Skoda towing woes

Fraczish
Fraczish Forum Participant Posts: 4
edited December 2019 in Towcars & Towing #1

Good evening all!

We have recently come back to touring after the birth of our son. We bought an Abbey Cardinal 6 berth caravan MTPLM of 1490kg back on the summer for a decent price. 

We have been away 3 times so far in her and it's safe to say we are loving having a van again and the freedom it brings!

Trouble is I'm really struggling to get her towing right. The first time we went away it was so bouncy that the wife started to feel  travel sick! I have tried all ways of loading, heavy van, light van, heavy nose weight, light nose weight and she never really seems very settled.

I've had spring assistors fitted as I noticed the car sat very low when fully loaded with the van on, whilst I'm sure these are helping, our last trip wasn't really an improvement. I've got a digital noseweigt gauge that you put on the towbar and have tried all sorts of combinations. 

I know this car has won some awards for towing but at the moment I'm really at the end of my ideas... Any advise from seasoned vanners would be greatly welcome.

Many thanks

Adam

Comments

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2019 #2

    It will need a bit more info ,it would help if the model and year of Skoda is posted

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2019 #3

    Are shockers fitted to the caravan? (just a thought .... )

     

    As JVB says ... model, weight age & mileage of your car would help wink. You have had spring assisters  fitted, could your rear springs be past their best? Car's rear tyre pressures?

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
    1,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited December 2019 #4

    Is your cars towball height between the recommended distance from the ground to centre of ball (350mm - 420mm when loaded) and the caravans hitch height of (385mm - 455mm) to centre in a loaded and level condition.

  • Fraczish
    Fraczish Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited January 2020 #5

    Ok apologies, should of thought of that! 

    The car is a 2016 SEL Exec 2.0 DSG diesel. On the weigh bridge empty it was 1525KG.

  • Fraczish
    Fraczish Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited January 2020 #6

    It's a possibility that they are, however being fairly new and only covered 22k miles I'd be disappointed tbh. The rear pressures are always set to laden pressures of 43PSI as per the manual

  • Fraczish
    Fraczish Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited January 2020 #7

    This is something I will definitely need to look into, I will report back on this one. Thanks

  • harryb
    harryb Forum Participant Posts: 1,536
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2019 #8

    You don't give car details but the MTPLM of 1490kgs seems high for a Skoda unless a large 4 wheel drive. Looking at the 85% rule you would need a vehicle of some 1750kgs

    The car has won towing awards but the towing weights would be balanced to provide a safe and legal combination.

    I would put all details into CMAC matching service

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited December 2019 #9

    Towball height should not affect ride characteristics when towing. MollysMummy has made some sensible comments worth looking into.

  • flatcoat
    flatcoat Forum Participant Posts: 1,571
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2019 #10

    Another thread where the OP seems to have have disappeared....... 

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