Burger vans, towing, 4x4s and transits.

[BigMonty]

Right folks, as some of you may know ( Most wont ) I have a burger trailer on an industrial estate. I have to tow it the the 30 mile round trip every day. Occasionally I do events and car boot sales at weekends.
The set up is a 16ft catering trailer towed by a RWD swb transit. On the fen roads it is a bloody nightmare. The first 10 miles of the journey is 25 to 30 mph. When I hit the main road I can get up to about 45mph before it begins to snake about. I also have an ifor Williams that sits fine at 60mph even with a car on it. What am I missing ?????

Next quandary: The transit isnt really man for the job. Most events I do and occasionally on the industrial estate when on grass the traction is none existent.
So I have decided to go for a 4x4. As I need to mount a generator in the back one of the crew cab ( l200/warrior / nivara ) trucks seem to be a logical choice, but I hate the damn things. Around here you are either a **** or a pikey to run one. So I am stuck. I would love a Xc70, but then we have the generator problem.
Any ideas throw them my way, no matter how daft. ( that's usually where the best ones come from )

[Rossi-fan]

Just get yourself a better, more modern van BM. A Merc Sprinter perhaps.

[tt82]

How heavy is the generator? Why does it rule out the XC70?

[Jonny5isalive]

Originally Posted by BigMonty

Right folks, as some of you may know ( Most wont ) I have a burger trailer on an industrial estate. I have to tow it the the 30 mile round trip every day. Occasionally I do events and car boot sales at weekends.
The set up is a 16ft catering trailer towed by a RWD swb transit. On the fen roads it is a bloody nightmare. The first 10 miles of the journey is 25 to 30 mph. When I hit the main road I can get up to about 45mph before it begins to snake about. I also have an ifor Williams that sits fine at 60mph even with a car on it. What am I missing ?????

Next quandary: The transit isnt really man for the job. Most events I do and occasionally on the industrial estate when on grass the traction is none existent.
So I have decided to go for a 4x4. As I need to mount a generator in the back one of the crew cab ( l200/warrior / nivara ) trucks seem to be a logical choice, but I hate the damn things. Around here you are either a **** or a pikey to run one. So I am stuck. I would love a Xc70, but then we have the generator problem.
Any ideas throw them my way, no matter how daft. ( that's usually where the best ones come from )

Your trailer shouldn't snake about. Have you considered a stabiliser used on caravans? It would dampen any snaking motion before it gets wayward.

[Jonny5isalive]

What about a Toyota Hilux pickup? Legendary reliability

[moorgate]

G Wagen? I thought snaking was bad weight distribution in the towed unit.

[2Diesels]

Sounds like you need a bit more nose weight as it tends to be a light drawbar that causes snaking. Also if your GCW is over 3.5 tonnes you should have a tachograph, you can PM me for more details if you like

[BigMonty]

Originally Posted by Rossi-fan

Just get yourself a better, more modern van BM. A Merc Sprinter perhaps.

The transit is a mk6 ( 05 reg ) same chassis set up they used till a couple of years ago. I agree the sprinter is a better van but I can only go SWB or I cant get it in my drive. I also have an old LWB transit, it doesn't tow it any better

[BigMonty]

Originally Posted by tt82

How heavy is the generator? Why does it rule out the XC70?

The Genny is pretty light, about 35 kg. But it has to be bolted down/padlocked for security.
Couple of local catering vans have had their gennys pinched lately, the thieves unplug them pick them up and run to a waiting car and gone.

[BigMonty]

Originally Posted by Jonny5isalive

Your trailer shouldn't snake about. Have you considered a stabiliser used on caravans? It would dampen any snaking motion before it gets wayward.

Just googled that, definately worth a shot.