WDH - advice please...LC 200 towing 2014 20.63-1

[Matt'N'nic]

G'day all, - can't edit title ... LC 200...

I need your help please... I am hoping someone has the same set up (or similar) as me and I can make make the right decision...

This is the first van I have owned and I am reasonably green...

Vehicle.. I realise that all set ups are different with mods and all. I just picked up a 2009 200 series Sahara with a tonne on extras (bargain). I will try and cover them.

Front ARB bar, winch, snorkel, black widow draws,black widow alloy rood rack, back Kaymar bar, 270 lts long range tanks, air bags, kdss lift suspension (as well tyre pressure reader, UHF, 2nd full set off off road steel rims with off road tyres and prob more but that's all that comes to mind).

Van, std 20.63-1 that I had unserslung to give me more clearance. Tare is 2.2 t with ball weight of 244kgs, and gross will be 2.7t and about 270-280 on the ball. Has a bike rack on the back (fiamma) that carries 4 bikes at around 60kg.. I also have ESC.

Level wise the van sits around 100mm too high with only 5 psi in the bags. It hardly dropped the back of the car at all. An couple of inches tops... this was loaded heavily with the front water tank 3/4 full. When lighter is when I need the lower hitch - photo is a bit flattering.

Towed the van around 1300kms at Xmas and it towed well. On the way home with very strong x winds (gust of 60-80km) it also handled as well as I could have imagined.

Here are my questions?

Do I need a full WDH system? Pros and cons...

Do I only need a drop hitch to level the van out? What do others do that have a simialr set up?

I have seen some people lift the hitch on the van so it sits evenly with the top of the draw bar effectively giving them an extra 80mm which will be enough for me. (It is nestled low and comes off a lower plate level with the bottom of the draw bar. Sorry, hard to describe. I will try and attach a photo... Not sure if this is a good idea, not sure if it will affect insurance etc?

Will the WDH do anything to help? Will it make it worse? Any advice would be great.

All all in advance

 

[TTBRIDGE]

Hey Mate,


I have a 200 as well, when I had my expanda I got a drop hitch (much easier than lifting the hitch and no potential legal issues) This levelled out the van / car well.

With the lift and spring setup I would say you do not need load levels. (everyone has a different opinion on them) I saw and excellent display by Hanye & Reece at a caravan show that had load cells under a van and car. The load cells showed what the van did to a car in regards to weight distribution when hooked up, and then the effect on the car once a load leveller was attached. This made me believe a lot more than I did prior. They certainly do work, but I would say they are still a bit dependant on your situation. However, my take is load levels is they are essentially designed to put weight back on the front wheels, to aid breaking and steering and less chance of sway by needing smaller wheel movements.

As my car is pretty much the same as yours, based on this display by the time you add a bulbar / winch etc you have already added extra weight to the front wheels. By adding a van you probably only bring the weight back to a standard vehicle. I do not run one, and do not see the need based on anything I have seen or researched.

The bags keep the back from sinking and riding level.

If it was me, and what I have done in the past. Change the hitch, and level the ride that way. There certainly is a place for load levels but not in the large car towing segment if you are modified in the way you are.

I will stress here, this is my opinion and based on my experience. Others may have had different experience.

Good Luck.

 

[Tone]

 

[Matty4]

I know that video was produced by a company with a vested interest in selling WDH systems, but it is still a very simple and graphic illustration of the benefits of using a WDH in all circumstances.

 

[BigSkiddy]

What was that last bit where it said the ball weight is now zero??? What do they mean???

 

[Matt'N'nic]

Hey Mate,


I have a 200 as well, when I had my expanda I got a drop hitch (much easier than lifting the hitch and no potential legal issues) This levelled out the van / car well.

With the lift and spring setup I would say you do not need load levels. (everyone has a different opinion on them) I saw and excellent display by Hanye & Reece at a caravan show that had load cells under a van and car. The load cells showed what the van did to a car in regards to weight distribution when hooked up, and then the effect on the car once a load leveller was attached. This made me believe a lot more than I did prior. They certainly do work, but I would say they are still a bit dependant on your situation. However, my take is load levels is they are essentially designed to put weight back on the front wheels, to aid breaking and steering and less chance of sway by needing smaller wheel movements.

As my car is pretty much the same as yours, based on this display by the time you add a bulbar / winch etc you have already added extra weight to the front wheels. By adding a van you probably only bring the weight back to a standard vehicle. I do not run one, and do not see the need based on anything I have seen or researched.

The bags keep the back from sinking and riding level.

If it was me, and what I have done in the past. Change the hitch, and level the ride that way. There certainly is a place for load levels but not in the large car towing segment if you are modified in the way you are.

I will stress here, this is my opinion and based on my experience. Others may have had different experience.

Good Luck.

Thanks @TTBRIDGE for taking the time to write your response and pass
on some of your wisdom. I actually took the cruiser to a TJM dealer who has tonnes of experience setting up tow vehicles and he went over the car and advised me that there is NO need for WDH. With my mods it will be fine. WDH are more designed for not so heavy duty tugs. He seemed to think that it is a good think to have a pivet point in the middle as long as it sits level. He said that with the added ESC on the van I will be fine. So I have now getting a drop hitch and shank to drop the bar by around 100mm and level up with the bags (guessing that I will need around 12psi). I had a good day today and picked up a brand new of side steps for $80!!! fitted them already and they look awesome - other ones were beaten up a bit!!!

Cheers!!! And thanks again.

 

[cruza driver]

Good result @Matt'N'nic let us know if it tows differently with the new hitch.

I fixed your title too

 

[Matt'N'nic]

Good result @Matt'N'nic let us know if it tows differently with the new hitch.

I fixed your title too

Thanks for editing the title. Felt like a dil!! I couldn't edit it?? Is that normal?

I keep everyone updated!! My bro in law will tow next for Aussie day as I work a bit OS and will be away!!
Take care and thanks again. Love
This forum!!

 

[Matt'N'nic]

Drop hitch fitted - dropped by around 70mm and it sits perfectly. The van is 50mm higher at the front unloaded - once loaded it will be perfect. Put 26psi in the bags and it dropped the back of the car by 13mm both sides and picked the front up by about 10mm. Towed very nicely (only a short test tow). Happy now!!! Thanks again for your help folks!!! Matt & Nic.

 

[achjimmy]

Hey @Matt'N'nic good stuff. If it doesn't dip and tows alright that's great. Weight distribution hitches are great things and do a purpose well, just not everybody needs them.

I would be more concerned with making sure your not overloaded on the cruiser, maybe look at a GVM upgrade? As all thoses accessories weigh a heap.

 

[Matt'N'nic]

Hey @Matt'N'nic good stuff. If it doesn't dip and tows alright that's great. Weight distribution hitches are great things and do a purpose well, just not everybody needs them.

I would be more concerned with making sure your not overloaded on the cruiser, maybe look at a GVM upgrade? As all thoses accessories weigh a heap.

G'day @achjimmy,
The suspension has been upgraded already to 3,580 kegs to cope with mods. Thanks for you comments and concerns. Also just had my Long service granted so we are very excited and starting to plan a half lap leaving 1st week of August!!! Can't wait.

 

[Bellbirdweb]

Hi there @Matt'N'nic, I have a 100 Series LC with a very similar accessory list to your 200 and towing a 21.64-1 OB.

The cruiser has upgraded suspension and polyyair bags.

I don't have a WDH, and have just returned from a 5000k trip.

Overall I have found this setup tows well and sits nice and level.

The steering is a little light, but not so light as to feel dangerous.

The van is also fitted with ESC.

Sounds like a great trip in the planning !

 

[Matt'N'nic]

Hi there @Matt'N'nic, I have a 100 Series LC with a very similar accessory list to your 200 and towing a 21.64-1 OB.

The cruiser has upgraded suspension and polyyair bags.

I don't have a WDH, and have just returned from a 5000k trip.

Overall I have found this setup tows well and sits nice and level.

The steering is a little light, but not so light as to feel dangerous.

The van is also fitted with ESC.

Sounds like a great trip in the planning !

Thanks @Bellbirdweb. Installs further confidence in my set up. Still haven't taking it on a trip since new set up. Taking it on a 1000km trip in a few weeks then the big half lap - around 13000kms. Can't wait. . Thanks again.

 

[Matty4]

The steering is a little light, but not so light as to feel dangerous.

A WDH will fix that.