Forum-Gallery-Shop-Sponsors

« Advertise on Freel2.com

Home > Technical > Towing A Twin Axle Caravan
Post Reply  Down to end
Page 2 of 2 <12
Print this entire topic · 
Cerdo



Member Since: 13 Jul 2008
Location: Manchester
Posts: 193

United Arab Emirates 

Not according to the highway code, which is the link I included.
I also didn't know that the speed limit is 60mph for vans unless they are car derived ones. Out the way white van man! Indus Silver
GS TD4
Private Parts

Post #48130 2nd Oct 2009 11:30 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Alona



Member Since: 03 Nov 2008
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 201

2008 Freelander 2 TD4 SE Manual Santorini Black

Hi All and thanks

As of yet we havint got the van, as none are in the Aberdeenshire.

Just as well we have a large roofbox as well as the boot, for al the gear you require.

But this is the van we have our hearts on. The onlything that i wish to add is the AL-KO ATC Trailer Control system. This if i have worked it out will improve the handling even more.

What do you all think?

Alona 08 FL2 SE TD4 manual,Santorini Black, Factory fitted Black Tinted Glass, Anti-Tesco Trolly Side Protection, bebe confort axiss carseats & Cargo barrier to stop twin's buggy & junk coming through. NO Sweets Crisps or Drinks inside.
WITH TWINS, YOU DON'T HAVE MONEY Smile Now towing a Abbey Vouge 650 1800kg

Tug weight 1958kg + Roofrails & Towbar

Post #48131 2nd Oct 2009 11:38 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
twodogs



Member Since: 02 Sep 2009
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 163

2009 Freelander 2 TD4 GS Manual Zermatt Silver

Cerdo, well I stand corrected & I'd better
SLOW down a bit Embarassed

Post #48136 2nd Oct 2009 12:43 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Firestar



Member Since: 11 Oct 2008
Location: Ness Point, Suffolk
Posts: 121

United Kingdom 2008 Freelander 2 TD4 GS Auto Santorini Black

Alona wrote:
The onlything that i wish to add is the AL-KO ATC Trailer Control system. This if i have worked it out will improve the handling even more.

Alona

Alona,
Personally, I'd save the cash and spend it on something else. The ATC will NOT improve handling.... it is designed to (electrically) apply the caravan's brakes if the ATC box detects a 'sway' of the caravan start and thereby help to prevent a 'snake'. Twin axles are supposed to be much less inclined to snake (due to having 4 wheels in contact with the road).
Don't forget the FL2 already goes into a special 'trailer mode' on its stability assist program, when you connect a trailer to the electrics, which IS designed to help handling.
However, I'd suggest you read more about the ATC system on caravan forums rather than here ... lots there think they're the bees knees.

twodogs: Towing sppeds are 60 mph on dual carriageways and motorways, and 50 mph on single carriageways - unless signed lower speed limits are in force, of course. Its a pain as my auto FL2 is happier at 62mph Whistle

Post #48143 2nd Oct 2009 2:44 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
pjb



Member Since: 02 Sep 2009
Location: Sunny Oxon
Posts: 40

Thanks everyone.

Alona our van has the trailer control not sure its made a difference, but anything that makes it safer towing has got to be a good thing.

My 110 TD5 is my toy, so noise uncomfortable and poor fuel consumption is all part of the charachter !!!

Looking forward to collecting my van from service tomorrow so will collect with freelander

Regards D4 Commercial
Mini GP2

Post #48144 2nd Oct 2009 2:45 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Send e-mail Reply with quote
Alona



Member Since: 03 Nov 2008
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 201

2008 Freelander 2 TD4 SE Manual Santorini Black

Hi All

I did have a look into the ATC system and as you said pjb they didint see anything. But when for some reason they had AL KO plug in their computer. It turns out that the ATC system has a memory that let them see how many times it came on without the driver knowing. They got the print out from the ATC controler.

Firestar

I didint know the FL2 had a (special 'trailer mode' on its stability assist program)

Alona 08 FL2 SE TD4 manual,Santorini Black, Factory fitted Black Tinted Glass, Anti-Tesco Trolly Side Protection, bebe confort axiss carseats & Cargo barrier to stop twin's buggy & junk coming through. NO Sweets Crisps or Drinks inside.
WITH TWINS, YOU DON'T HAVE MONEY Smile Now towing a Abbey Vouge 650 1800kg

Tug weight 1958kg + Roofrails & Towbar

Post #48147 2nd Oct 2009 4:01 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Cerdo



Member Since: 13 Jul 2008
Location: Manchester
Posts: 193

United Arab Emirates 

Alona, it was really an admonishment; I was just curious amd somewhat surprised. Indus Silver
GS TD4
Private Parts

Post #48149 2nd Oct 2009 5:27 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Toolking



Member Since: 03 Nov 2008
Location: Buckinghamshire
Posts: 60

England 2007 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Manual Baltic Blue

We tow a fleetwood heritage 600 CB twin axle with our TD4. MTPLW 1750Kg. No problems whatsoever with stability including over shap on a very windy day. Plenty of pulling power as I found a couple of weeks ago while stuck behind an obviously underpowered campervan up the hill to The Ullswater campsite, some of which is around 1 in 5, with the van on the back. I thought it might struggle when I almost had to stop while the campervan tried to change gear but it drove off again without a problem. Really quite impressive.
 He who dies with the most tools wins!

Post #48164 2nd Oct 2009 9:09 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Alona



Member Since: 03 Nov 2008
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 201

2008 Freelander 2 TD4 SE Manual Santorini Black

Hi Toolking

How close to the tow limits are you vor your FL2?
And is that a mover on as well?

Alona 08 FL2 SE TD4 manual,Santorini Black, Factory fitted Black Tinted Glass, Anti-Tesco Trolly Side Protection, bebe confort axiss carseats & Cargo barrier to stop twin's buggy & junk coming through. NO Sweets Crisps or Drinks inside.
WITH TWINS, YOU DON'T HAVE MONEY Smile Now towing a Abbey Vouge 650 1800kg

Tug weight 1958kg + Roofrails & Towbar

Post #48169 3rd Oct 2009 7:09 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
ad210358



Member Since: 12 Oct 2008
Location: Here and There
Posts: 7464

England 

Firestar

I didint know the FL2 had a (special 'trailer mode' on its stability assist program) either.

Is it sometthing added to the 2009MY? p****d off with a Digital Keyboard Warrior


Last edited by ad210358 on 4th Oct 2009 9:05 am. Edited 1 time in total

Post #48179 3rd Oct 2009 4:13 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Toolking



Member Since: 03 Nov 2008
Location: Buckinghamshire
Posts: 60

England 2007 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Manual Baltic Blue

Alona

As quoted earlier, the kerbweight for the fL2 is "fron 1775KG", which makes the MTPLW of our van a 100% match, somewhat above the advised 85% match. However, the 85% match is only recommended and up to 100% is thought to be ok if you are an experienced tower. I try not to overload the van so we should be below the MTPLW ( The loading allowance on the van is around 250Kg). The combination is very stable, much more so than the single axle we used to tow behind a variety of other cars, I actually bought my first FL to improve this.
The stated 2000Kg towing limit for the FL" is all about its ability to restart on a steep hill. My experience is that it has no trouble at all with hill restarts

We do have a Powertouch mover fitted, the only way we can do the final bit of parking it back in the barn where it lives. It does ok though you do need a fully charged battery and it struggles a bit to turn the twin axle. I found that a good solution is to use a Purple line Hitchdrive jockey wheel along with the mover, not because you can manually drive the jockey wheel but because it gives you a 'tiller' you can steer it with He who dies with the most tools wins!

Post #48197 4th Oct 2009 8:05 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
chicken george



Member Since: 05 Dec 2007
Location: N. Yorks
Posts: 13289

United Kingdom 2008 Freelander 2 TD4 XS Manual Santorini Black

wind the jack fully out and then your tandem axle becomes a single , the motor will wind it much easier then Thumbs Up assuming the drive is on the rear axle?



the van body might drag on the floor a bit at that angle but I dont care, just ram the thing in the shed, better there than on the road Whistle


I have a tandem flat bed trailer and it moves so much easier with the front axle off the ground. At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

Post #48202 4th Oct 2009 9:23 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Toolking



Member Since: 03 Nov 2008
Location: Buckinghamshire
Posts: 60

England 2007 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Manual Baltic Blue

As our mover drives the front wheels,( It would not fit behind the rear ones as the kitchen drain pipes were in the way) we lower the nose as much as possible - this certainly helps but not enough to lift the rear wheels off the ground.

Thanks for the suggestion though Thumbs Up

I was using the mover to get round all of the parked farm machinery the other week with the farmer watching - he decided he ought to get one for his cattle trailer. The cattle occasionally add to the fun if they are wandering round the yard. Really gets the wife going when they ignore her saying shoo to them. Laughing Laughing He who dies with the most tools wins!

Post #48208 4th Oct 2009 10:38 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Alona



Member Since: 03 Nov 2008
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 201

2008 Freelander 2 TD4 SE Manual Santorini Black

Toolking wrote:
Alona

As quoted earlier, the kerbweight for the fL2 is "fron 1775KG", which makes the MTPLW of our van a 100% match, somewhat above the advised 85% match. However, the 85% match is only recommended and up to 100% is thought to be ok if you are an experienced tower. I try not to overload the van so we should be below the MTPLW ( The loading allowance on the van is around 250Kg). The combination is very stable, much more so than the single axle we used to tow behind a variety of other cars, I actually bought my first FL to improve this.
The stated 2000Kg towing limit for the FL" is all about its ability to restart on a steep hill. My experience is that it has no trouble at all with hill restarts

We do have a Powertouch mover fitted, the only way we can do the final bit of parking it back in the barn where it lives. It does ok though you do need a fully charged battery and it struggles a bit to turn the twin axle. I found that a good solution is to use a Purple line Hitchdrive jockey wheel along with the mover, not because you can manually drive the jockey wheel but because it gives you a 'tiller' you can steer it with


Only asking as my kerb wt is 1958kg + towbar and roofrails. Which for makes it about 2000kg.

I know thats it been some time since i last had a van, but are two movers not better on a twin? Only asking as thinking of get it done.

But here is somthing.

If say my kerb wt is as per the V5 and i had the wt of the towbar and rails as i say. Then take this to a wt brigde and get that down on paper. If im then stopped by the police would that wt's be taking into consideration Question or would i still be over. Question Question

Alona 08 FL2 SE TD4 manual,Santorini Black, Factory fitted Black Tinted Glass, Anti-Tesco Trolly Side Protection, bebe confort axiss carseats & Cargo barrier to stop twin's buggy & junk coming through. NO Sweets Crisps or Drinks inside.
WITH TWINS, YOU DON'T HAVE MONEY Smile Now towing a Abbey Vouge 650 1800kg

Tug weight 1958kg + Roofrails & Towbar

Post #48211 4th Oct 2009 12:40 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
pjb



Member Since: 02 Sep 2009
Location: Sunny Oxon
Posts: 40

Towed like a dream, given it was a Censored awful day and blowing a gale, thanks for all the input, even from CG Whistle he always brightens my day.

Toolking - nice outfit, we ended up with movers on both axles - try reversing in to a narrow space with a defender on a commercial site and you provide amusement for the rest of the happy campers for far too long !

Biggest problem is it flattens the battery very quickly !

Kind Regards

Paul D4 Commercial
Mini GP2

Post #48261 5th Oct 2009 3:44 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Send e-mail Post Reply
Post Reply  Back to top
Page 2 of 2 <12
All times are GMT

Jump to  
Previous Topic | Next Topic >
Posting Rules
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum



Site Copyright © 2006-2024 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
Freel2.com RSS Feed - All Forums


Switch to Mobile site