Not much clearance between bumper & towball!!!
I am new to caravanning and soon to collect my new Bailey Pursuit 400-2. It has been fitted with a ALKO 3004 stabiliser and also motor movers. I drive a Vauxhall Mokka 2015 plate and have had my Vauxhall dealer fit their recommended towbar which is a Westfalia
detachable swan neck. There seems to be very little clearance between my bumper and my tow ball. From the centre of the ball to the contact point on my bumper there is a measurement of 75mm. I have been in touch with Westfalia who tell me that the recemmended
clearance is 67/68mm required by ALKO, they say that ALKO say that this will not allow contact between hitch and bumper.
Being a novice to this it is causing me some concern. I do not yet have my caravan here to try it but the clearance seems very slight being 7/8mm. How do I get this caravan on the back of my Mokka without catching the bumper and will the stabiliser catch
my bumper when driving.
I could be worrying for nothing, I would be grateful if you experienced caravanners would help me out with your opinions and knowledge. PLEASE HELP!!!
Comments
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The dealer will do a full handover and will guide you back when reversing to stop just under the hitch. Some salesman are not caravanners so make sure you are happy with all the advice and if in doubt ask for someone with more experience to assist.
You have more gap than Alko guide so seems fine.
Just relax and enjoy.
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Thanks you to you both for replying and giving me your knowledge. I have waited a long time to get to this point and now
my first caravan is only a couple of weeks away. I am now getting excited/nervous and could not get this concern straight in my own mind, I was imaging a big shiny caravan heading towards my bumper. You have both eased my mind and I am at this moment able
to see the logic. Thanks again0 -
Don't worry. Use the mover to place hook over ball! On a level hard surface you should be able to move the caravan by hand.
Agree with this post. With a mover engaged you should have cm perfect control so try that first. Pushing on by hand will do the job but easier to overshoot?
All will become much easier, just practise and find what works best for you.
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Clearances are small but the measurements you show are about right, the ALKO website gives the minimum for hitching up. Place something soft against bumper until you are confident to prevent scratching (not the wife`s hand!)
Pff, it'll grow back faster than my bumper ;-)
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The distance from bumper to tow-bar was rather close on my last car. More often than not we used the motor-mover for ease and convenience to ensure that no damage was done to the car or ourselves.
One thing to watch though is once you've stopped you really need to pull forward again slightly to allow the hitch to uncompress. Otherwise you'll find the hitch uncompressing as you release it from the tow-bar and moving at a rate of knots towards your
bumper!
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We had what MW describes happen today. It kissed but didn't damage the rear bumper.
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Many thanks to you all for your help and adive. There has been some very useful tips and things to watch out for. Much appreciated
and I will let you know how I get on0
