight and fouling on the top of the wheel as you lower ? Put the front legs down release the jockey wheel and pull the body up more thr othe clamp then wind the wheel down take the weight raise the legs and try again . Appologies if tuis sounds like egg sucking info MY05 SE D3 Manual my first LR what a car
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