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Revhead Kev
Date Registered: 10-2006
Location: Mona Vale, Sydney, AUSTRALIA
TOTAL POSTS: 6355
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Re: Towing a jayco camper trailer
I second the idea of Light Truck tyres Geoff.
After my father fitted them to his father's caravan, the handling improved tremendously where before it used to wallow all over the road at any spe with the standard radial ply tyres.
--- Kev X450(c) T30 Guru
03 Titanium Ti T30 Series 1 **MODIFIED**
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2/Jan/2008, 3:19 pm
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GeoffM
X-TRAIL ENTHUSIAST
Date Registered: 07-2004
Location: Sydney
TOTAL POSTS: 258
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Re: Towing a jayco camper trailer
quote: Stevo45 wrote:
Geoff... Maaaaate....
Untill about a months ago I also was towing a Sunwagon - No Problem, But I could easily lift the front of the loaded Sunwagon camper on my own (I am over 60) so the tow ball weight is not too heavy.
The towball weight of my new Jaco Dove outback (heaviest in the range) is rated at about 150kg - No way can I lift that on my own.... Big difference... :-)
I put my sunwagon tow ball on the bathroom scales and they came in at 140+. (scales only went to 140!). I'd say 145. She's a beast!
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I also carry a waco fridge on a slide and other "bits and bobs" in the xcy - most of the weight is forward of the back wheels but, can't fit the fridge and slide comfortably there.
Add to that my xcy is a 2004 and sags on the springs a bit any way - means that In my situation I need to "do something"...
I'm a little confused by how much sag is too much, and why sag is such a problem. Fair enough if you'll be towing all the time, but for occational towing, the xtrail's rear is rated for 150kg loads plus luggage, so it is structurally tough enough.
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Just received today some level rides - I'll fit 'em in the next couple of days and see if they are the answer for me..
I do agree with you regarding the tyres - I had a blow out (on the Sunwagon) a month or so ago up near forster and found to my dismay that the previous owner had fitted recaps ..
I think that your camper tyres should be the best available and they are probably more important than the tyres on your car...
Yeah, my old ones were retreads too. When they blew, it blew a hole in the wheel arch!.
Tyres on a caravan are tricky. I agree that you need decent ones, but trailer tyres generally never wear out. Caravans just dont do that many miles. They only deterierate due to age, not tread wear. The light truck tyres I got were $116 each. They'll easily outlive the van which is coming up to its 30 year birthday.
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3/Jan/2008, 8:26 am
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GeoffM
X-TRAIL ENTHUSIAST
Date Registered: 07-2004
Location: Sydney
TOTAL POSTS: 258
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Re: Towing a jayco camper trailer
quote: Stevo45 wrote:
Geoff..... You'r kidding me.... (Or I'm missing something important!!)
My Tow bar is a Hayman Reece and I have HR Electric brakes...
I believe maybe you are mistaken regarding the permissible tow ball weight. (please correct me if I am wrong)..
I'm almost 100% sure on that one. For a start, its recomended that 10% of caravan weight be on the towball. If your towbar can only handle 75kg, that means you can only tow 750kg which is a very small caravan. The xtrail can tow up to 2000kg, which makes 150kg more realistic.
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Re using Auto mode: IF I am right you also have excessive weight on the TOW BALL and if you have to use Auto mode to improve your traction then the front end is not working as designed and steering will definitely be a worry in the wet going uphill - loss of control Will be a problem that defensive driving may not fix, in an emergency situation.
There are a couple of reasons to use auto. For a start the drive train is pulling more weight (twice as much), therefore the more wheels in action the better. The only time I get the front wheels spinning is when trying to do a fast start in gravel from stationary (in 2wd drive mode). Not to mention that rear wheel drive cars have been the prefered towing setup for many years.... thats where the weight is.
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I think "level rides" are worth a try - A very cheap ($50 to $100 )option if you can get 'em used online..
I think that stiffening the rear springs (and Shocks) WILL significantly improve OVERALL handling and also move some weight forward. (For about $200.00 DIY - Worth a try ??)
I'm no expert on this, but how can stiffening shocks at the rear move weight forward ? The same leverages are in action, but now the back is less spongy. I thought the reason for stifening the rear was to stop the caravan pushing it around so much.
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Further, since all our xcy's are different for various reasons and uses - The only way to see what works is to try out your own ideas.
Steve..
Totally agree. And of course I'm only speaking of my experiences. If I had to spend another dollar on my towing setup it would be on a tranny cooler, rather than shocks or levelers....but thats because my xtrail looks 'fairly' level anyway, I feel like I have enough traction, and my caravan is low profile that it doesnt sway much.
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4/Jan/2008, 9:28 am
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