judorob2802
Member Since: 16 Feb 2013
Location: Sandbach, Cheshire
Posts: 192
  
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Hi
I have a Geist Caravan - 5 berth - Single axle - cant seem to get it towing perfect...it buffers me along at slower speeds...
Is my tow ball too high?.. Nose weight not enough?.
Not experienced tower with D3 - My Touareg - no probs...something is different...
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 16th Aug 2013 11:07 am |
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B16 KJR
Member Since: 10 Jul 2006
Location: Rosyth, Fife
Posts: 3005
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Not sure what you mean by buffers me along at slower speeds 
The towbar height should be set so that the caravan sits slightly nose down when hitched up. The noseweight should be advised by the caravan manufacturer, but should not exceed 150kg which is the limit for the car. 
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| 16th Aug 2013 12:14 pm |
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THUB
Member Since: 10 Dec 2005
Location: West Berkshire.
Posts: 717
 
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I had a situation similar to this. I had everything on the caravan checked wheels, shock absorbers, hitch and brakes ; still no difference. Eventually found that nearly all the tow bar mounting bolts on the Disco were slack. When pulled back to the correct torque, the problem had gone. Might be worth a look.
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| 16th Aug 2013 12:32 pm |
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judorob2802
Member Since: 16 Feb 2013
Location: Sandbach, Cheshire
Posts: 192
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it bumps me along...hard to describe...need to check towbar height... maybe change to an adjustable heigt type
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| 16th Aug 2013 12:32 pm |
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judorob2802
Member Since: 16 Feb 2013
Location: Sandbach, Cheshire
Posts: 192
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THUB
Brilliant thought - Will dive under and have a look.. thanks
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| 16th Aug 2013 12:33 pm |
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maplecottage
Member Since: 01 Feb 2011
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 3171
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My Bailey Senator exhibited similar behaviour - dropped the tow ball down to the bottom bolts and it tows much better. Just be aware that you need to ensure you raise the D3 when doing any manouvering esp getting on and off ferries 
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| 16th Aug 2013 12:52 pm |
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nigel207
Member Since: 26 Mar 2009
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 1359
 
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Just a note regarding noseweights. The Discovery does indeed have a 150kg limit, BUT the Geist is on an Al-Ko chassis which will have a 100kg limit. So I would aim for between 90 and 100kgs if possible?
Do you have a removable towball now? Was the Touareg's fixed? If yours is the removable type, they can rattle about a bit. It's well documented, and seems to be worse if you've got a hitch type stabiliser. Land Rover/Thule are well aware of the fact, but as ususal don't seem to be doing anything about it!
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| 16th Aug 2013 1:59 pm |
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Madrunner
Member Since: 23 Oct 2011
Location: Dorset
Posts: 391
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I'd also check your rear tyre pressures - our bailey towed dreadfully until I ran the rears on max load pressure. Transformed the towing.
Anything heavy at the back of the van ?
Run as close to either max towbar or caravan hitch noseweight.
Definitely try and run at the very least with the van level or ideally a smidge nose down. 2013 Evoque
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| 16th Aug 2013 3:27 pm |
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THUB
Member Since: 10 Dec 2005
Location: West Berkshire.
Posts: 717
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Might be worth checking that your tow ball is not worn. Should be 50mm but have seen them go oval. Also check the ALKO coupling. Have the friction pads broken? If they have it will leave some "play" in the coupling of car to van. Easy and cheap to replace.
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| 17th Aug 2013 8:16 am |
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Barn1e
D3 Decade
Member Since: 28 Aug 2006
Location: Mid-sussex
Posts: 2021
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Our Bailey is the third caravan we have had. All towed really well bar this one. I have now moved the tpw ball down to the lower setting at the lower end of the recommended height range and it tows much smoother and no longer unstable when "white van man" tears past in outside lane! 2005, TDV6 S, Auto, 190k miles, owned from new, V8 Brake Upgrade, Nancom Evo, RLD protector, BAS EGR blanking & Remap, separate ATF cooler, changing all the fluids ahead of time.
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| 18th Aug 2013 2:34 pm |
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Ajpf5
Member Since: 13 Jul 2013
Location: Manchester
Posts: 84
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Based on my Bailey the nose weight plays a big part on the stability of the rig, I have a 12 month old unit so all newish little mileage but if the van weight is not around 90kg then it's a pig to tow, previous comment on tyres is also a good tip.
Final thought no weight in the back of the van it acts as a pendulum effect, any weight should be over the wheels
Hope it helps
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| 18th Aug 2013 7:41 pm |
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judorob2802
Member Since: 16 Feb 2013
Location: Sandbach, Cheshire
Posts: 192
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Thanks All - Tyre pressures were down on car and caravan, bolts were tight, tried different loading method of all over the axle... worked a treat..
Something I did worked..
Thanks again
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| 3rd Sep 2013 7:40 am |
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blue200tdi
Member Since: 23 Sep 2012
Location: Lincoln
Posts: 1094
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Towing with the D3 was fantastic, sold that and towed the tin tent with my Antara and it was an awful experience. Being a twin axle there is no nose weight specified by the manufacturer so I just took it up to the maximum the car could take. At 80KGs it transformed the ride no end.
And yes the Alko chassis is a maximum of 100KG's nose weight.  You guys are gonna be busier than a test bench in a plunger factory!
Java black 2006 2.7 TDV6 HSE AUTO.
2014 Kawasaki ZZR1400 Performance sport.
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| 9th Sep 2013 7:38 pm |
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LandyAndy68
Member Since: 20 Feb 2012
Location: Yorkshire, England.
Posts: 118
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Hi, when I took my 2013 Swift in to the dealer for some warranty work, the mechanic was horrified I only had a regular tow ball. He could tell by the shape that it wasn't a ALCO tow ball. Apparently the caravan will tow much better with the ALCO fitted and the stabilizer will work more efficiently.
I, however, don't seem to have any issues, so I'm gonna bite the bullet and leave things alone. If in doubt, It's time for a Cuppa.
Land Rover Level 2 Off Road Course Completed (Peckforton Castle LRE).
2014 Volvo XC70, AWD, 2.4, 5 Cyl, Caspian Blue. Tints, winter pack, ski rack, 58mpg, £120 road tax.
2009 Discovery 3 2.7 TdV6 SE. Zermatt Silver. Gone but not forgotten
2007 Discovery 3 2.7 TdV6 SE. Zermatt Silver. Gone but not forgotten
2006 DEFENDER Td5. Green. Gone but not forgotten
Tin tenter.
2013 John Cooper Works GP Mini for SWMBO.
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| 25th Sep 2013 8:07 am |
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DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
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ive never had any problems with the LR tow ball, fixed or swan neck.
I have however noticed that the twin axle 1800KG caravan tows a lot better and is less noticeable than the 1100Kg single axle. I am guessing its down to the weight distribution and single axle!!
try and get maximum nose weight ie 100kgs - the D3 will take 150kgs+ but the ALKO hitch may only be limited to 100Kgs Duncan
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| 25th Sep 2013 8:20 am |
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