Tried to tow for the first time!!

[VOLVO TEE5]

Just had a go at towing for the first time!! well tried too the caravan was bogged down in the mud so i couldnt tow it anywhere!!, the s60 just span on forwards movement, i tried to reverse it and it seem to just sort of bannana the car/caravan and hitch, and not move, quick question here, this wouldn't have damaged / bent anything with me trying to reverse it and it not moving would it??

thanks for the help.

[4wheeldriver]

It shouldnt have. the movement should have all bin around the tow ball!!

[VOLVO TEE5]

Thanks,
Was also just wondering just before the caravan hitch there is what looks like a rubber boot what would cover a c.v boot is there some sort of shock absorber in here to take the initial load of pulling power?? just im very new to caravanning so im sorry if this question is simple.

Thank You

[NI_Volvo_Nut]

The hitch on a caravan is like a sliding ram to operate the brakes, weight of the caravan pushes against the car and applies the brakes, the boot is just a dust cover to portect it from water / dirt ect, you'll probably find greese nipples front and rear of the main housing of the ram.

Btw, a proper RWD Volvo would have towed that out for ya

[pdr944]

Originally Posted by VOLVO TEE5

Thanks,
Was also just wondering just before the caravan hitch there is what looks like a rubber boot what would cover a c.v boot is there some sort of shock absorber in here to take the initial load of pulling power?? just im very new to caravanning so im sorry if this question is simple.

Thank You

hi,
welcome to caravanning.if you need any advice or help dont hesitate to contact me.going into my 30th year of vanning with 9 different volvo,s so have managed to learn a little bit about it.there,s always plenty of help on this forum.

all the best peter.

[VOLVO TEE5]

Thank you all kindly for your help, I thought that this seemed like some sort of mechanims as when I was trying to pull it forwards and back there was what seemed like 'some play' in this area.

[Mike B]

Hi
I have been a caravaner for 40+ years started in 1965 with an 1951 Austin A40 Devon had it 30 years + an Berkley Argosy 11ft caravan 1954 vintage 18cwt and very stable. last 22years towed with Volvos 81 245 72 164 and now a 740GLE .Well back to the plot when you tried to reverse you say it was banana
like could this be because the auto reverse mec on the caravan diddent work [ because if it did not the brakes would have been solid , and the rear of the car and front of the caravan would rear up. and yes you would go nowhere.
You dont say the year and make of Van.
Regards
Mike Byrne

[JimDay]

Sounds like you need to get yourself some grip/tread mate to put under the drive wheels failing this try to get the car & van rocking back & forward by driving forward then dip the clutch & let it roll back then forward again, if you can't get any grip mats (try www.towsure.com) then some old sacks or old bits of carpet to put under the drive wheels to stop the wheels from spinning

[outnumbered]

Originally Posted by VOLVO TEE5

Just had a go at towing for the first time!! well tried too the caravan was bogged down in the mud so i couldnt tow it anywhere!!, the s60 just span on forwards movement, i tried to reverse it and it seem to just sort of bannana the car/caravan and hitch, and not move, quick question here, this wouldn't have damaged / bent anything with me trying to reverse it and it not moving would it??

thanks for the help.

buy a mover saves all the hassle and good fun too..
mike

[avtur]

Originally Posted by outnumbered

buy a mover saves all the hassle and good fun too..
mike

Here, here, movers are great bits of kit. If you take a look on any caravan forums you'll find they come as one of the most highly rated bits kit you an buy for a van.

Would also second the recommendation for grip mats, I'm OK at present as I tow with 4WD, but I'm soon to revert to 2WD (possibly a V50) so I'm sure I'll have to dig the grip mats out !