Why Is My Mkiii Snaking?

[dellybeanhead]

Sorry reposting due to confusing comment about Mk2 (II) in previous attempt.

I have just been on my first caravan trip with my MKIII Galaxy

I experienced my first (and many) snakes.

It occurs if I go over 55mph and somebody overtakes me. Almost everytime. The rear of the unit get sucks out. then the front (as expected) but then it begins to snake.

If I am over 60mph then the snake possibility is much higher as is its effect.

I solve it by gently reducing speed and keeping the car in a straight line.

This is of real concern as my unit has not changed at all. My unit never ever snaked (not even a hint of it) with my old car (a Hyundai Terracan). The only thing that has changed is the car.

The load is good. both weight and distribution is good. I am perplexed and concerned.

Am I just an unlucky bugger who has found an incompatible unit/car/speed combination?

You may say, well stick to 55 mph, but that 5mph makes a lot of difference when you're on a long journey and when I am in Europe I tow a lot faster than 60mph.

I have another EU trip planned later this year and am now in 2 minds as to whether to change my car (again!!!!) before I leave. I really don't want to and hope that somebody can point out what is causing the problem.

thanks,

James

[johnhudson99]

Have noticed the same problem with a mkII using two dirrerent caravans all I can say is dont load up the van too much and try distributing the load differently. At the end of the day if 60mph is too much and 55mph feels safe then you have your answer. A good tip when you see someone approaching you to overtake is move out slightly to the right making them take a wider berth.Then move left just before they reach you creating a wider gap between you a you will feel less drag etc.

[seatkid]

IIRC this thread is a repost. The original poster solved the snaking by fitting a ball which sat a few cm lower. This altered the aerodynamics of the caravan which was (originally) nose high and tending to "take off" at 55mph.

[v_leesy2k1]

defo fit a drop plate my cousin had the same problem with the ass end of his van being lower than the front so the wind was lifting the back end and makeing him snake he fitted drop plate and doesnt have no probs now he totally snake free

[philipxxl]

I know it's a few months old this post, but how long is your caravan? Generally snaking accurs if your caravan is roughly the same dimensions as your towing vehicle, it's like a consetina effect, you should get a caravan specialist advise you if the caravan is suitable for the vehicle wheelbase you have. Also if snaking is bad I believe you can purchase dampers, like hydraulic suspension rods, to counter act the action.

[Rodders53]

Having just bought and towed with a 2009 Galaxy auto I have to say I'm perplexed by this snaking issue.

Snaking is usually caused by poor loading and/or poor caravan:car mass ratios. If the noseweight is too low (ideal is 7% of caravan mass or the towbar limit whichever is lower {Galaxy is 80kg or 90kg on later models}) it might be easier to start.

If the caravan nose is high (due to towball being too high) it could definitely cause stability issues. The standard towball heigh specification is: Caravan: 430mm +/- 35mm Car: 385mm +/- 35mm. The car height usually drops a bit when coupled up, but you can see that if both tolerances are at the extreme (car 420mm, van 395mm) the caravan could become nose up.

The Bosal removable ball on my Galaxy is higher than my previous cars (Kia Sportage and Land Rover Freelander 2) but the caravan still sits level. I had no stability problems at all at the legal limits (50mph single and 60mph dual carriageways - speed verified by sat nav readout). The back of the Galaxy hardly dropped at all with 80kg on it.

Many caravanner use friction stabilisers (many fitted as standard on caravans) and the newest caravans come with electrically-operated brakes that are claimed to help control snakes. Modern caravans have shock absorbers too (they can be retro-fitted) instead of relying on the rubber axle mountings. None of these devices will prevent a snake starting.

[Robin280]

Hi,
I Have towed Caravans with many cars (All Fords) for longer than I'd like to say, and was more than pleased towing with my Mk 1 Galaxy (1999 / 2300 Automatic) than any car I have had as it was a dream, my Caravan is a 24ft Abbey Vogue 418GT and it isnt light.. A lot over a Ton

It does have a Ball Stabilser on and after nasty experiences when I was young, I never tow a Caravan without some sort of stabilser on, (Scott leaf type on my older Caravans)

Agree with everything everyone else has said before, and LOADING is VERY important and can be more critical on some combinations, if youre not using a stabilser I'd seriously consider one, and check noseweight is somewhere close to what it should be ..

Does it still do it with 5 or 7 people in the car ? Just wondered ...>


Hope some of this helps, I've NOT had snaking for DECADES now - but remember its a very nasty feeling and I didnt like it...

VERY Kind Regards -
Robin