Extended Drawbars? - CC Exodus 14

[stufly]

Hi

Could anybody offer some input on drawbar length please. I'm uncertain of how the maths works!

We are about to  commit to purchasing a new Complete Campsite Exodus 14 Hardtop camper, but I am debating if the 400mm extended drawbar option will impact my clearance through ditches and hills?
The standard camper body is 4470mm long x 2000mm wide and the trailer is 6200mm long from tow ball to rear.  The 400mm drawbar extension makes the trailer length = 6600mm.
I am towing with LC200 and tow ball height will be 550mm.
I will install an ARB suspension upgrade over the standard KDSS setup.

Will the extra 400mm dramatically change the agility of the camper ?

thanks all

Stu

PS. We are not planning to cross the Simpson or do the CSR in this rig, but we will be exploring all over OZ for a whole year!

[Alan Loy]

Perhaps it would be a useful project to design a spreadsheet that could work these things out, particularly for those who are building their own camper.

I guess some of the parameters would be
Wheel diameter
Chassis height
tow ball height
hitch to axle length
axle to tail light length

Any others

Formulas?

[achjimmy]

Two things I have noticed most with the  300mm extension on my van is the ramp over going over the gutter and then down my drive, and the time the trailer takes to come around when reversing.

[Bird]

PS. We are not planning to cross the Simpson or do the CSR in this rig, but we will be exploring all over OZ for a whole year!

for that usage I'd say no problems. its not like your going over 500 erosion humps up the high country all day every day

[Diesel Power]

I would wait to see what Kiva says about his extended drawbar.
Are you going with bike racks to require an extended drawbar?
Regards

[stufly]

Hi DP

Yes, I am hoping Kiva jumps in with his feedback !
and
Yes we are going to use the isi bike rack, however this bike rack faces the rear of the camper and hangs over the top of the front storage box, therefore it does not require the extended drawbar.

I would wait to see what Kiva says about his extended drawbar.
Are you going with bike racks to require an extended drawbar?
Regards

[dazzler]

One for the manufacturer really.

When they designed it I am sure they would have set the axle set back according to the weight distribution and the hitch point (length of drawbar). 

So something must be different with the 400mm longer drawbar.  Wonder what weight they have moved around or changes to the axle location to keep it in spec. 

Maybe ask them?

[Jon]

Yep. Give Grant a call. They will be more than keen to get the sale locked in.

[Herks]

Sometimes there is a trade off also on ball weight.
A good rule of thumb is that the ball weight should be around 10% of the total TARE weight.
If that can be achieved then the trailer(when packed correctly) will behave quite well.
Also as others have said, the longer the draw bar the greater the effect on the ramp over angle, so expect to have some dragging on the chassis rails in extreme conditions.
Yes the manufacturer SHOULD be able to answer these questions without hesitation.
Ta
John

[kiva]

Give CC a call as they know all the details. We never intended to tackle the really tough stuff, so I couldn't see the additional 400mm making any significant difference in the dynamics for our purposes. We have found that the platform that the extended drawbar provides has been a useful area for keeping stuff that hasn't been put away off the ground.


Getting the drawbar extended is a bit of a muchness really and I personally wouldn't be against getting the extended drawbar if I was to order the CT again. Compared to our Ultimate, I found having a longer CT and drawbar makes reversing so much easier.