Towing With The Grenadier

[rovie]

That was my opinion and have owned numerous IWT over many decades. Now I'm not so sure and my next trailers will be "Nugent" trailers, seem better built. They make other farm equipment as well. Made in Northern Ireland not sure if they are available in the EU.

I haven't heard of Nugent yet.
However, I haven't looked into it recently.

I also thought the Rice trailers at the time were great. I once saw an old one in the Cotswolds and I'm still annoyed that I didn't ask if I could buy it back then.

 

[Tom D]

Brian James are good. I have several.

 

[Logsplitter]

A lot of UK based trailers end up on the Emerald Island eventually! Full circle.

Is that the stolen ones

 

[Eric]

Is that the stolen ones

Yes, in the same HGVs as the rollers, excavators and every other type of construction plant.

 

[birdogs]

Picking up from dealer

Is it better to tie from the hooks as you’ve done or the wheels down? I’m no expert on this just curious !

 

[Rab]

Yes, in the same HGVs as the rollers, excavators and every other type of construction plant.

Ours get stolen from N. Ireland on a Friday night and are located working in London by Sunday morning, two way traffic.

 

[SUBVET735705769]

Is it better to tie from the hooks as you’ve done or the wheels down? I’m no expert on this just curious !

Definitely securing by wheels/axles is preferred method to allow vehicle suspension to work like normal going down the road. Because the Ineos has axles, I only brought axles straps to the dealer, but did not forsee the lack of clean access to wrap around the axle. Seemed like there was interference of some kind no matter what I tried. So, I just went with the hooks. Not far to go and all highway. I didnt want to get a temp plate in NH to drive it off the lot in Mass, so towed it home and picked up a permanent plate the next day.

 

[birdogs]

Definitely securing by wheels/axles is preferred method to allow vehicle suspension to work like normal going down the road. Because the Ineos has axles, I only brought axles straps to the dealer, but did not forsee the lack of clean access to wrap around the axle. Seemed like there was interference of some kind no matter what I tried. So, I just went with the hooks. Not far to go and all highway. I didnt want to get a temp plate in NH to drive it off the lot in Mass, so towed it home and picked up a permanent plate the next day.

That makes sense. Thanks!

I was going to lasso the wheels but my 8’ straps were not long enough so I ended up having to go through the wheels to strap down.

 

[Tom D]

Ours get stolen from N. Ireland on a Friday night and are located working in London by Sunday morning, two way traffic.

Yes they don't all go to Ireland. A firm round here had a 13 tonner stolen, months later one of the staff was on holiday in Dubai, and there it was on a building site, still had the sign writing on it.... There's some crooked dealers and exporters for sure..

 

[Squizz]

I'll be doing nearly the same thing as you Wombat51. We picked up a Conqueror UEV 14 just yesterday. The tare weight is 2250kg. ATM of 2800 and a supposed ball weight of 260kg. However, Grenadier sure did squat when it was loaded onto the drawbar. Of course the front end lifted as well. Is this something I should be concerned about? Do I need to get stiffer springs installed? The caravan dealer said I might need to do something with the suspension to level it out. I'm even more concerned because I'm having a 68 litre reserve fuel tank fitted on Monday, which is going to drag the back end down even lower.

I'll probably get the thing weighed but something tells me the ball weight of 260kg might not be entirely true. And that's with nothing loaded into the camper trailer. Most of the storage is up front, which is going to put even more weight on the hitch. *sigh*. Nothing is ever straight forward.

 

[Max]

The caravan dealer said I might need to do something with the suspension to level it out.

Your caravan dealer should know what you need unless he or she is young or just not experienced enough. Read through this Thread or other towing threads for ideas. Some people will say yes to beefing up the springs and others will suggest Air Bags. It depends on usage. So regular towing for work on a daily basis, springs but for the weekend every now and then Air Bags would work. I would research and contact the pros and one I would recommend would be Expedition HQ just to chat to so you can understand enough to make up your own mind...it is all part of the adventure

 

[MattA]

I'll be doing nearly the same thing as you Wombat51. We picked up a Conqueror UEV 14 just yesterday. The tare weight is 2250kg. ATM of 2800 and a supposed ball weight of 260kg. However, Grenadier sure did squat when it was loaded onto the drawbar. Of course the front end lifted as well. Is this something I should be concerned about? Do I need to get stiffer springs installed? The caravan dealer said I might need to do something with the suspension to level it out. I'm even more concerned because I'm having a 68 litre reserve fuel tank fitted on Monday, which is going to drag the back end down even lower.

I'll probably get the thing weighed but something tells me the ball weight of 260kg might not be entirely true. And that's with nothing loaded into the camper trailer. Most of the storage is up front, which is going to put even more weight on the hitch. *sigh*. Nothing is ever straight forward.

The first step is to get everything weighed, the ball weight can be much higher than expected
The main concern when the rear drops is the lack of braking and traction on the front caused by the weight transfer, if the rear drops say 2 inches and the front comes up a inch or two it takes 100-300 kg of the front axle and puts it on the rear which in tern overloads the rear which can make it illegal as well as unsafe
The fix varies for everyone depending on use and load requirements

 

[bakepl]

I'll be doing nearly the same thing as you Wombat51. We picked up a Conqueror UEV 14 just yesterday. The tare weight is 2250kg. ATM of 2800 and a supposed ball weight of 260kg. However, Grenadier sure did squat when it was loaded onto the drawbar. Of course the front end lifted as well. Is this something I should be concerned about? Do I need to get stiffer springs installed? The caravan dealer said I might need to do something with the suspension to level it out. I'm even more concerned because I'm having a 68 litre reserve fuel tank fitted on Monday, which is going to drag the back end down even lower.

I'll probably get the thing weighed but something tells me the ball weight of 260kg might not be entirely true. And that's with nothing loaded into the camper trailer. Most of the storage is up front, which is going to put even more weight on the hitch. *sigh*. Nothing is ever straight forward.

Perhaps speak with Ric at Expedition HQ. My GVM is 3550kg towing 3100 van, 280 ball. Ric installed the Eibach 3800 gvm upgrade springs but have since upgraded the rear to his Eibach heavy duty black springs as the former were a little soft under load for my liking. Have just completed the Darling River run with this set up and works well with van on and off. i.e. not too stiff in rear without van hitched. Have had airbags fail in the past but may suit others and their set up.

 

[Squizz]

Perhaps speak with Ric at Expedition HQ. My GVM is 3550kg towing 3100 van, 280 ball. Ric installed the Eibach 3800 gvm upgrade springs but have since upgraded the rear to his Eibach heavy duty black springs as the former were a little soft under load for my liking. Have just completed the Darling River run with this set up and works well with van on and off. i.e. not too stiff in rear without van hitched. Have had airbags fail in the past but may suit others and their set up.

I've kicked off an email to Expedition HQ. Those guys are very good. Adam has been the best helping me with mods. I ordered a set of those ridiculously expensive King shocks. The local shop wanted $1200 to install them so I did it myself. I had to buy a floor jack and ugga dugga gun but it still worked out cheaper to do it myself. It's helped me learn more about the Grenadier. I feel like I know it a bit better, like we're partners in this adventure. I also get some new tools! ha!

 

[Baron von Teuchter]

I haven't heard of Nugent yet.
However, I haven't looked into it recently.

I also thought the Rice trailers at the time were great. I once saw an old one in the Cotswolds and I'm still annoyed that I didn't ask if I could buy it back then.

Nugent are excellent. I have a 16’ IFW and a 12’ Nugent, Ifor have always been decent but Nugent is definitely more solid. A little bit more expensive I think like for like when new but broadly similar second hand, perhaps even slightly cheaper - there’s an Ifor tax