Drop plate.

Deleted account DD · 09-09-2008, 17:54

Hi, as a fanatical long term caravaner I reckon my new T2 will be excellent.

However I'll be picking the van up from storage tomorrow and my uncalibrated eye and slightly more accurate xmas cracker tape measure tells me the tow ball may be a bit high.

I've heard horrible things about drop plates but it looks like its my only option.

Does anyone have any experience of them on the T2's ?

Cheers

Paul · 09-09-2008, 18:12

Don't have to use one on our T2, just have the ball bolted to the lowest holes, seems o.k.when we have the van on.

Paul

elty001 · 09-09-2008, 18:26

i think drop plates have to be eu approved or something.it all depends on the manufacturer of the tow bar.my 2.7 tdi has a witter and that is a about 25mm higher (on bottom bolt holes)than the bosal one i have on my 2.4.

zippy656 · 09-09-2008, 18:33

daved, ive the brink 4 bolt towball, no need for a drop plate at all, my bailey caravan sits well.

i have to remember its there as my speed creaps up and over 60mph...

I dont have any stabliser either..

as i said earlyer PM me if you want to stop for a tea n chat on your way home. im in devize
Zippy

jims-terrano · 09-09-2008, 19:48

Also think about ground clearance on the tow ball when fitted with a drop plate.

Jim T

Thomas-the-Terrano2 · 09-09-2008, 20:36

my 4 bolt witter means my lunar sit nose up, but rear isnt quite dragging on the floor

: with sprite and higher nose weight all looks level.

good point about approved drop plates, this applies to those on s reg and newer. where all parts have to have eu approval, typically with a 'golden' ball.

I would say try it first, generally wont find many tails that can wag these dogs and maintain best ground clearance for off road.

Paul · 09-09-2008, 20:56

Off topic abit..SORRY! But doe's anyone know where I can find out more about using a Nose Weight Gauge.

Sorry for the bit of a hijack here!

Paul

zippy656 · 09-09-2008, 21:20

i used to have one, but stop dont any more

i dont use any thing now, plate on tow bar is 115kg. so i think if i can just about lift that ontthe tow ball its just about right.

i run with out stabiliser too, but never had trouble with any tails and dogs..

:

Zippy

Deleted account DD · 09-09-2008, 21:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul332

Off topic abit..SORRY! But doe's anyone know where I can find out more about using a Nose Weight Gauge.

Sorry for the bit of a hijack here!

Paul

Hi. I use a £3 set of tesco bathroom scales ad a length of wood between them and the tow coupling, works a treat :wink:

Paul · 09-09-2008, 21:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by daved

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul332

Off topic abit..SORRY! But doe's anyone know where I can find out more about using a Nose Weight Gauge.

Sorry for the bit of a hijack here!

Paul

Hi. I use a £3 set of tesco bathroom scales ad a length of wood between them and the tow coupling, works a treat :wink:

What I don't get s, how do you use them??

zippy656 · 09-09-2008, 22:07

drop the caravan hitch onto them and read nose weight off the scale on the side.

:smile:

Deleted account DD · 09-09-2008, 22:09

Park up the van level with stabiliser legs wound up, jockey wheel down.

Place the bathroom scales under the hitch and measure the vertical distance between the top of them and inside of the hitch.

Cut a piece of timber, broom handle or similar to that length.

Put the van so that its slightly nose high (using the jockey wheel)

Place the wood vertically into the hitch at one end and on the scales at the other.

Wind the jockey wheel up so the van is pivoting on its wheels , until the jockey wheel is eventually up off the ground and the wood/scales are taking the weight on the front instead of it.

You will then have the van sitting as though it is being towed ie on its wheels, level or slightly nose down (only not hitched up!!!). The force with which the nose pushes down via the bit of wood onto the scales gives the nose weight.

The max nose weight for my bailey is 75kg, If the towbar max is higher always go with the lowest.

Hope that helps and I'm not teaching granny about eggs :? :wink:

rustic · 10-09-2008, 07:34

I agree with Daved, but I will add it may be worth putting a thick piece of wood (plywood/chipboard) on the scales first to spread the load, a point load of 100kg may dent the top of the scales, and the wife won't be too pleased 8O Also as a rough guide, if you can just pick up the hitch with one hand like a suitcase you are about right. (depends how strong you are of course) Rustic

Paul · 10-09-2008, 07:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by daved

Hope that helps and I'm not teaching granny about eggs :? :wink:

Thanks thats a great help!! not had the van long & it's our first one so learning all the time.
Paul

Thanks for that too rustic..

Deleted account DD · 10-09-2008, 16:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustic

it may be worth putting a thick piece of wood (plywood/chipboard) on the scales first to spread the load, a point load of 100kg may dent the top of the scales,

Completely agree (and so does the better half) . I did dent the bathroom scales but fortunately theyre old and were due replacement (ahemmm) hence the £3 tesco ones for caravan only and a new set for the bathroom.

ops:

Should have mentioned that :!:

09-09-2008, 17:54	#1
Deleted account DD Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 4,705	Drop plate. Hi, as a fanatical long term caravaner I reckon my new T2 will be excellent. However I'll be picking the van up from storage tomorrow and my uncalibrated eye and slightly more accurate xmas cracker tape measure tells me the tow ball may be a bit high. I've heard horrible things about drop plates but it looks like its my only option. Does anyone have any experience of them on the T2's ? Cheers

09-09-2008, 18:12	#2
Paul Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: North West Vehicle: 2002 Terrano 3.0 Di LWB Posts: 1,961	Don't have to use one on our T2, just have the ball bolted to the lowest holes, seems o.k.when we have the van on. Paul __________________ 2002 Terrano 3.0 Di LWB..

09-09-2008, 18:26	#3
elty001 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Aflreton,Derbyshire. Vehicle: 2000se+ 2.7tdi terrano II Posts: 6,832	drop plate i think drop plates have to be eu approved or something.it all depends on the manufacturer of the tow bar.my 2.7 tdi has a witter and that is a about 25mm higher (on bottom bolt holes)than the bosal one i have on my 2.4.

09-09-2008, 20:36	#6
Thomas-the-Terrano2 Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hackenthorpe Sheffield Vehicle: Terrano2 R20 lwb 2.7TDi Posts: 5,234	my 4 bolt witter means my lunar sit nose up, but rear isnt quite dragging on the floor : with sprite and higher nose weight all looks level. good point about approved drop plates, this applies to those on s reg and newer. where all parts have to have eu approval, typically with a 'golden' ball. I would say try it first, generally wont find many tails that can wag these dogs and maintain best ground clearance for off road. __________________ M6YTB / 20YTB '60' 2010 Ford C Max Zetec 1.6i, black '56' 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0TD, silver 2021 Bailey Pegasus Grade SE Turin caravan Smile, its more likely to confuse. One Life, Don't Just Live It, Drive a Nissan, or ...... a Jeep. Owner of Nissan 4x4s 2005 to 2019, and maybe in the future too!

09-09-2008, 20:56	#7
Paul Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: North West Vehicle: 2002 Terrano 3.0 Di LWB Posts: 1,961	Off topic abit..SORRY! But doe's anyone know where I can find out more about using a Nose Weight Gauge. Sorry for the bit of a hijack here! Paul __________________ 2002 Terrano 3.0 Di LWB..

09-09-2008, 18:33	#4
zippy656 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Devizes Wiltshire Vehicle: Nissan Note Ntec 1.5 Posts: 14,137	daved, ive the brink 4 bolt towball, no need for a drop plate at all, my bailey caravan sits well. i have to remember its there as my speed creaps up and over 60mph... I dont have any stabliser either.. as i said earlyer PM me if you want to stop for a tea n chat on your way home. im in devize Zippy

09-09-2008, 19:48	#5
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	Also think about ground clearance on the tow ball when fitted with a drop plate. Jim T

09-09-2008, 21:20	#8
zippy656 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Devizes Wiltshire Vehicle: Nissan Note Ntec 1.5 Posts: 14,137	i used to have one, but stop dont any more i dont use any thing now, plate on tow bar is 115kg. so i think if i can just about lift that ontthe tow ball its just about right. i run with out stabiliser too, but never had trouble with any tails and dogs.. : Zippy

09-09-2008, 22:07	#11
zippy656 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Devizes Wiltshire Vehicle: Nissan Note Ntec 1.5 Posts: 14,137	drop the caravan hitch onto them and read nose weight off the scale on the side. :smile:

09-09-2008, 22:09	#12
Deleted account DD Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 4,705	Park up the van level with stabiliser legs wound up, jockey wheel down. Place the bathroom scales under the hitch and measure the vertical distance between the top of them and inside of the hitch. Cut a piece of timber, broom handle or similar to that length. Put the van so that its slightly nose high (using the jockey wheel) Place the wood vertically into the hitch at one end and on the scales at the other. Wind the jockey wheel up so the van is pivoting on its wheels , until the jockey wheel is eventually up off the ground and the wood/scales are taking the weight on the front instead of it. You will then have the van sitting as though it is being towed ie on its wheels, level or slightly nose down (only not hitched up!!!). The force with which the nose pushes down via the bit of wood onto the scales gives the nose weight. The max nose weight for my bailey is 75kg, If the towbar max is higher always go with the lowest. Hope that helps and I'm not teaching granny about eggs :? :wink:

10-09-2008, 07:34	#13
rustic Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Staffordshire Vehicle: Maverick Mk I 2.7 TD LWB Posts: 7,825	I agree with Daved, but I will add it may be worth putting a thick piece of wood (plywood/chipboard) on the scales first to spread the load, a point load of 100kg may dent the top of the scales, and the wife won't be too pleased 8O Also as a rough guide, if you can just pick up the hitch with one hand like a suitcase you are about right. (depends how strong you are of course) Rustic __________________ Ford Maverick GLX 1995 2.7TD LWB in illusion silver, 98k miles. Owned since new, for 22 years. Best car I have ever owned. Just wish I could drive it more.