lowering plates?

puddle hoppers inc. · 06-02-2013, 20:08

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

(RIP) PLANK · 06-02-2013, 20:19

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

puddle hoppers inc. · 06-02-2013, 20:24

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 · 06-02-2013, 20:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · 06-02-2013, 21:00

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

zippy656 · 06-02-2013, 21:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

Got a pic or two

Maybe a new van is what you need

puddle hoppers inc. · 06-02-2013, 22:29

i couldnt afford a new van tbh

, 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 · 06-02-2013, 22:29

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. · 06-02-2013, 22:33

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. · 06-02-2013, 22:34

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

Lazy-Ferret · 06-02-2013, 22:57

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...

puddle hoppers inc. · 06-02-2013, 23:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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...

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

MudLifeCrisis · 06-02-2013, 23:27

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

. 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

Brian

zippy656 · 07-02-2013, 08:30

Im in wiltshire, nice new vans for sale here

Lazy-Ferret · 07-02-2013, 16:56

Here's your answer...

http://www.nissan4x4ownersclub.com/f...ad.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.

06-02-2013, 20:08	#1
puddle hoppers inc. Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: west midlands Vehicle: terrano se 2.7 Posts: 1,041	lowering plates? 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

06-02-2013, 20:19	#2
(RIP) PLANK Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Central England, in the Heart of the Black Country Vehicle: T2 2004 TDI SE LWB Posts: 7,740	I have drop plates in my shed and i am in the west mids, is it a standard flange fit ball?

06-02-2013, 20:24	#3
puddle hoppers inc. Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: west midlands Vehicle: terrano se 2.7 Posts: 1,041	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.

06-02-2013, 21:00	#5
(RIP) PLANK Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Central England, in the Heart of the Black Country Vehicle: T2 2004 TDI SE LWB Posts: 7,740	The regs are different for 4x4's you can still use drop plates i believe

06-02-2013, 22:29	#7
puddle hoppers inc. Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: west midlands Vehicle: terrano se 2.7 Posts: 1,041	i couldnt afford a new van tbh , 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....

06-02-2013, 22:29	#8
Lazy-Ferret Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sevenoaks, Kent Vehicle: Terrano 2.7TDi SE Touring Posts: 5,221	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.

06-02-2013, 22:33	#9
puddle hoppers inc. Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: west midlands Vehicle: terrano se 2.7 Posts: 1,041	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?

06-02-2013, 22:34	#10
puddle hoppers inc. Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: west midlands Vehicle: terrano se 2.7 Posts: 1,041	i am worried it may be too nose high thus pushing the bum downward if you get my drift. thanks, mike.

06-02-2013, 22:57	#11
Lazy-Ferret Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sevenoaks, Kent Vehicle: Terrano 2.7TDi SE Touring Posts: 5,221	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...

06-02-2013, 23:27	#13
MudLifeCrisis Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: St Albans Herts Vehicle: 1997 Mav 2.7tdi lwb Posts: 1,377	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 . 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 Brian

07-02-2013, 08:30	#14
zippy656 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Devizes Wiltshire Vehicle: Nissan Note Ntec 1.5 Posts: 14,138	Im in wiltshire, nice new vans for sale here

07-02-2013, 16:56	#15
Lazy-Ferret Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sevenoaks, Kent Vehicle: Terrano 2.7TDi SE Touring Posts: 5,221	Here's your answer... http://www.nissan4x4ownersclub.com/f...ad.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.