New tow bar on my Focus Zetec is too high

firebladeunited
firebladeunited Forum Participant Posts: 3
edited August 2016 in Towcars & Towing #1

Please any advice would be great I am new to owning a caravan and have just got a freedom which is small 850kg in weight and I have a ford focus 1.6 diesel which I have just had a removable westafilla towbar fitted problem is it tips my caravan up when hitched
ie the back of the caravan is lower to the ground (nothing is in the caravan) from the flat ground to the centre of the tow ball is 18inches which I believe it should be 16 inches anyone else had this problem and how did you sort it out please Happy

Comments

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,055 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #2

    The usual fix is to use a tow bar drop plate (google it) but not sure if this will work with a removable tow ball? There may be others along in a while to help further.

  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #3

    The ball centre should be between 350 - 420 mm (14 - 16.5 in)  - vehicle fully laden caravan not attached. Yours looks out of this spec so back to the fitter to have it sorted.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited August 2016 #4

    If you have had the tow car from new has the suspension been uprated, is the tyre size standardd, if not has a prior owner tweaked it in any way. I would check this aspect first. Assuming that the correct towbar has been fitted I cannot imagine how it could
    be fitted so as to make it too high.

  • firebladeunited
    firebladeunited Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited August 2016 #5

    Thanks  takethedogalong but the dealer says not able to being removable  

    comeyras  went back to the garage who don't seem to know what to do they have spoke to westifella who had a "technical" meeting and did not know what to do and like a nutter I have gone round public car parks trying to be discret measuring other cars tow
    balls from the centre to the ground and they all seem to be 2 inches lower than mine, the garage that fitted it says that there are pre drilled holes in the car to attach the plate underneath for tow bar and nobody has ever had this problem before I am
    at a loss what to do and when towing looks like I have loaded the caravan wrong ie put stuff at the back and my only trip out so far a lot of people commenting (not to me but I heard them) being female I guess they think I have no idea you guys are my last
    hope spent 2 weeks on the phone to the experts and no joy just so frustrating. 

  • firebladeunited
    firebladeunited Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited August 2016 #6

    EasyT the car is standard no tweeks the garage did suggest they could put new lower springs on which I guess would make it a harder ride over bumps, don't know yet if this is a good idea I have asked them to look at trying a witter tow bar on instead and
    maybe I will have to go down the none removable route so at least I can get a plate fitted just surprised as I have a standard car that I am having these problems 

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #7

    On your trips around the car-parks try measuring the same make and model as your car. Not just towball height but height of some reference point such as the bumper.

    I would guess that the wrong towbar has been fitted - one for a similar model that sits higher, perhaps an SUV type.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited August 2016 #8

    As far as I am aware a drop plate would not be permited on your model of car. Can you see or confirm a reference number on thr fitted towbar. As Navigateur suggests it does read as if the wrong model towbar has been fitted. 

  • compass362
    compass362 Forum Participant Posts: 619
    500 Comments
    edited August 2016 #9

    Please any advice would be great I am new to owning a caravan and have just got a freedom which is small 850kg in weight and I have a ford focus 1.6 diesel which I have just had a removable westafilla towbar fitted problem is it tips my caravan up when hitched
    ie the back of the caravan is lower to the ground (nothing is in the caravan) from the flat ground to the centre of the tow ball is 18inches which I believe it should be 16 inches anyone else had this problem and how did you sort it out please Happy

    Write your comments here...your towball is definitely over height as other poster suggested 350 mm to 420 with car laden to ball centre  is the norm , Caravan hitch height should be between 385 mm to 455 mm laden level  I wonder if fitter as used incorrect
    data , 455mm being nearly 18 '' , I'm sure someone will advise.

  • RangeRoverMan
    RangeRoverMan Forum Participant Posts: 125
    edited August 2016 #10

    Was the vehicle fully laden when took your 18" measurement?

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #11

    If the tow bar is too high it is not of merchantable quality and in this case illegal so you are entitled to your money back. Not sure though if the fitter fits for other companies as well and if so the best solution could be to remove the current one and
    fit the other make. It might be worth having a word with the clubs Legal  Helpline as presunably the electrics are satisfactory which might complicate matters.

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