Towing TVAN

[HomeBrand]

Hi all, I recently hired a TVAN with a view to buying one. My question centres around the towing height of the tow ball on my Ranger Raptor ute. I don't have a picture of the towed TVAN and my ute together, but there was a reasonable sag on my ute and the "angle" of the TVAN itself where it hitched to my ute was also sagged. The coupling from the TVAN was rubbing against the hitch of my car, and I am wondering what the solution would be for this. Would I need to get an adjustable hitch for my ute so that the tow ball sits higher, therefore levelling out the ute / TVAN combination? Or any other suggestions to solve.
I cant attach a photo as it is too big for the server, but there was slight rubbing on the "face" of the hitch behind the tow ball
Also, what is the ideal height at which the TVAN should couple with my ute? Or is there a range of heights which are acceptable?

[luke]

A photo would help, but if the vehicle is sagging and you want to level the tvan then changing the tow tongue is a cheap and easy option.

Prior to finding a suitable tongue, first make sure everything is loaded for a typical trip, including any suspension work (air bags, coils, etc) you plan on getting done.

You can either load up and drive to a local shop (Hayman reese, ARB, TJM, OL, etc) and go for a trial and error approach, or measure both the distance (ground to drawbar) when connected and sagging, vs jockey wheel and level. (difference is the tongue rise/drop).

For as little as ~$80, I just bought the correct offset tongue and fitted the DO35 pin.  That way it stays dedicated to the tvan and is always good to go, and the factory tongue has the standard ball for everything else.

Examples:

• 50mm drop
• 82mm drop
• 102mm drop

(Plenty of options available)

You mentioned it's already rubbing on the face, so you can change to the 45deg style hitch at the same time to help with the clearance.

[Gumb]

I don't like adjustable hitches, mainly becasue of the weight. The Tvan has a higher point due to it's high ground clearance and I use a tow tongue like the one pictured above except that I have it the other way up, which levels the Tvan prefectly and makes an over night stop simple beacaue I don't need to unhitch. The downside is clearance of the hitch when opening the back door of the Pajero, a problem utes don't have.

The height to get my Tvan level is 52cm from ground to the top of the tow bar plate.

Do you use a towball or a DO35 hitch ?

PS. You can post a photo if you reduce the size.

[HomeBrand]

I use a tow ball hitch.

[HomeBrand]

A photo would help, but if the vehicle is sagging and you want to level the tvan then changing the tow tongue is a cheap and easy option.

Prior to finding a suitable tongue, first make sure everything is loaded for a typical trip, including any suspension work (air bags, coils, etc) you plan on getting done.

You can either load up and drive to a local shop (Hayman reese, ARB, TJM, OL, etc) and go for a trial and error approach, or measure both the distance (ground to drawbar) when connected and sagging, vs jockey wheel and level. (difference is the tongue rise/drop).

For as little as ~$80, I just bought the correct offset tongue and fitted the DO35 pin.  That way it stays dedicated to the tvan and is always good to go, and the factory tongue has the standard ball for everything else.

Examples:

• 50mm drop
• 82mm drop
• 102mm drop

(Plenty of options available)

You mentioned it's already rubbing on the face, so you can change to the 45deg style hitch at the same time to help with the clearance.

Yes thanks for this information. I'll have a think about it and go check out some options, but it wont be with it hooked up to van. Thanks again.

[HomeBrand]

I don't like adjustable hitches, mainly becasue of the weight. The Tvan has a higher point due to it's high ground clearance and I use a tow tongue like the one pictured above except that I have it the other way up, which levels the Tvan prefectly and makes an over night stop simple beacaue I don't need to unhitch. The downside is clearance of the hitch when opening the back door of the Pajero, a problem utes don't have.

The height to get my Tvan level is 52cm from ground to the top of the tow bar plate.

Do you use a towball or a DO35 hitch ?

PS. You can post a photo if you reduce the size.

I think the 52cms height was what I am after. I think I'll need a tow ball which is 2" higher. I'll have a look around and see my options. It must be rated to 2.5T as that is what my ute is capable of. Thanks

[Ray]

the original post may have suggested the ute was sagging as well, in that case upgraded springs and or an airbag addition ( I think the Raptor has coil springs on the rear) would be important to level the ute then adjust hitch to suit Tvan

[HomeBrand]

the original post may have suggested the ute was sagging as well, in that case upgraded springs and or an airbag addition ( I think the Raptor has coil springs on the rear) would be important to level the ute then adjust hitch to suit Tvan

Fair point there. Am considering airbags as well.

[Gumb]

Upgraded springs are a far better solution than air bags.

[Phil G]

" It must be rated to 2.5T as that is what my ute is capable of. "
Sounds like your Ranger ute is the very early model.  Definitely don't use airbags on the rear leaf springs - you'll get a bent chassis.
Secondly check your Tvan's ball weight.
Sounds like you need stronger rear springs,  but it the problem was just at the hitch, many square hitches can simply be inverted.

[robstevens]

The Ranger Raptor has a 3500kg towing capacity, so not sure what is meant by the 2.5T limit applying to the tow ball?

[themanmikee]

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