lowering plates?

[puddle hoppers inc.]

hi all, i was wondering if i would need lowering plates for my 03 terrano, or how do i tell if i might? the caravan is in a really awkward position so its not really feasible to just hook up. cheers chaps :thumb2

[(RIP) PLANK]

I have drop plates in my shed and i am in the west mids, is it a standard flange fit ball?

[puddle hoppers inc.]

yes, its a standard, ye olde worlde towbar . i am a bit worried that when i put the van on ready for hols i am gonna drag the ar#e out of it on the drive! our cough splutter vectra rubbed the vans backend coming off the drive, ever so slightly but enough! cheers, mike.

[geoffdown]

yes, its a standard, ye olde worlde towbar . i am a bit worried that when i put the van on ready for hols i am gonna drag the ar#e out of it on the drive! our cough splutter vectra rubbed the vans backend coming off the drive, ever so slightly but enough! cheers, mike.

hope this helps

British & European Standards

All towbars comply with ISO 1102 and BS AU 113 which specifies the dimensions and location of the towball to ensure a safe and level towing height of between 350mm and 420mm (ground to centre of towball when vehicle is laden) EC94/20 the European Regulation : Towbars are totally committed to conform to this standard and have a full testing program underway in conjunction with the VCA (vehicle certification agency).

[(RIP) PLANK]

The regs are different for 4x4's you can still use drop plates i believe :thumb2

[zippy656]

hi all, i was wondering if i would need lowering plates for my 03 terrano, or how do i tell if i might? the caravan is in a really awkward position so its not really feasible to just hook up. cheers chaps :thumb2

Got a pic or two

Maybe a new van is what you need

[puddle hoppers inc.]

i couldnt afford a new van tbh :eek:, its a 94 with no damp and is mint, we have only had it since april after changing up from a conway cruiser folding camper(great bit of kit). i will do some measuring....

[Lazy-Ferret]

Measure the tow ball height, and check our caravan book recommendation.

Most caravans recommend a height between 14 and 17 inches, but generally 15 or 16 inches is the norm.

Our van actually sits nice and level on the T2 which is at 16" with out any drop plate, but it was always nose down behind the V70 and the 240, both of which only had 14 inches, so I am very pleased with how it sits now.

[puddle hoppers inc.]

thanks, our problem is that the van sits in a dip and when we pulled it out with the vectra it scraped the rear legs as it goes back down onto the road at the other side of the dip. i may have to suck and see?

[puddle hoppers inc.]

i am worried it may be too nose high thus pushing the bum downward if you get my drift. thanks, mike.

[Lazy-Ferret]

Take a tyre pump with you, and let the back tyres of the car down as you pull it out, then once on the flat pump them back up again... Simples... :lol:lol

[puddle hoppers inc.]

Take a tyre pump with you, and let the back tyres of the car down as you pull it out, then once on the flat pump them back up again... Simples... :lol:lol

thanks...thats filed with my bigger caravan/off road caravan wheels...(please tell me they do 'em...)

[MudLifeCrisis]

As a caravan salesman I wouldn't dream of telling you to buy a new caravan but if you wanted one Im only in Hertfordshire lol :lol. I've towed lots of different vans with my Maverick and always founds they sat a bit nose high without a drop plate infact my own twin axle was very twitchy but with the plate towed perfectly . Having to constantly take it off for offroading as it acted like a plough and then refitting for towing got on nerves so I cured it by buying another towcar :lol

Brian

[zippy656]

Im in wiltshire, nice new vans for sale here

[Lazy-Ferret]

Here's your answer...

http://www.nissan4x4ownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17817

You could make this one a lot lower to the ground, drag the van out backwards, then re-hitch up thr right way round, and remove this one for safe driving on the road.

[wildbri]

my tow ball is 18 inches from the ground uncoupled, with a loaded car, two bikes on spare wheel bike rack and caravan nose weight it comes down enough to make the van slightly nose down. I would like a new van but I think that my 1986 abi dawnstar will see me out.

My drive slopes down and the jockey wheel just misses the ground, not like when I had a premeia estatethe wheel touched.

regards bri

[puddle hoppers inc.]

thanks guys, i had to buy a new snake bar plate for terrano as i left the other on when i px'd it....oops! so ive bought one that has a drop plate on it. i shall fit the weekend and give it a good tug off! mike.

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

http://www.towsure.com/product/4_Inch_Drop_Plate

drop plates aren't legal on post S reg class m vehicles ie passanger cars and suvs

see http://www.tow-trust.co.uk/approval/ for definition of ec94/20

Type approval EC94/20 was introduced under European law from the 1st January 1998 and was implemented in the UK on the 1st August 1998. The aim of these regulations was to standardise the design and manufacture of towbars. As a result of this, all light passenger vehicles manufactured after this date must only be fitted with towbars that conform to the EC94/20 regulations. Towbars that meet these requirements will always carry a type approval label.

The standards also specify the dimensions, locations and clearance of the 50mm towball. The towing height should be between 350mm and 420mm from the ground to the centre of the towball when the vehicle is laden.

[puddle hoppers inc.]

i wont tell if you dont.......:augie
they also say that bent carrots are not fit for human consumption,
thanks for the heads up though, mike.