Towing a caravan

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CastawayRobinson

Member
Posts
33
Location
Dorset
Help! I have a Freelander TD4 (04) and a Hobby Caravan (single axis).

I have had the 'van for 10 years and pulled it with various cars without problem.

I bought a 04 Freelander and found that the 'van snakes about on times when doing about 60mph. Not enough to be dangerous, but enough for me to be uncomfortable enough to generally drive around at 50 (no caravan jokes please).

I have never changed the friction pads in the tow-hitch but I do not think they are worn too much. The towbar looks like it has had a life (before I bought it), but it does not really look too bad (I know I need to measure it).

I think that someone got grease on the friction pads (which I have now cleaned) which helped a little.

The van is not overloaded and the toe weight seems to be about right (the 'van is no more or less loaded than it always has been).

Any thoughts? Do you think I should just change the ball and the friction pads? Is it possible that the dampers/springs on the rear are worn/need replacement?

Is the Freelander 1 just a rubbish car to use for towing a caravan?

Thanks for the help!
 
10 year old friction pads should have been changed about 8 years ago. I am assuming its an Alko hitch? remember that you will need the correct ball, whatever is on your towbar is perhaps not the type that is required by an Alko for full articulation.
How is the ball height compared to your other cars? Caravans tow better if they are slightly nose-down so if its sitting level or nose up consider a drop plate.
 
My gess would be tow hitch hight not correct and that's altering the noses weight. Get a picture up of it coupled up and we can have a look.
 
My 2001 TD4 tows my Swift Challenger 500 'van with no problems at all - totally stable at all times. I do have the correct Al-Ko compatible tow ball fitted, and also fitted new friction pads to the 'van hitch last year
 
hope u don't mind me asking but do caravans still use a stabiliser bars , or have these systems changed to a more advanced system now plse

thks
 
gstuart said:
is that what the friction pads are for, to grip on the towball and prevent sway


hope u didn't mind me asking

thks
Click to expand...

That's correct,
I have the alko set up on mine 2005 td4 with a swift 530, tows no problem, the alko stabilisers are much better than the older type spring ones, I remember the time when they used to have a chain on them that was lifted with brute force and placed on a bracket on the caravan chassis.

Alko are usually red in colour, and the Winterhoff ones are usually blue,
 
kwondo said:
That's correct,
I have the alko set up on mine 2005 td4 with a swift 530, tows no problem, the alko stabilisers are much better than the older type spring ones, I remember the time when they used to have a chain on them that was lifted with brute force and placed on a bracket on the caravan chassis.

Alko are usually red in colour, and the Winterhoff ones are usually blue,
Click to expand...

thks mate , for the info

only reason I asked was my dad used a big flat bar, was attached to the car and then had to lift the flat bar end into a small holder onto the caravan , also a chain was attached
 
englishbullterrier said:
315 or 375 ?
Click to expand...

oh blimey now ur asking , wouldn't have a clue

was back in the 70 s, will ask pops for u

remember It was column change and had clear hard plastic covers over the seats

just sent an email quickly to my dad and asked him if it was a 315 or 375
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the info. The towhitch is a Winterhoff 3000 which has friction pads and a wear indicator so this should determine when they are changed, but I am not convinced (from new) that it has ever indicated anything at all. I will check the plate on the 'van at the weekend but it should but the literature says that it should be either 1350kg or 1500kg (depending on what "Technically permissible gross weight" and "Technically possible increase in load to" means

I will check the height at the weekend. From memory it is slightly nose down, but I am not sure. The towbar is a Bradley E40TC (removable ball/pin). I have not had a chance to measure it. I gave it a quick clean with emery cloth just in case last time. I do think on the balance of things that the first thing I will try is new friction pads, and check the nose weight of the 'van (never had a problem before but you never know).

At least it has cheered me up that others here tow without problems. I have always wanted a Landie, and whilst this is only a Freelander (really want a 90 but finances/wife do not allow that), at least it has the oval badge!
 
Last edited:
gstuart said:
oh blimey now ur asking , wouldn't have a clue

was back in the 70 s, will ask pops for u

remember It was column change and had clear hard plastic covers over the seats

just sent an email quickly to my dad and asked him if it was a 315 or 375
Click to expand...

315 had small (1.5") reflectors at the bottom of the rear light clusters and the 375 had a large (4") bulb lit lens !
 
CastawayRobinson said:
Thanks for the info. The towhitch is a Winterhoff 3000 which has friction pads and a wear indicator so this should determine when they are changed, but I am not convinced (from new) that it has ever indicated anything at all. I will check the plate on the 'van at the weekend but it should but the literature says that it should be either 1350kg or 1500kg (depending on what "Technically permissible gross weight" and "Technically possible increase in load to" means

I will check the height at the weekend. From memory it is slightly nose down, but I am not sure. The towbar is a Bradley E40TC (removable ball/pin). I have not had a chance to measure it. I gave it a quick clean with emery cloth just in case last time. I do think on the balance of things that the first thing I will try is new friction pads, and check the nose weight of the 'van (never had a problem before but you never know).

At least it has cheered me up that others here tow without problems. I have always wanted a Landie, and whilst this is only a Freelander (really want a 90 but finances/wife do not allow that), at least it has the oval badge!
Click to expand...

Not sure the ball/pin balls are correct as I remember them as being shiny. The correct ball for a friction hitch is black and definately not shiny as it relies on friction. Do you have a local towbar fitting company your could ask ?
 
and you should have a way of measuring the nose weight I use to have what looked like a shock absorber but had a weight scale down the side it really is a must it is no use telling pc plod when they pull you up that you have always loaded the van that way especially when you have just coursed a major accident.
 
i have a 55 plate td4 and tow a 1680kg twin axle tow a dream also towed a lunar single 1550kg no probs as to yours it all depends on your nose weight of your caravan the tow hitch on the freelander says 150kg but all caravan differ some are 70kg upto 100kg you cannot excede the max hitch weight of you caravan without knowing what year model of hobby i cant help any further have you tried whattowcar link and put your details in you should get a match tell you all you need to know
 
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