 | Home > Camping, Caravanning and Holidays > Defender and towing a caravan what towbar? |
 
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| gilarion Member Since: 05 Dec 2013 Location: Wales Posts: 5084   
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And if you really wish to go the whole hog invest in a Shocklink
http://dixon-bate.co.uk/products/no/shockl...coup-.html You will not believe the difference it makes while towing. More information if required can be found doing a search for Shocklink on this forums search option. For those who like Welsh Mountains and narrow boats have a look at my videos and photos at.. http://www.youtube.com/user/conwy1 |
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19th Jun 2017 4:41pm |
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us off.
| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 16870  
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Interesting that the DB info clearly states that the Shocklink is ...
... which is a lower GVW than that of a Defender. I presume however that there are no issues arising? |
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19th Jun 2017 6:08pm |
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| gilarion Member Since: 05 Dec 2013 Location: Wales Posts: 5084
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None what ever.
The other thing worth mentioning is that some caravan warranties state that you can invalidate the warranty towing with a Defender and certainly with a series. By fitting a Shocklink that makes everything OK. It is to do with the stiffness of the springs that can transfer shock into the caravan sub frame via the tow ball this can result in delamination of the caravan panels especially the floor. A Shocklink absorbs all the shocks. For those who like Welsh Mountains and narrow boats have a look at my videos and photos at.. http://www.youtube.com/user/conwy1 |
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19th Jun 2017 7:08pm |
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| miker Member Since: 13 Sep 2015 Location: Surrey Posts: 1758 
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It's a little upsetting to me that the caravan makers don't make caravans tough enough to be towed by a decent sized vehicle!
How does the shocklink work? Is it sprung, Hydraulic, elastomer? |
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19th Jun 2017 7:30pm |
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| gilarion Member Since: 05 Dec 2013 Location: Wales Posts: 5084
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Shocklink 'floats' in a vertical direction as the trailer reacts to changes in the road surface. The Shocklink uses two springs and a rubber snubber to effectively absorb up to 70% of the load. resulting in a much smoother ride and reducing the potential risk of damage to the trailer.
The Dixon-Bate Shocklink fits between the towing vehicle and trailer - it absorbs drawbar shock and vibration. It works belive me it may be expensive but every penny is worth it. 
I tow both a caravan and at times a horse box (two horses) and I would not be without it, Towing a carvan is so much better, if you are towing a trailer with animals it is a must. For those who like Welsh Mountains and narrow boats have a look at my videos and photos at.. http://www.youtube.com/user/conwy1 |
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19th Jun 2017 8:27pm |
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| Stacey007 Member Since: 25 Sep 2015 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3693
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Great help all.
The new vans we were looking at had another stability type thing, salesman said it was like a traction control. So when a large bus says comes past and you get a bit of a sway.. it takes that away. They have certainly come on a bit
Think my idea is to go the dixon bate set up. Although my Sankey hitch seems to sit higher (level) |
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19th Jun 2017 8:34pm |
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| gilarion Member Since: 05 Dec 2013 Location: Wales Posts: 5084
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Yep! Clever bit of gadgetry it works via an intelligence board on the caravan that detects a sway and applies the brakes on one side or the other in a series of controlled pulses that bring the caravan back into a straight line. For those who like Welsh Mountains and narrow boats have a look at my videos and photos at..
http://www.youtube.com/user/conwy1 |
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20th Jun 2017 11:52am |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 16870
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^^ Now that is clever!
The only trouble is it will probably encourage some people to take less care loading and to drive faster, because they now can without additional peril. As a result, when it does all go wrong it will be worse than before. |
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20th Jun 2017 12:51pm |
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| Iggle piggle Member Since: 10 Sep 2014 Location: Wales Posts: 378 
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My caravan has Electronic ATC & towcar (Ford Ranger) has trailer sway control,
it is very reassuring to feel the caravan brakes applying & steering tightening when white van man or national express come flying by! 
But yes like everything else it can make you feel a little over confident & then the speed creeps up!  |
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20th Jun 2017 1:23pm |
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| Dasher Member Since: 12 Nov 2012 Location: Nottingham Posts: 30 
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My van, a Bailey Pegasus GT65 Bolognia, also has ATC and the Alko hitch with stabiliser built in. I use a standard tow ball on the 110 (not a Dixon Bate or drop plate type). I do have to remove the handle on the Alko hitch - and even then the 'prongs' that remain are very close to the spare wheel - but they do pass without fouling it. I have a 20mm spacer between the ball and the bar assembly,
I've never had a problem with disintegrating pads - but I do check them regularly. I did however leave one of the older Bulldog type stabilisers on the A50 somewhere between Trentham Gardens and Nottingham and so have avoided that type ever since! One thing that I do get an issue with, especially in warmer weather (like in France at the moment) is that I get some form of pressure wave and the rear mudflaps have developed a habit of flipping inwards and running on top of the wheel. It has usually been the offside but this week both sides have suffered. The fix is to limit the travel of the 'flap with plastic link ties - inelegant but effective. |
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11th Jul 2017 9:15pm |
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| Paulv8 Member Since: 09 Jun 2013 Location: Milton Keynes Posts: 616 
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If you have an Alko hitch and have trouble getting hitched up because it fouls the spare wheel, just hitch up with the rear door open.... it works for me. V8 90...WIP
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11th Jul 2017 9:57pm |
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| Stacey007 Member Since: 25 Sep 2015 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3693
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^ I tried that....
The hand brake even in the lowest (off) position would not allow the door to shut.... |
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11th Jul 2017 10:15pm |
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| Paulv8 Member Since: 09 Jun 2013 Location: Milton Keynes Posts: 616
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Ooh damn....
I just bought the Alko 4x4 handle on ebay for ten quid... i am hoping it saves me having any issue from here on V8 90...WIP |
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11th Jul 2017 10:21pm |
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| Paulv8 Member Since: 09 Jun 2013 Location: Milton Keynes Posts: 616
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With the ball on the lowest position it would though wouldn't it? It's where mine is fitted V8 90...WIP |
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11th Jul 2017 10:23pm |
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