Towbar mount occasionally drags on the ground (1 Viewer)

[DDJC]

I have searched for this but can’t find any reference to it.

Our moho is 7.15m, but based on the shorter wheelbase Ducato chassis. We have a towbar fitted.

Occasionally, when boarding a ferry ramp or negotiating a camber, the bottom of the tow ball mount will drag and scrape on the ground. I normally carry a small wheel dolly (pic attached) to slide under the tow ball mount if I think we are going to drag, but I wonder whether anyone has come up with a better solution?

 

[bigtwin]

Sounds noisy when they work but stop any damage.

Sorry but it works perfectly and they are fitted as standard onto Morello and I have never had a problem with the tow bar grounding as I tow a car. Cheap easy solution and cause no damage to the chassis. Mine were fitted by main Carthago dealer.

If you’ve never had a problem with your tow bar grounding, which bit of your Carthago is grounding out?

Ian

 

[ChrisCross]

Another plug for air suspension, at least on the rear end. You can increase the height at the push of a button. Helps all round driving as well.

Yes. I have air suspension and can raise the rear end by another 5 inches when needed.

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[Ianj55]

I think you have all got the wrong end of the thread ,tow bar has not grounded since the fitting of the wheels. Why would they be fitted and sold. If you look for problems with recovery there is not a problem watched Carthago loaded onto a low loader in Croatia without a problem .Look at the website and I reiterate they work perfectly. Why spend loads of money on air suspension when there is a cheap solution !

 

[DDJC]

Thanks for all the advice and opinions. On balance, I am going to look at air suspension. To be able to raise the rear by even two inches would solve the issue for me I think.

Can someone give a bit more info on how air suspension improves the ride and stability? As I said, we travel pretty close to 3500, so the back feels a tag spongey when going above 60. I generally stick at 60 anyway, but occasionally you need to overtake a tugger or lorry!

Also, is there any benefit for levelling once parked?

Thanks much.

 

[Blaydon]

Hi There - we have had this on our motorhomes in the past - think of it another way - the two bar is a reversing aid - stops any knocks to the back end id you get it wrong - and when you hear that noise as it drags across the loading ramp or road - say to yourself 'Well that means I am not getting any damage to the rear panel'.
We have a bumper fitted to the back to protect the rear panels from any pumps - I would always have one on a MH.
The one we have on our current vehicle is polished - so the cars that get too close can see what is about to ruin their day.


I fitted a skid plate to one vehicle, just a plate of 1/4" plate bent to catch the ground if it got too close. Worked really well.

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[Ridgeway]

Rear air (fitted ours 2yrs back) helps with reducing the rolling effect (swaying) that you often get at the back end. I have been very impressed with ours for what it cost (around €300) and it certainly helps when passing HGV's as again it helps with that swaying effect. And then of course you can increase/decrease the stiffness by inflating the bags.

 

[Steve and Denise]

DDJC you will find vans such as Morello use a much heavier Iveco chassis rather than a lightweight pressed steel one. Is your van on a Fiat or Alko rear chassis?
Rear air is definitely the way to go but a big price difference between Fiat £300 and Alko £3,000 estimate

 

[DDJC]

DDJC you will find vans such as Morello use a much heavier Iveco chassis rather than a lightweight pressed steel one. Is your van on a Fiat or Alko rear chassis?
Rear air is definitely the way to go but a big price difference between Fiat £300 and Alko £3,000 estimate

Fiat Ducato chassis, not sure which one.

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[Canyon904]

I have ploughed a furrow throughout Europe and Morocco with my tow hitch, diagonal approach and air ride helps but I'm glad that I haven't removed or damaged the rear valance. PS the tow hitch was recommended and fitted by Trucks r Us to protect the rear valance.

 

[TonyEmm]

Occasionally, when boarding a ferry ramp or negotiating a camber, the bottom of the tow ball mount will drag and scrape on the ground. I normally carry a small wheel dolly (pic attached) to slide under the tow ball mount if I think we are going to drag, but I wonder whether anyone has come up with a better solution?


View attachment 475950

what height is the centre of your towball? Directive 94/20EC specifies 350mm to 420mm when fully laden. If yours is lower, it could be a suspension issue. It started to happen on a car I once owned, turned out I had a broken rear spring! As others have said, I’d refrain from using your ‘dolly’.

 

[farmersboy]

Here is my answer to dragging my bottom, I had a broken wheelie bin which needed recycling so made up brackets to fit the wheels to the towbar.

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[nicholsong]

I always feel that it is a good warning and would prefer the towbar to ground rather than bodywork.

I always thought that all it does is transfer some force to the chassis and lift it off the suspension slightly.

Does a slight scrape cause any damage?

I am willing to learn.

Geoff

I am quoting my own post because nobody said whether my thinking is right or wrong.

Some input please

Geoff

 

[DDJC]

what height is the centre of your towball? Directive 94/20EC specifies 350mm to 420mm when fully laden. If yours is lower, it could be a suspension issue. It started to happen on a car I once owned, turned out I had a broken rear spring! As others have said, I’d refrain from using your ‘dolly’.

Doubt that a leaf is broken. There are no other indications of a broken spring when driving, and it is a '68 plate, serviced twice now. The tow ball height is a tad over 38 cm, measured with a 30 cm ruler! The trailer is the shortest twin axle you can get and is 41 cm high.

I am happy to leave the dolly out of the boot as it weighs 7 kilos. So bottom line for me then, is if I go for semi air suspension, I lose 7 kilos & £400, and gain 12-15 kilos. Works for me.

 

[DDJC]

I am quoting my own post because nobody said whether my thinking is right or wrong.

Some input please

Geoff

No idea Geoff! I am here to learn as well!
I would agree that a scratch on the underside or the tow bar is preferable to ripping off the GRP bodywork!

I love the wheelie bin wheel idea! Just amazed that it supports what must be a couple of tons of motorhome weight!

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[farmersboy]

The wheels would be only relieving the road springs of weight so would only assisting rather than carrying the full weight of the rear of the motorhome. Because of lockdown not had a chance to prove my theory !!!!!!!

 

[Yorick]

Fit a small titanium plate and you'll get lots of sparks. Cool.

Faster you go, more sparks. Win, win

 

[bigtwin]

Here is my answer to dragging my bottom, I had a broken wheelie bin which needed recycling so made up brackets to fit the wheels to the towbar.View attachment 476562

I presume your arrangement has never been tested in action? I think the loads expected from a wheelie bin will be somewhat lower than they might experience with your intended usage.

I love the wheelie bin wheel idea! Just amazed that it supports what must be a couple of tons of motorhome weight!

I doubt that it would but perhaps farmersboy can confirm that it has.

Ian

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[farmersboy]

I presume your arrangement has never been tested in action? I think the loads expected from a wheelie bin will be somewhat lower than they might experience with your intended usage.



I doubt that it would but perhaps farmersboy can confirm that it has.

Ian

Not yet tried the theory but if you look at your wheelie bin wheels they are solid with a one inch axle and if they can stand the abuse from your dustman then surely they will help in stopping you dragging the towbar on the ramp which would be only a matter of a foot or so.

 

[bigtwin]

Not yet tried the theory but if you look at your wheelie bin wheels they are solid with a one inch axle and if they can stand the abuse from your dustman then surely they will help in stopping you dragging the towbar on the ramp which would be only a matter of a foot or so.

But I don’t put my dustman in the wheelie bin (he’s waaay too heavy!).

Ian

 

[marchie]

But I don’t put my dustman in the wheelie bin (he’s waaay too heavy!).

Ian

'I say, I say, I say ...'
'What you again. What is it this time?'
'There's Lilies in my dustbin'
'Ow d'ya know they're Lilies?'
' 'Cos Lilly's wearing them ...'

Lonnie Donegan, 'My Old Man's A Dustman'

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[gradyp]

I have been using Phil & Cath (AS Air Suspension) for around 12 years, in which time they have fitted air assist on my last 3 motorhomes and also HPC hydraulic jacks to our current van. They are very proficient with their fitting and lovely folk to deal with and I'm very happy to recommend them.
The price will depend on your particular motorhome and which chassis it is built on ... I'm sure they will be in touch soon but you could try ringing them on 01925-740666

Spoke to AS today and van booked in for later in April ,,,, thanks