Coachman 575 VIP Nose Down

The RTO
The RTO Forum Participant Posts: 19
edited April 2019 in Towcars & Towing #1

I have a 2017 Coachman 575 VIP towed by a Freelander 2 TD4. no problem towing.

I had a Witter detachable flange tow bar fitted and towed a Swift 554 which towed perfectly level.

With the VIP it is nose down  150cm higher at the back than the front even when empty.

Has any one out there had any experience of this and managed to resolve the towing to make the van tow  level

I have added a picture of the detachable part of the tow bar  I have.

I am considering buying a new part ZQFE2000 as it looks as though it will be higher on the car.

Any comments welcome Richard

Comments

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,044 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2019 #2

    First of all, how much weight is in the back of your Freelander, this might be affecting caravan level?

  • Milothedog
    Milothedog Forum Participant Posts: 1,433
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2019 #3

    My Freelander 2 never moves any lower when loaded. Niether my sons one. they also have a 150kg nose weight. 

    Both cars have genuine LR towbars. Mine is a fixed swan neck and my sons a detachable one.

    Maybe there is a difference in caravan length ?

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited April 2019 #4

    First of all, why are you so intent on having the caravan level?

    If you are thinking about replacing the towball with part no. ZQFE2000, do you know whether the resultant combination is type approved? Type approval is a requirement.

    I am sure you are aware that the centre of the towball should be between 350 and 420mm above the ground when the car is fully laden, including the caravan being hitched. These are the limits that the regulations specify. Only if the towball is outside those limits, is there cause for action.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2019 #5

    I can see no problem whatsoever 

  • Milothedog
    Milothedog Forum Participant Posts: 1,433
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    edited April 2019 #6

    Here's a picture of mine, which to be honest looks like it may be lower than what you have fitted. I tow a 7.3mtr Elddis which sits level-ish. Only other thing  I can think of is the different size wheels and tyres different models have, mine are 18" wheels.

     

  • Phishing
    Phishing Forum Participant Posts: 597
    500 Comments
    edited April 2019 #7

    Nose down a bit (assuming you are between 350mm and 420mm) is not an issue.

    I assume you mean the back is 150mm higher, 150CM would be impressive!

    Even at 150mm it is only 6" drop in 7m, nothing to worry about.

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2019 #8

    As 'Lutz' mentioned the towcar centre of the towball should be between 350mm and 420mm fully laden.

    The caravan hitch socket should also measure between 385mm and 455mm level and fully laden.

    Maybe your 'Swift' van hitch socket was towards the lower limit 385mm and the 'Coachman' is near the upper limit of 455mm, causing a slight nose down when hitched.

    Whatever, there is nothing wrong in a slight nosedown situation.

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