Brand new swan. Nasty to tow.

[dtickell]

Hi I finally took delivery of my 2011 jayco swan on Thursday. We packed it up and headed to rosebud on Friday morning.

I have one major issue in that it's really unpleasant to tow.  I understand that my navara is more than capable of pulling it along and is not short of guts to do so but the whole time it's jerking forwarded and backwards (as opposed topside to side) I'm the first to admit im new to towing but this motion had the kids and miss us looking a little green around the gills and nothing I did I.e slower acceleration etc made any difference.

Any advice?

Daniel

[gibbo301]

Make sure there is not to mutch play in your towball or gooseneck

[jeeps]

Or too much or too little drawbar weight.

[JCAT]

Doesn't sound right.
I have had two Swans and never had an issue like that.
Check out what the boys have already suggested above.
Maybe check the electric brakes aren't set too hard.

[D4D]

Is this when constant speed or slowing/accelerating? Are your camper brakes working?

[markymark]

It sounds like there's too much weight towards the back of the trailer axle. Is the water tank at the back of the trailer and have you packed heavy items towards the back? If so, it's just a matter of packing the van to balance the load.

Mark.

[oldblade]

That's why I got the trigg hitch
Even my standard trailer jerks like that on the tow ball but the trigg is quiet and smooth due to being rubber
Thayer say they are hard to hook up but using a reverse camera it's easy


I'd be looking at a different hitch

[GSK33]

It sounds like there's too much weight towards the back of the trailer axle. Is the water tank at the back of the trailer and have you packed heavy items towards the back? If so, it's just a matter of packing the van to balance the load.

Mark.

That's what it sounds like to me also. Not enough weight on the tow ball.

[2 Brutal]

Like has been said, I'd be looking at how the weight is distributed between ute and trailer, if your ute is empty, load about 150-200kg's in it, use water drum, bags cement etc to simulate weight and see if it helps.
What are your tyre pressures also.

[morgue]

All replies are pretty much on the mark...weight and balance problem with maybe a touch of tow hitch play.

[oldblade]

I tow ours with a hilux no issues
But I have a steel canopy 40l water tank in the back and a draw system and a full fridge so weight in the back may be helping me

[Blueboy]

I had the same problem with my previous car towing a pop top van. 4 new shocks, no more problems

[dsajfar]

I als just took delivery of a brand new 2011 Outback Swan, took it to the Murray 600KM all up and its a real pleasure to tow with my 2008 D4D Prado, no problems at all.

[mcbadger2]

seriously guys, all this talk about new swans but no pictures to prove it!!!

[dtickell]

Sorry can't do pics right now. Thanks for the tips. Interesting the more I think about it, I realized this was happening when i picked it up, so load me or may not factor. Most of the weight was towards the front, with the heaviest stuff over the axle, and the water tank empty. It seems to occur at all speeds buts more noticeable at slower speeds.

Aside from towing nasty the whole family are loving our new camper

[D4D]

I als just took delivery of a brand new 2011 Outback Swan, took it to the Murray 600KM all up and its a real pleasure to tow with my 2008 D4D Prado, no problems at all.

and because he is so slack to post pics here they are, including a 'unique' mod  (sorry for the hijack)

[Wandering Tassie]

Does it have override or electric brakes. If it is override it could be the movement you get when applying the brakes.

Trevor

[flamingo]

Gday Looks great! What is the mod for? As for the bad handling ide say weight distribution. Have you loaded the rear of the camper and nothing on the ball? Phil

[mcbadger2]

Gday Looks great! What is the mod for? As for the bad handling ide say weight distribution. Have you loaded the rear of the camper and nothing on the ball? Phil

That looks like a great place for pole storage??
Also if you get a chance would love to know how wide the bagged awning is. I have mine on order and am thinking it is 3.6 m wide.

Looks great; congratulations.

Mark

[Slipus]

Thought it may be hose storage myself

[Johnno convert]

Check the ball weight to start off with and that will give you an indication of where your weight is and moreover should be. Tyre pressures IMHO should be up to max for hwy travel.

[Johnno convert]

Does it have override or electric brakes. If it is override it could be the movement you get when applying the brakes.

Trevor

Good thought Trev. Our GRP boat had overrides and did that a fair bit. I just assumed in this day and age that they would be electrics on a new CT

[mcbadger2]

Does it have override or electric brakes. If it is override it could be the movement you get when applying the brakes.

Trevor

Electric brakes on the jayco's

[Johnno convert]

I guess that counts that one out then. Try the ball weight and take it from there

[mcbadger2]

When i first got my lifestyle trailer the movement from the hitch was unbelievable. A real jerking movement. This would happen at low and high speeds and whenever I went over any bumps.
It had nothing to do with the trailer or the load set up. The amount of play in the hitch was incredible. I had the local towbar mob put a bolt in to stop any movement and it worked a treat. No jerking at all.
This could be an option or rock tamers sell a hitch lock system that eliminates the movement.

Mark