Very interesting for those not in the know. Now Los, I have just recently come across you Los and Coco's video. Well I've always admired your abilities with towing the caravan, but now I'm really in awe of what you've achieved on your own. You go girl! And oh the skill lifting the latch on your on-site door from the inside. Loved your reaction mate😂. Keep up with your great episodes. I look forward to them every week ❤
Our new custom manufactured van never seemed to tow well. After a few shake down trips and 1000 + k's, we got a wheel alignment done. The front passenger side wheel was out by heaps, like yours. Other wheels needed slight adjustment, too. The van tows great now. Thanks guys for this informative video.
Great video guys as always! but, but, but where was Coco? PSA: For those who don't know (and wish to doubt him) Leon has been a qualified mechanic for over 15 years (he is also a Boeing Aircraft Technician). He is VERY smart, highly trained AND best of all passionate and dedicated to helping people tow safely.
Good video! @14:20 you mentioned that having the rear of the car up would transfer more weight to the front wheels / axle. I may be wrong here, but my understanding is that with a tandem axle trailer / van, if the front of the van / hitch is lifted up, more weight is transferred down onto the receiver. With the rear suspension now having airbags, articulation / up down movements, between the van and car are not being absorbed by the suspension by itself as it was engineered to do. The rear suspension travel is restricted, and acting like a pivot, which would actually reduce weight over the front axles, because the rear suspension cant compress as easily. Again I may be wrong and happy for it to be explained to me! Good luck with the travels!!
Top video. In just 30 minutes I learnt heaps about airbags & more importantly wheel alignments. It was very refreshing to have Leon describe in detail what he was doing with the cruiser and van in terms that a layman could understand. Keep these informative videos coming.
Nice, you may even save a tiny bit of fuel with the wheels running true. What's the go with all southern crosses on your chassis. Upside down on drivers side and the back the front on passangers side. 🤔
Good vid. One thing to consider - the valves to fill the airbags are best mounted on the side opposite the exhaust - for the LC300, on the right. I made this mistake when fitting to a Patrol and had to endure sucking in exhaust fumes when adding air as the engine has to be running to operate the compressor.
Thank you 👍. good point, although we don't require the car to be running for the compressor to operate. Our compressor is hooked up to the secondary battery
That’s an awesome Episode We have Leon booked in for tomorrow to do the weights on the caravan and car and now definitely a wheel alignment. Thanks Laura and Troy for the recommendation of Safe To Tow.
Yes, sorry, l had a bit of a rant on the Lovells hitch after it broke on us just before Xmas. We had to empty the van and water and put the DO45 back on so we could go away. Lovells replaced the hitch after the Xmas break. reluctantly, it's back on for our SA trip
Just wondering is it is a D035 or 45 and what weights are you at We watched your episode on your van being weighed, and you were a tad under 3.8 tone without food or clothes . We had ours weighed, and we are 3.9 tonne and the same upgrade and same lovells hitch. How do get away with a non lovells hitch Curious as our engineering stipulates lovells hitch 🤔🤔🤔
Great question. We don't get away with towing at 3.8 ton with the DO45 hitch. when we collected the van, the van was empty and under 3.5 ton, hence why we used the DO45 at that time.
@JourneyUnknown are using the D045, or are you back to lovells Hitch at present as lots of mixed signals . We do love watching but just confused with the different hitches.
@christinelillie8422 Our Lovells hitch broke before Christmas. We unloaded the van and water to be under 3.5. towing. put the DO45 on for Tocumwal. Lovells have since replaced the hitch, which we have back on.
@@JourneyUnknown sorry... does the GVM and BTC upgrade remains Compliant with the airbags? Also what broke on the Lovells hitch? (just bought one) Can we prevent that?
@gregpenhaligon7859 Yes, the airbags don't interfere with the upgrade. A clip in the Lovells hitch cap broke. They said it wasn't common and nothing has been changed in the hitch. time will tell 🤔
Hang on. You just paid good money to the manufacturer and then you have to pay another business to correct the alignment that should have been perfect from the manufacturer.
First of all why are you paying ol mate to fix a problem that the manufacturer of the caravan should be fixing and secondly check that your gvm upgrade is now legal now you have fitted airbags , when you had your gvm upgrade done no airbags on the vehicle now you have added might be a different story .
Firstly, GA were on their Christmas shutdown. We were heading away for a 3500k trip. Secondly, your caravan should have a wheel alignment after its first 1000ks. And don't stress. Our GVM is still valid. thank you so much for your concerns 🙏
I am curious why you would need airbags after having the Lovells BTC Upgrade fitted and how that impacts the Lovells system? I also wonder why Lovells don’t offer airbags? The answer to both questions is that you are not using the Lovells system correctly. Such a waste of time and money!
@ haha. You don’t need airbags with the Lovells Upgrade. I have the same as you. Air bags upset the system whereas you should be using the WDH to stay complaint. Get Lovells to explain it to you.
You’ve just wiped your GVM upgrade it’s engineered without airbags which isn’t part of gvm making your GVM upgrade no longer legal you cannot change anything
@ I now fit gvm upgrades and if change anything even adding airbags it is not was in the vehicle when engineered and needs to be done again. I’m a qualified diesel mechanic your not and every single kit I fit needs be signed by me. Lastly your doesn’t even have the spring mount bracing kit which is required for a GVM upgrade and rear diff bracing
@ourredaustralia3557 l never said l was a diesel mechanic. although Leon is for the past 15 years. plus, he's a bowing aircraft technician. We put our trust in him and his knowledge.
Thanks for sharing the installation of the air bags, and caravan wheel alignment. Very informative
Thanks so much for watching and commenting 🙏
Very interesting for those not in the know. Now Los, I have just recently come across you Los and Coco's video. Well I've always admired your abilities with towing the caravan, but now I'm really in awe of what you've achieved on your own. You go girl! And oh the skill lifting the latch on your on-site door from the inside. Loved your reaction mate😂. Keep up with your great episodes. I look forward to them every week ❤
Ensuite!
Awww, thank you so much. it is lovely to hear you're enjoying our episodes ❤️
A very interesting video, thank you for posting it.
Thank you so much 🙏
Our new custom manufactured van never seemed to tow well. After a few shake down trips and 1000 + k's, we got a wheel alignment done. The front passenger side wheel was out by heaps, like yours. Other wheels needed slight adjustment, too. The van tows great now. Thanks guys for this informative video.
Yeah, it makes sense it doesn't take much to be out for your van to not tow right. It's great that you got it sorted 👍
Sounds like everyone needs a Leon in their shed. Well done, what a great bloke.
😄. that would be very handy 👍
Great video guys as always! but, but, but where was Coco?
PSA: For those who don't know (and wish to doubt him) Leon has been a qualified mechanic for over 15 years (he is also a Boeing Aircraft Technician). He is VERY smart, highly trained AND best of all passionate and dedicated to helping people tow safely.
Thanks Jess 😍. I think she was fast asleep 🐕. Omg he is certainly a wealth of knowledge 🙏
Ole school floor pump jack, love it!😅😅😅
That's the go 😆
Leon is my go-to, he’s a wealth of knowledge and a true Gentleman.
Loving the tech vids!
Cheers, Tim, this is so true. Leon is a wealth of knowledge and extremely helpful 🙏
Very knowledgeable episode. We took a lot away from that. Thanks
That's great to hear 😀
First comment. Awesome as content ❤ seeing the videos every time you post
Aww awesome 👌 thank you so much ❤️
Fantastic information, great video 🇦🇺
Thanks so much 👍 we're glad you enjoyed the episode 🙏
Thanks for this video mate. I will use his services.
That's great to hear. Thanks, mate 🍻
Very informative! We have self leveling airbags and the towing is fantastic. Well done guys 👍
That's awesome. Thanks for watching and commenting 🍻 👍
Great work Leon, do both of you shop for shorts at the same place ha ha.
Cheers 🍻. Haha, we didn't notice 😅
Good video! @14:20 you mentioned that having the rear of the car up would transfer more weight to the front wheels / axle.
I may be wrong here, but my understanding is that with a tandem axle trailer / van, if the front of the van / hitch is lifted up, more weight is transferred down onto the receiver.
With the rear suspension now having airbags, articulation / up down movements, between the van and car are not being absorbed by the suspension by itself as it was engineered to do.
The rear suspension travel is restricted, and acting like a pivot, which would actually reduce weight over the front axles, because the rear suspension cant compress as easily.
Again I may be wrong and happy for it to be explained to me!
Good luck with the travels!!
Thanks Cam, yes that all makes sense. Leon said it transfers a little weight, not much. thanks for watching and commenting 🙂
very informative. well done guys !!
Thanks Dan 😍
Awesome video 👍
Cheers Peter 🍻
Great vid guys!
Thanks Tracey 😍
Top video. In just 30 minutes I learnt heaps about airbags & more importantly wheel alignments. It was very refreshing to have Leon describe in detail what he was doing with the cruiser and van in terms that a layman could understand. Keep these informative videos coming.
That's awesome 👌, thanks for watching along. We, too, learn a lot from Leon. The great thing is that he is happy to share his knowledge 😊 🙏
Ripper vid mate Leon I’ll be checking your web site out soon
Awesome Paul thanks mate 👍 👌
Nice, you may even save a tiny bit of fuel with the wheels running true. What's the go with all southern crosses on your chassis. Upside down on drivers side and the back the front on passangers side. 🤔
Yeah, that's true 👍. Oh really, we'll look into that. Great pick up 👌
Good vid. One thing to consider - the valves to fill the airbags are best mounted on the side opposite the exhaust - for the LC300, on the right. I made this mistake when fitting to a Patrol and had to endure sucking in exhaust fumes when adding air as the engine has to be running to operate the compressor.
Thank you 👍. good point, although we don't require the car to be running for the compressor to operate. Our compressor is hooked up to the secondary battery
That’s an awesome Episode
We have Leon booked in for tomorrow to do the weights on the caravan and car and now definitely a wheel alignment.
Thanks Laura and Troy for the recommendation of Safe To Tow.
Thanks Paul, lm sure you'll be happy 😊
Great Video, did I miss that you changed the hitch back to a DC045?
Yes, sorry, l had a bit of a rant on the Lovells hitch after it broke on us just before Xmas. We had to empty the van and water and put the DO45 back on so we could go away. Lovells replaced the hitch after the Xmas break. reluctantly, it's back on for our SA trip
Great video.. what's Leon's business name, location, I'll be ringing him, he's the man.. thx
Safe To Tow - Mobile Caravan Weighing - Vehicle Weighing and Suspension - Mobile Weighing Station
0421 221 937
g.co/kgs/NqVDBmt
Heh Troy,
Excuse me if I’m wrong.
Why do you use the Lovells hitch again?
If your van is above 3.5T and below 4.5T why don’t you use the DO45?
Hey Tom, Lovells won't warrant our suspension upgrades if we use the DO45. but yes, l get what you're saying 🤔
@ oh sorry!
So you have lovells suspension as well!
Yeah all good 👍
Just wondering is it is a D035 or 45 and what weights are you at
We watched your episode on your van being weighed, and you were a tad under 3.8 tone without food or clothes .
We had ours weighed, and we are 3.9 tonne and the same upgrade and same lovells hitch.
How do get away with a non lovells hitch
Curious as our engineering stipulates lovells hitch 🤔🤔🤔
Great question. We don't get away with towing at 3.8 ton with the DO45 hitch. when we collected the van, the van was empty and under 3.5 ton, hence why we used the DO45 at that time.
@JourneyUnknown are using the D045, or are you back to lovells Hitch at present as lots of mixed signals .
We do love watching but just confused with the different hitches.
@christinelillie8422 Our Lovells hitch broke before Christmas. We unloaded the van and water to be under 3.5. towing. put the DO45 on for Tocumwal. Lovells have since replaced the hitch, which we have back on.
You are assuming that the GVM and BTC upgrade remains Compliant with the Lovells certification? Does it?
Nah we don't have to assume anything. Lovells did the upgrade in the first place we know it's compliant
@@JourneyUnknown sorry... does the GVM and BTC upgrade remains Compliant with the airbags? Also what broke on the Lovells hitch? (just bought one) Can we prevent that?
@gregpenhaligon7859 Yes, the airbags don't interfere with the upgrade. A clip in the Lovells hitch cap broke. They said it wasn't common and nothing has been changed in the hitch. time will tell 🤔
Why didn’t you take it back to Aussie caravans to fix the wheel alignment. It’s under warranty.
Because GA were on their Christmas break, and we were heading to SA.
👌🍻
🍻 👍
I would bet he puts the rims and tyres back on with that rattle gun and not a tension wrench.
He's not that lazy. every nut had a torque wrench put over it.
Hang on. You just paid good money to the manufacturer and then you have to pay another business to correct the alignment that should have been perfect from the manufacturer.
Yeah, great point, Frank . welcome to the caravan world. get it checked and double-check.
I'd be hitting them up for the new tyre.
First of all why are you paying ol mate to fix a problem that the manufacturer of the caravan should be fixing and secondly check that your gvm upgrade is now legal now you have fitted airbags , when you had your gvm upgrade done no airbags on the vehicle now you have added might be a different story .
Firstly, GA were on their Christmas shutdown. We were heading away for a 3500k trip. Secondly, your caravan should have a wheel alignment after its first 1000ks. And don't stress. Our GVM is still valid. thank you so much for your concerns 🙏
I am curious why you would need airbags after having the Lovells BTC Upgrade fitted and how that impacts the Lovells system? I also wonder why Lovells don’t offer airbags? The answer to both questions is that you are not using the Lovells system correctly. Such a waste of time and money!
There is no need to be curious, mate. it was all explained in the episode and 💯 comparable with the Lovells upgrade.
@ haha. You don’t need airbags with the Lovells Upgrade. I have the same as you. Air bags upset the system whereas you should be using the WDH to stay complaint. Get Lovells to explain it to you.
@ColinNeill-z2n We're not over 3.7 ton. The comfort with airbags is money very well spent. not to mention it navigates the 15ml of sag in the rear.
You’ve just wiped your GVM upgrade it’s engineered without airbags which isn’t part of gvm making your GVM upgrade no longer legal you cannot change anything
Haha that's wrong 😅
@ no it it not mate do your research you can’t change anything or the vehicle needs to be reengineered that’s a fact not even the type of tyre you run
@ourredaustralia3557 OK when you have spoken directly to the manufacturer, then they must be lying 🤔
@ I now fit gvm upgrades and if change anything even adding airbags it is not was in the vehicle when engineered and needs to be done again.
I’m a qualified diesel mechanic your not and every single kit I fit needs be signed by me.
Lastly your doesn’t even have the spring mount bracing kit which is required for a GVM upgrade and rear diff bracing
@ourredaustralia3557 l never said l was a diesel mechanic. although Leon is for the past 15 years. plus, he's a bowing aircraft technician. We put our trust in him and his knowledge.