HAVAGO

Our van was 8 years old not sure how many klms, I know on fourth set of tyres. Had suspension serviced at Kedron approx 18 months ago and total cost was $440.00 minimal parts required. Dont know if anyone else can relate to this. Cheers and Safe Travels.

Just wondering has anyone had an occasion when they found water getting into the front boot. i opened the boot a day after the biggest downpour ever only to find water in the boot, yet I cannot see where it got in.

Yes Danny fully understand the size of the Air Safe Hitch is a negative in that regard Go to the Shocker Hitch I would advise as mentioned hook up a remote air system with gauge inside cab as I did and you can adjust as needed when required for different road conditions. Also as I mentioned make something to safeguard the airline at the bottom of the hitch. Cheers Safe Travels Greg aka Havago

Hello Danny and Sue, We have used both hitches with our F250 and Van combination. The Shocker Hitch is a good hitch and was used with no issues, you need to have the ability to lower or raise the bag pressure whilst travelling to get the best out of the hitch action. I do know of some who have the Shocker Hitch have broken the airline off the bottom of the Hitch which in my opinion is a concern and needs a protection plate. The Air Safe Hitches are superior due to the fact of the shock absorbers making a major difference to the ride of the towing vehicle and supporting your van. The Air Safe is more expensive and quite bulky and protrudes out from the tow vehicle by 380mm from the receiver to the tow point. Having used both Hitches over many miles and different terrain even considering Price and the Protusion I will never go back to a Shocker Hitch Very happy with the effectiveness and overall operation of the Air Safe Hitch. Cheers and Safe Travels

What you said above, So very true. Job completed. Thanks again Barry. Cheers Greg

Hello Barry, Very much appreciated, I didn't see that little slot in the rear. Too busy trying to get the front cover of the bulb. I appreciate your response and will follow your advice to the letter. All good now thanks kindly. Regards Greg

Hello Merv, Yes the one beside the beds we turned the front plastic black covers and it came off exposing the bulb which easily pulled out, two pin globe. The ones above the seating I cant get the front off, tried turning left and right slightly pushing in and to no avail. I appreciate your response. Greg

Hello Merv, Yes the one beside the beds we turned the front plastic black covers and it came off exposing the bulb which easily pulled out, two pin globe. The ones above the seating I cant get the front off, tried turning left and right slightly pushing in and to no avail. I am obviously missing something, probably so simple once realised LOL I appreciate your response. Greg

Sorry i did add picture but for some reason not showing. Will try again. The lights are above the seating area.

Can anyone shed some light on how to remove these bulbs please. Thanks in advance for assistance.

First question I should have asked has it always did it from day one? Does it continue to slip for a while or takes up straight away. With the exhaust and intake upgrade and the chip it would have increased the torque significantly Gary after assessing all the information you provided, viewing your revs and speed in fifth gear, tyre size etc I will have to agree with your mechanic, unfortunately on a steep incline you will have to use a lower range because your diff ratios are already quite low and would not acheive good results lowering further being fuel economy etc. The Nissan Navara has a similar problem with first gear ratios, First high is too high too lift off with a maximum load. Example Trying to lift off a boat ramp with a larger boat behind coming out of the water. This is where automatic transmissions excel, torque convertor takes all the slippage and on a short burst like lift off it does no harm. Check what gearbox you have I am sure you will find it is the R151F box which has a higher first gear ratio than the H150F gearbox. Sorry not the answer you were looking, I dont believe you have a mechanical problem. Keep safe ??

The clutch you are using is a very good choice, ideal for towing. First question I should have asked has it always did it from day one? Does it continue to slip for a while or takes up straight away. With the exhaust and intake upgrade and the chip it would have increased the torque significantly therefore possibly enough to create the problem on lift off on a grade. Gary have you tried setting the chip back to standard ? I would try that first. Some toyota owners after upgrading and chipping have experienced clutch slippage in higher gears, have you noticed anything up higher ? Have you fitted a larger circumference 4x4 tyre to your tow vehicle, with a high first gear and and the extra torque a slight increase in final drive ratio can also create this issue. What revs are you doing at 100 kph, thinking about ratios and tyres etc.

I dont understand the comment "bloody awful what people do with a ute because it says. 3500 kg towing" No matter what type of vehicle if it is plated at 3500 kg, the manufacturer is stating that vehicle as it sits is safe to tow 3500 kg. Am I missing something, happy to listen and learn. Safe travels

Gary when you say clutch slips is this because you can smell it or motor revs up and vehicle speed does not increase. Do you know what brand your heavy duty clutch is, also compound your clutch is? Being upgraded exhaust and chipped does it slip in higher gears, or can you make it slip ?

Main Roads Enforcements is only a minor annoyance compared to the next step. When Insurance companies realise they will reneg on a lot of claims due to illegal towing. I have tried for many years to assist, but unfortunately some dont want to know the facts. The worst of it all is Caravan Manufacturers are not held under any Chain of Responsibility. Safe travels to all.

You have not read my post properly and understood, this is the problem when people do not understand. your van can be 3700 kg while parked no one is going to book you. when you hook up to your tug and shift the 200 kg or more you van becomes quite legal, and as I have stated in my post it is combination of both with weight transfer. Merv our van weighs 4.1 tonne fully loaded with 400 kg on the McHitch and trust me fully legal when running down the road. We have been intercepted by Transport Enforcement in two different states and complimented on knowing our correct weights and having weights correctly dispersed. Safe travels.

We have a 23 foot internal measurement van with extended draw bar being towed by a dual cab long wheel base F250 and have only once on all our trips had issues parking and that was in Alice Springs Van Park that was totally booked out at the time, having said that we got it in there to everyones amazement. No where else in our travels have we had issues accessing sites in all states including Tasmania. To date Western Australia still on wish list. I am talking National Parks and Off road camping, we are not caravan park people. Safe travels Jaap.??

This may assist some or add to the confusion and myths as some believe. http://rvdaily.com.au/issue001/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=The+Big+3%2C500kg+Braked+Towing+Rip-Off&utm_campaign=RV+Daily+-+Send+004#223

It can be very daunting making these decisions with so much information which is not always entirely correct. i am very happy to assist any genuine people with their weights and measure, give me a call on 0428676374 and i will assist. Regards Greg

Merv I am explaining for some who will misunderstand, if they load there car and van and drive to the weighbridge and weigh the unit complete hooked up they need to come in at no more than the GCM of the tow vehicle in this example we are saying 6.8 tonnes. They then need to drive forward to remove the tow vehicle from the weighbridge leaving only the van wheels on the bridge drop the drawbar jack and just lift the weight of the towball, in this example if you have 200 kg transferred to the tow vehicle drawbar weight your van will be 3.7 tonne. A van with a plated GVM of 3.5 tonne, the GVM only comes into play if being towed, parked unhooked that van can be 3.7 tonne because you are no longer transferring the weight and your tug now weighs 3.1 tonne not the 3.3 when hooked up. They then know how to load the van and tow vehicle for ongoing trips and satisfied if apprehended they are totally legal weight distribution wise and no issues with insurance should they unfortunately have an accident. Combination Mass not to exceed based on this knowledge 6.8 tonnes Vehicle sitting unhooked weighs example 3.1 tonne Van weighs loaded 3.7 tonne If your ball weight comes in at 200kg you are perfectly legal Cheers

Just a couple of points of interest Gary, Dept of Transport Enforcements have always had the power to book Van owners and have not ever needed traffic branch to look over their shoulder. You are getting confused as most between tare weight and Gross Vehicle Mass, two entirely different measures. Tow Vehicle has GVM of 3.3 tonne what is tare of your vehicle, tare plus load with van attached not to exceed 3.3 tonne Van has GVM of 3.5 tonne what is tare of your van, tare plus load on the back of vehicle not exceed 3.5 tonne Gross Combination Mass not to exceed based on this knowledge 6.8 tonnes Vehicle sitting unhooked weighs example 3.1 tonne Van weighs loaded 3.7 tonne If your ball weight comes in at 200kg you are perfectly legal Happy travels

All vans unless upgraded are plated GVM = 3.5 tonne Gross Vehicle Mass means weight of van and loading not to exceed 3.5 tonne. if your van weighs 2.7 tonne you can legally tow it with any vehicle with a 2800 kg towing capacity so long as you dont exceed the GCM. People who continue to give wrong advice such as this above, annoy me. Get your facts straight before offering advice to some innocent party and causing them grief

There is absolutely no comparison in the two, Grant n Carol preffered should not even come into it. if you go with anything but the McHitch you are not making a sensible decision or choice. It is the only truly safe dependable hitch to connect both your prized possessions together and know you have peace of mind.

Well Danno theres your answer, you cannot be informative in any way shape or form if it contains the truth. This will more than likely be removed as being negative. Yes we designed our own Kedron and had it built and was congratulated by Barry the dad for our design, when it as shown in the Brisbane Caravan Show off 2009.

Very good question ?? Can't wait to hear responses, truth or fiction.