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Clubber
Member Since: 11 Aug 2008
Location: Teesside
Posts: 372
  
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Hello all,
We got an Elddis Superstorm TA caravan last year. We didn't tow much as we only got it in October but we noticed that when travelling on a bumpy road, the caravan would bounce the back of the car. Nothing side to side but more like it was pushing the back of the car down which resulted in us feeling the bounce in the car.
I've heard so many people say that when towing, you don't feel like the caravan is there. I agree on the most part but this was the only thing that I wasn't sure if was to be expected. This happened when towing empty (when we picked it up) as well as with a bit of kit in (nothing too severe; just enough for one night).
Could this be caused by incorrect nose-weight? Should I look to get the pads changed in the Winterhoff hitch? Maybe this bounce is normal?
Thanks for any advice. Bri
D4 HSE Luxury
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 19th Jan 2014 11:14 am |
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stephenw46
Member Since: 22 Jun 2011
Location: West Midlands
Posts: 1157
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If like me you also get a clonking it's the detachable tow bar, I tow all over Europe 
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| 19th Jan 2014 11:19 am |
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Chippy
Member Since: 05 Jan 2012
Location: Surrey
Posts: 520
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Some bounce is to be expected, just because you can tow in a D3 as if it is running solo doesn't mean you should. Drive according to the road and conditions, if the road is bumpy slow down, run with a slightly heavy nose to stop the tail of the van picking up the back of the D3 and you will find you just bob along with easy Transit Custom LWB
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| 19th Jan 2014 11:25 am |
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al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10300
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also, take the rear tyre pressures up to 42 (I think thats the max load pressure as started on the drivers door label of pressures). I've always found that improves towing ride behaviour.
and do check the 'vna noseweight isnt exxcess. The D3 can run with 150kg, but your 'vans limit is possible a 100kg (some are lower) - worth checking.
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| 19th Jan 2014 11:34 am |
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Clubber
Member Since: 11 Aug 2008
Location: Teesside
Posts: 372
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Thanks guys,
I'm quite new to towing so I am not reckless when driving; I stick to the speed limits but it is the normal undulations you find on our UK roads that I find tends to make this happen. There is no clunking or any other noise really; it is more of a ride comfort issue than anything else. I guess if it is to be expected, then that's fair enough. I wanted to check what other people's experiences were. I'll check the nose weight to see if I can make things better. I've had the rear pressures up to 42 which did improve things.
Thanks for the suggestions guys! Bri
D4 HSE Luxury
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| 19th Jan 2014 11:52 am |
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DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
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I find ours bounces a bit if the nose weight is too low.
currently running at 138kgs !!!, which is a bit higher than what the max caravan limit is  , but I think its been like that for 7 years with no issues. Duncan
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| 19th Jan 2014 12:46 pm |
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sean 471
Member Since: 26 Apr 2011
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 2990
 
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As before likely to be due to low nose weight. But expect a little bounce especially over undulating roads
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| 19th Jan 2014 12:54 pm |
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Clubber
Member Since: 11 Aug 2008
Location: Teesside
Posts: 372
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Thanks DD, that does seem to make sense with what I'm experiencing. I plan to shift some weight forward a bit and see how it goes.
Thanks again! Bri
D4 HSE Luxury
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| 19th Jan 2014 1:39 pm |
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dantheman
Member Since: 12 Mar 2010
Location: Essex
Posts: 1725
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Clubber,
I had exactly the same problem when I picked up our new coachman. We picked it up from Glossop and it was empty and it was not a pleasant journey to our first stop. In fact I stopped to check everything because it didnt feel right. This was our first caravan but I had towed heavier trailers behind and not had the same problem.
I loaded the nose up to about 80kgs and it helped but I still feel it on anything but smooth motorways. I may try and up our noseweight abit more. Ours is a long single axle and even the disco cant beat the laws of physics and I have got used to it.
Hope this helps and you enjoy the caravan!!
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| 19th Jan 2014 2:13 pm |
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D4mation
Member Since: 29 Jul 2011
Location: Ruralshire
Posts: 593
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I tow a 1500kg single axle and it's a bit long at 24 feet.
On my previous tug I used to set the noseweight to 75kg so did the same when I got the Disco. Towed like a seesaw and not very pleasant.
I now set the noseweight to 90kg and it's far better - it's surprising what a difference 15kg can make. MY12 D4 HSE Ipanema Sand
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| 20th Jan 2014 1:12 am |
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Washwipe
Member Since: 19 Apr 2013
Location: Bucks Oxon Herts Border
Posts: 3169
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al cope wrote:also, take the rear tyre pressures up to 42 (I think thats the max load pressure as started on the drivers door label of pressures). I've always found that improves towing ride behaviour.
Al
Good point regarding the tyre pressures, coming from Freelander 2 which you didn't adjust the tyres when towing, makes a big different with a Disco.
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| 20th Jan 2014 6:35 pm |
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Bobs
Member Since: 29 Oct 2013
Location: Manchester
Posts: 2330
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Apologies in advance as I know nothing.... 
Except .... just had my adjustable tow bar and electrics removed (as not needed)
The Indy did it for me when having other work done .... he mentioned he had reprogrammed the ECU to let the car know it wasnt on anymore and wasnt towing  .... 
So assuming by definition the car needs changing everytime it tows ???
Just a thought but no doubt due to my little knowledge this info is 'not applicable' ... but just in case thought I'd post anyway  D4 Front upgrade/cut back wings n things 'taking a long time but getting there'.
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| 20th Jan 2014 7:59 pm |
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caverD3
Member Since: 03 Jul 2006
Location: Oberon, NSW
Posts: 6922
 
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In Oz nose weight allowed is much higher for this reason. And history of much heavier cars being used for towing. “There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely gamesâ€
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| 21st Jan 2014 3:19 am |
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Russell
Member Since: 24 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
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Bobs the ecu is programmed to alter the parking sensors so that they do not sound when selecting reverse and to make changes to the auto height setting when towing so that it does not do it automatically. MY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
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| 21st Jan 2014 4:08 am |
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