Skoda towing woes

Fraczish replied on 15/12/2019 18:02

Fraczish

Posted on 15/12/2019 18:02

Good evening all!

We have recently come back to touring after the birth of our son. We bought an Abbey Cardinal 6 berth caravan MTPLM of 1490kg back on the summer for a decent price.

We have been away 3 times so far in her and it's safe to say we are loving having a van again and the freedom it brings!

Trouble is I'm really struggling to get her towing right. The first time we went away it was so bouncy that the wife started to feel travel sick! I have tried all ways of loading, heavy van, light van, heavy nose weight, light nose weight and she never really seems very settled.

I've had spring assistors fitted as I noticed the car sat very low when fully loaded with the van on, whilst I'm sure these are helping, our last trip wasn't really an improvement. I've got a digital noseweigt gauge that you put on the towbar and have tried all sorts of combinations.

I know this car has won some awards for towing but at the moment I'm really at the end of my ideas... Any advise from seasoned vanners would be greatly welcome.

Many thanks

Adam

9 replies

JVB66 replied on 17/12/2019 21:28

Member

JVB66

Campervanner from Hertfordshire

Posted on 17/12/2019 21:28

It will need a bit more info ,it would help if the model and year of Skoda is posted

EmilysDad replied on 17/12/2019 23:17

Member

EmilysDad

Caravanner

Posted on 17/12/2019 23:17

Are shockers fitted to the caravan? (just a thought .... )

As JVB says ... model, weight age & mileage of your car would help . You have had spring assisters fitted, could your rear springs be past their best? Car's rear tyre pressures?

Metheven replied on 18/12/2019 08:14

Member

Metheven

Caravanner

Posted on 18/12/2019 08:14

Is your cars towball height between the recommended distance from the ground to centre of ball (350mm - 420mm when loaded) and the caravans hitch height of (385mm - 455mm) to centre in a loaded and level condition.

Fraczish replied on 18/12/2019 12:16

Member

Fraczish

Caravanner

Posted on 17/12/2019 21:28 by JVB66

It will need a bit more info ,it would help if the model and year of Skoda is posted

Posted on 18/12/2019 12:16

Ok apologies, should of thought of that!

The car is a 2016 SEL Exec 2.0 DSG diesel. On the weigh bridge empty it was 1525KG.

Fraczish replied on 18/12/2019 12:18

Member

Fraczish

Caravanner

Posted on 17/12/2019 23:17 by EmilysDad

Are shockers fitted to the caravan? (just a thought .... )

As JVB says ... model, weight age & mileage of your car would help . You have had spring assisters fitted, could your rear springs be past their best? Car's rear tyre pressures?

Posted on 18/12/2019 12:18

It's a possibility that they are, however being fairly new and only covered 22k miles I'd be disappointed tbh. The rear pressures are always set to laden pressures of 43PSI as per the manual

Fraczish replied on 18/12/2019 12:19

Member

Fraczish

Caravanner

Posted on 18/12/2019 08:14 by Metheven

Is your cars towball height between the recommended distance from the ground to centre of ball (350mm - 420mm when loaded) and the caravans hitch height of (385mm - 455mm) to centre in a loaded and level condition.

Posted on 18/12/2019 12:19

This is something I will definitely need to look into, I will report back on this one. Thanks

harryb replied on 18/12/2019 13:15

Member

harryb

Caravanner from Nottinghamshire

Posted on 18/12/2019 13:15

You don't give car details but the MTPLM of 1490kgs seems high for a Skoda unless a large 4 wheel drive. Looking at the 85% rule you would need a vehicle of some 1750kgs

The car has won towing awards but the towing weights would be balanced to provide a safe and legal combination.

I would put all details into CMAC matching service

Lutz replied on 18/12/2019 15:50

Lutz

Caravanner

Posted on 18/12/2019 08:14 by Metheven

Is your cars towball height between the recommended distance from the ground to centre of ball (350mm - 420mm when loaded) and the caravans hitch height of (385mm - 455mm) to centre in a loaded and level condition.

Posted on 18/12/2019 15:50

Towball height should not affect ride characteristics when towing. MollysMummy has made some sensible comments worth looking into.