BPW hitch, caravan swaying
Hi all. I have recently changed my car from a 2006 Kia Sorento 168bhp to a 2011 Hyundai Santa fe 198bhp.
First weekend away i towed from Liverpool to Grange over Sands and it is not as good stability wise as the Kia and i have not changed anything in the way i stow my equiptment. I have a 2006 Compas Ralye twin axle and fixed bed and i stow all my awning,
poles, bbq, curtains,camp chairs and what ever else i can get in there. I dont stow very mych at all on the hich side of the axle so as to minimize tow ball weight. I got up to 60 MPH just out of liverpool and it just started to sway as if the front wheels
were light on the ground. I had to back off to 50mph and it was ok but when a lorry or bus went by it did get sucked over so i had to keep both hands on the wheel. The Kia was a heavier car i realise that so my question is what can i do to improve matters.
Also the BPW hitch has a marker on it identified by a pin and a plus and minus with increasing dashes between the two. It this an indicator for ajustment and it so how is it done. Also is it adviseable to get an afermarket stabiliser. Cheers.
Comments
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Most tests have shown a nose weight of about 7% is optimum for stability. You have not given any figures but your method of loading will only produce a low nose weight and, as you have found, poor stability. On most outfits you need to load to the maximum
nose weight allowed on your car. Many years ago I thought it a good idea to have a close to zero noseweight; it was the worst drive I have ever had.0 -
I would not aim at minimising the towball weight but maximising it to the highest figure your kit allows, either the car's or van's limit, the latter being typically 100 kgs.
No "stabiliser" will improve the situation, only damp things untill the energy is large enough to take control. They make for a more comfortably drive, nothing more and can lull one into a false sense of well being.
The kit needs sorting: some other targets are:-
the tow cars rear tyres, pressures as high as permitted.
Tyre type, some are more supple than others, which is not good.
Health of the rear suspension system , particularly bushes.
Get what ever heavy weights you can into the tow car, whilst not exceeding axle/vehicle limits.
Don't place heavy masses more aft than is really necessary.
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With the trend to heavier vans the once favoured 7% is not viable, it is often too high for the car or caravan's chassis.
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Agree with the comments above that you should load nose weight up to your car's maximum or to 100 kg which is the Alko limit. Apart from that there isnt much you can do except ensure even weight distribution avoiding back end loading.
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The BPW (Winterhoff) indicator is purely showing you the state of the friction pads, ideally the pin should be in the green area and if in the 'dashed' area it is telling you the pads are ready for renewal. There is no adjustments that can be made.
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From your description, you may well have exceeded your van's payload 'and whatever else I can get in there' and low hitch weights are a curse for towing. I suggest that you check your van's laden weight while loaded as you were against the rating plate balance
for 85Kg or more on the nose, and check your tyre pressures, also against the rating plate. You may be in for some surprises. And don't forget that exceeding limits is illegal.0 -
Having a Range Rover L322 with a 150kg max for tow-ball, and having come across the advice elsewhere to load nose weight to max for caravan chassis =100kg, I did just that with my twin axle van for my last trip away.
What a terrible ride!!
It was like being constantly butted in the rear by a rhino. I simply resorted to occasionally stopping and moving items to the centre/over the axles until I achieved the most comfortable and stable feeling ride. I am a great believer in one’s own senses being able to tell you when things are in balance.
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Many thanks for all advice. I'll work on it more. I'll put all the awning and equipment in the car. I did boost the tyres. I'll alter items inside the van.
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can any tell me if the winterhoff friction pads can be ajusted and if so how.
Cheers
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purely my way of knowing its around 80kg and will get some scales when my back is done in 
