Checks before towing long distances?

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mikey7985

New Member
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Location
North Wales
Just about to go and collect a twin axle caravan approx 200 miles away. Just had a new towbar fitted with electrics the other day so I know that's all good. My question is are there any checks I can do to ensure I don't have any problems when towing it back? Any common problems causing breakdowns whilst towing a load?

Thanks ;)
 
mikey7985 said:
Just about to go and collect a twin axle caravan approx 200 miles away. Just had a new towbar fitted with electrics the other day so I know that's all good. My question is are there any checks I can do to ensure I don't have any problems when towing it back? Any common problems causing breakdowns whilst towing a load?

Thanks ;)
Click to expand...

Make sure the nose weight is right. The FL is up to 140kg.

Check the tyres on the 'van. They perish rather than wear out. You shouldn't really be towing more than 85% of the cars weight as a safe guide. I know they can can tow up to 2000kg. But I think the regs are that you can't tow more than the weight of the car in the UK, but I'm not that clued up on the regulations.

If you are of a certain age you aren't allowed to tow unless you have taken a separate tow test....(check your licence!)
Take it easy. Have you towed before?
 
It's a bit windy out there today. It's going to rain later too so take yer arm bands. ;)
 
Hi yeah I passed my test in 98 and wouldn't have towing on my licence if it wasn't for me doing my HGV licence in the Army. I have C+E which if I am right means I can tow pretty much anything even if it's over the kerb weight of the car (although I wouldn't) and provided the car is rated to tow the weight.

I will have a good look over the van it is a 2009 Bailey Ranger at 1540kg MTPLM however if I keep it unladen it will be more like 1250kg which puts me at about 80%ish I think.

More concerned about the FL letting me down than the van causing problems. Any common breakdown info whilst towing would be handy. I want to aim to prevent rather than cure ideally so would appreciate any checks you guys can think of.

That fuel leak I had the other day has made me worry a bit. :(
 
Too much weight on the rear can knock out the ratio of rear to front wheel size and cause vcu issues. But if you still have the beaumont special fitted this won't be a concern.

Make sure you have the correct electrical socket before you go. Also check the lights work on both hippo and caravan with the engine running when they is both connected.

Take a camera as it's windy out there. If it goes wrong we'll be wanting the pic's. :rulez:
 
Hippo said:
Too much weight on the rear can knock out the ratio of rear to front wheel size and cause vcu issues. But if you still have the beaumont special fitted this won't be a concern.

Make sure you have the correct electrical socket before you go. Also check the lights work on both hippo and caravan with the engine running when they is both connected.

Take a camera as it's windy out there. If it goes wrong we'll be wanting the pic's. :rulez:
Click to expand...

Ha ha not going till Wednesday so hopefully the wind will drop!!

What do I do when I have my new VCU fitted then? How do I stop
Problems then?
 
Double check the rear tyre pressures - the nose weight of the caravan pushing down on the rear of the car is equivalent to having 100+kgs in the boot. If the rears are soft, they will deform and the reduced rolling radius compared to the fronts will overheat the VCU.
 
Take regular breaks,

So the Freelander can cool its drive-train down a bit,
And you get several chances to look things over..

Tyres
Coolant
Oil

Take your fecking time, its ****e weather out there,
a slow safe drive is better than a broken anything..

know one expects a caravan to be towed fast,
and add in a Freelander, and they should all be passing you..
 
Thanks fellas ;)

Any hoses or pipes likely to give me any problems? Just been looking at silicone replacement kits on eBay ........
Item no. 290740130950
 
Your post brought a recent escapade of mine to mind. I did 600 mile round trip last year to pick up a new boat, ( this was around 1.2T including trailer ). I had towed such weights before and have since without problems. As mentioned already ensure tire pressures correct and nose weight on caravan should be good, bonus that its twin axle. Anyway the main problem I had was that just as I was arriving in wales, still without trailer, my engine management light started to flicker when accelerating......oh bullocks!! That then progressed to smoking like hell as I didnt have much choice but to pick up the trailer. I had a feeling which turned out to be right, that the crank case PCV filter was choked, it had only been changed 4000 milesish previous but the long run obviously done it in. I had no spare and had to nurse home at slow speed and I was down to 30 on any kind of incline. Its a simple job and if you dont have time to do it before you go, try to pick up a filter before you go and bung it I your toolbox. I carry one in back now as theyre so cheap, I still have no idea if I did my turbo any damage that day but think I got away with it.
 
IndiTd4 said:
Take regular breaks,

So the Freelander can cool its drive-train down a bit,
And you get several chances to look things over..

Tyres
Coolant
Oil

Take your fecking time, its ****e weather out there,
a slow safe drive is better than a broken anything..

know one expects a caravan to be towed fast,
and add in a Freelander, and they should all be passing you..
Click to expand...

Sounds like a lot of hassle if you ask me, can't you just borrow a disco/110 off someone, that'd make it a lot easier;):p.
 
Last edited:
Increase tyre pressures all round - I'm running 205/70-15 Grabber AT's, normally at 30psi, but up to 33 when towing the caravan ( Swift Challenger 500SE). Have towed down to Devon from the Staffs Moorlands with no problems (non-stop) and same coming back home
 
musky81 said:
Your post brought a recent escapade of mine to mind. I did 600 mile round trip last year to pick up a new boat, ( this was around 1.2T including trailer ). I had towed such weights before and have since without problems. As mentioned already ensure tire pressures correct and nose weight on caravan should be good, bonus that its twin axle. Anyway the main problem I had was that just as I was arriving in wales, still without trailer, my engine management light started to flicker when accelerating......oh bullocks!! That then progressed to smoking like hell as I didnt have much choice but to pick up the trailer. I had a feeling which turned out to be right, that the crank case PCV filter was choked, it had only been changed 4000 milesish previous but the long run obviously done it in. I had no spare and had to nurse home at slow speed and I was down to 30 on any kind of incline. Its a simple job and if you dont have time to do it before you go, try to pick up a filter before you go and bung it I your toolbox. I carry one in back now as theyre so cheap, I still have no idea if I did my turbo any damage that day but think I got away with it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice and I am relieved to say I have just had it replaced with the BMW Cyclone filter. Did your FL tow ok apart from that?
 
Jonty1 said:
Increase tyre pressures all round - I'm running 205/70-15 Grabber AT's, normally at 30psi, but up to 33 when towing the caravan ( Swift Challenger 500SE). Have towed down to Devon from the Staffs Moorlands with no problems (non-stop) and same coming back home
Click to expand...

I will definitely do this fronts and back both up to 33 you think?
 
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