Towing

Turboman · Jan 18, 2018

1988smithy said:
Didn't want to start a new thread...

I'm picking a small camping trailer up the weekend. Never towed before, is it worth taking a bit of weight to put in the trailer rather than towing empty?

I was thinking the mother in law but it's only a 750kg unbraked

Shouldn't be a problem, but if you want to put something in it, make sure it is secured, and in front of the axle.

1988smithy · Jan 18, 2018

Turboman said:
Shouldn't be a problem, but if you want to put something in it, make sure it is secured, and in front of the axle.

Top man, I'll leave it empty then.

When it comes to my camping gear, heaviest stuff in front of axle (within reason) or spread evenly as possible?

Turboman · Jan 18, 2018

1988smithy said:
Top man, I'll leave it empty then.

When it comes to my camping gear, heaviest stuff in front of axle (within reason) or spread evenly as possible?

Always so that there is weight on the towball. If the trailer lifts the towball you may get nasty trailer swing. About 30kg on the ball for a small single axle trailer is ideal.

Marmaduke · Jan 18, 2018

1988smithy said:
Top man, I'll leave it empty then.

When it comes to my camping gear, heaviest stuff in front of axle (within reason) or spread evenly as possible?

How big is the trailer and how heavy is the stuff you're planning on putting in?

1988smithy · Jan 18, 2018

Marmaduke said:
How big is the trailer and how heavy is the stuff you're planning on putting in?

Just 5x3 internal dims. Only a 6man tent and standard amount of gear. Only go for 4 nights at a time so we ain't packed to the gunwales. Just wanted a little trailer so the doggo got more room. Basically I'm thinking pack kids, dog, big box of kitchenware and food and clothes/bedding in the car, camping hardware in the trailer

Marmaduke · Jan 18, 2018

1988smithy said:
Just 5x3 internal dims. Only a 6man tent and standard amount of gear. Only go for 4 nights at a time so we ain't packed to the gunwales. Just wanted a little trailer so the doggo got more room. Basically I'm thinking pack kids, dog, big box of kitchenware and food and clothes/bedding in the car, camping hardware in the trailer

Just spread it evenly then, it's not like your carrying an engine or one single item that's the maximum weight for the trailer.

1988smithy · Jan 18, 2018

Marmaduke said:
Just spread it evenly then, it's not like your carrying an engine or one single item that's the maximum weight for the trailer.

Sound, nice 1. Tents about 30kgs so..

Turboman said:
About 30kg on the ball for a small single axle trailer is ideal.

Then I'll even the rest out and keep weight low down. Cheers guys

Discokids · Jan 18, 2018

For the weight you're describing and the weight of the vehicle it's not really too much of a consideration. It's more of a problem when you put a 16' ifor on the back then put a vehicle on it. Driving said vehicle within a foot on the trailer could massively alter the nose weight. My trailer is solid galvd 6x4 and weighs about 175kg. The axle sits only slightly Rear of centre and this imbalance plus the weight of the frame and hitch give it an unladen nose weight of around 20kg. I've used it on cars as light as 1200kg and if I put my kids quad in it just push it to the front and leave it there with the parking brake on. Gives it a nose weight of around 40kgs.
Most of the time you wouldn't know it was on the back.
Really, You want to be able to pick it up at the hitch but without struggling. Nose weight gauges are cheap if you're really concerned, or bathroom scales.

1988smithy · Jan 18, 2018

Cheers @Discokids. Just thought I'd ask just in case I did something stupid but as long as my sense is common I'll be alright I think

being sensible for once, start my towing experience with something small not jumping in with a tri axle 3500kg monster

Discokids · Jan 18, 2018

No probs, if I'm ever towing anything other than my own trailer I take my own light board and extension as well as checking they work first. I sold a 12' twin axle trailer about three years ago and the bloke started to sit and rewire his brand new lightboard outside in the pitch black because he'd never used it and assumed it would just work (it did as we proved it in my Renault scenic, his car was the problem) his car was going mad in response to what he was asking of it and he ended up driving away with just a single tail light.
At least on a disco the lights are high enough to give people some idea of your intentions if there is a problem with the trainers lights. Store it off its wheels aswell unless like mine it's being moved / used often. There's a massive tdg / xpo storage depot near me and they have thousands of caravans in there. Every spring you see them broken down within a mile or two with a burst Tyre.

1988smithy · Jan 20, 2018

Bless!

Discokids · Jan 20, 2018

1988smithy said:
Bless!

View attachment 139565

That's a good looking little unit, galv frame will last years but won't be tinny like a cheap erde etc, all you need is a short breakaway cable, which on a disco should keep it from touching the floor. Does the hitch have much play on the ball? What weight is it played at?

1988smithy · Jan 20, 2018

Discokids said:
That's a good looking little unit, galv frame will last years but won't be tinny like a cheap erde etc, all you need is a short breakaway cable, which on a disco should keep it from touching the floor. Does the hitch have much play on the ball? What weight is it played at?

Yeah it's nice and solid, panels need staining/painting but not rotten.
I forgot about a breakaway cable when I picked it up, wasn't too happy without 1 but was ok. Going to pick one up in the week.
Nice and snug on the ball, not much play at all.
Left indicator packed up on way home, but the lens is cracked so think it's got wet. New lenses on fleabay for a few quid aren't they?
Only plates I can see at the moment are these

Well pleased for £80 though

Discokids · Jan 20, 2018

£80 for that is a steal! Especially for something plated up. For the cost I'd be tempted to just rewire it.

1988smithy · Jan 20, 2018

Discokids said:
£80 for that is a steal! Especially for something plated up. For the cost I'd be tempted to just rewire it.

I might just strip the current electrics off and use a trailer board. Bit of flexibility then if I need to tow anything else. Be nice to keep it permanently wired tho.

Should serve us well!

bluedog333 · Jan 20, 2018

Looks good for £80. Personally I don’t like the tiny trailers, as they’re a pain to reverse! But they still have a use.

Discokids · Jan 20, 2018

1988smithy said:
I might just strip the current electrics off and use a trailer board. Bit of flexibility then if I need to tow anything else. Be nice to keep it permanently wired tho.

Should serve us well!

Trailer board does mean you can pinch it for something else.

bluedog333 said:
Looks good for £80. Personally I don’t like the tiny trailers, as they’re a pain to reverse! But they still have a use.

Yes, they're a nightmare on the back of a disco etc, bigger the trailer - easier to reverse.

1988smithy · Jan 20, 2018

bluedog333 said:
Looks good for £80. Personally I don’t like the tiny trailers, as they’re a pain to reverse! But they still have a use.

Yeah it'll do me for what I need and storage I've got.
It's a bit weird not being able to feel I'm towing it or feckin see the thing in my mirrors! Got on the m6 at 15, didn't see it again till I turned onto my estate in willenhall

Discokids · Jan 20, 2018

Good excuse for a rear view camera. I set my cars built in one to permanent on when I've got trailer / bike rack on.

1988smithy · Jan 20, 2018

Discokids said:
Good excuse for a rear view camera. I set my cars built in one to permanent on when I've got trailer / bike rack on.

Definitely on the cards I think. Talking of bikes I'll need to mount a couple on the trailer unless I've got clearance to use my spare wheel carrier.

Towing

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