Bailey Orion 530/6 Towing Stability Problems
I have just bought a new Orion 530/6 on the 30 Sept 2012 and I am experiencing serious instability when towing.
After I collected the caravan the drive home was let’s say exciting but more like scary as anything above 55 mph induced an oscillation (snaking) particularly when passed by large vehicles. This I originally put down to my tow car, Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDC
Ghia Estate 2005 this has a kerb weight ratio of 87%.
I have now changed the towing vehicle to a Land Rover Discovery TD5 2002 with a kerb weight ratio of 63%, this has had the effect of pushing the towable speed up to 60mph before the oscillation with a loaded Caravan.
The issue I believe is the amount of weight behind the wheels –
1. Leisure Battery
2. Spare Wheel and carrier
3. Bed Frame and mattress
4. Oven and hob
5. Toilet
6 Blown Air Heater
As there is no front locker which would normally counter the rear weight, I have loaded as many heavy items as I can under the front seats but space is limited.
The nose weight (although I have not measured it) is very light, empty I can pick up the nose with one finger, loaded by one hand with no effort. Surly this can’t be right.
I have loaded the under bed area with light items only, 2 aluminium chairs, small water and waste containers (23lt), toilet fluids and bunk bed ladder.
Has any other owner had and problems.
It is going back to the Dealer next week for checking.
I also phoned Baileys and they suggested I try towing with the two 23lt water containers full to see if that makes a difference but I think that is a bit Heath Robinson.