Towing Bracket Placement
Discussion
A while back I ordered my new Avondale Land Ranger 6 berth caravan, and it should be finished some time in early May, in time for Le Mans. I have had considerable trouble trying to get all the necessary mods done, such as the metallic paint matched and applied to this new van so it matches my GTR. It should really look something when it's all hitched up. I had the 14" wheels for the van trashed and new 16” ones turned out of billet ally, (running 30 profile yoko’s) like the original Ultima wheels, so they will match as well. Also I have had the SPAX tow-master shocks replaced with Bilstein group N jobbies which were originally out of a Saab (new of course).
Drums are gone naturally, and 12" vented discs and four-pots are being fitted in their place. Chassis mods have been extensive, using alloy lowering blocks to get the ride height down to match the ground line of the Ultima - the van is now 8 cm lower, so these will defo help with the handling. Also the four pot gas ring, and oven, have been replaced with a combo microwave to further reduce the weight. I will also be talking to Ted this week about the possibility of fitting another wing on the van to help air flow, tho I don’t know how this will affect the handling as the wheels are in the middle!
Needles to say the old guy at the van showroom nearly fell off his chair when I showed him a pic of my towcar. He also retracted his offer of free membership with the Caravan club of Great Britain as well - two faced to$$er! He did well out of me as well.
Looking at the rear chassis cross member of the Ult, it looks quite straightforward to fabricate and extend the chassis rails in box section, and to fit the tow bar plate to this new section. I have also devised a neat electric release panel in the GRP, so that the whole hitch mechanism can be removed and out of sight when not towing the van. Instead of using towing mirrors I am using a reversing camera off a truck (the picture is correctly the wrong way around like a mirror would be) and I will be using the pop out screen from the Alpine head unit so I can see behind whilst driving. I think IMHO I am possibly the only Ultima owner to have done this so far, so any comments would be welcome.
Can't wait to blow the doors of Stig's motor, once I am all up and running - with the van on of course.
The only real problem I have has so far was insuring the two vehicles together. The only insurance company I found would only issue me with a special one off policy - Winchester Insurance Non-standard Design & Unclassified Private-use.
Drums are gone naturally, and 12" vented discs and four-pots are being fitted in their place. Chassis mods have been extensive, using alloy lowering blocks to get the ride height down to match the ground line of the Ultima - the van is now 8 cm lower, so these will defo help with the handling. Also the four pot gas ring, and oven, have been replaced with a combo microwave to further reduce the weight. I will also be talking to Ted this week about the possibility of fitting another wing on the van to help air flow, tho I don’t know how this will affect the handling as the wheels are in the middle!
Needles to say the old guy at the van showroom nearly fell off his chair when I showed him a pic of my towcar. He also retracted his offer of free membership with the Caravan club of Great Britain as well - two faced to$$er! He did well out of me as well.
Looking at the rear chassis cross member of the Ult, it looks quite straightforward to fabricate and extend the chassis rails in box section, and to fit the tow bar plate to this new section. I have also devised a neat electric release panel in the GRP, so that the whole hitch mechanism can be removed and out of sight when not towing the van. Instead of using towing mirrors I am using a reversing camera off a truck (the picture is correctly the wrong way around like a mirror would be) and I will be using the pop out screen from the Alpine head unit so I can see behind whilst driving. I think IMHO I am possibly the only Ultima owner to have done this so far, so any comments would be welcome.
Can't wait to blow the doors of Stig's motor, once I am all up and running - with the van on of course.
The only real problem I have has so far was insuring the two vehicles together. The only insurance company I found would only issue me with a special one off policy - Winchester Insurance Non-standard Design & Unclassified Private-use.
Good point GTRCLIVE. I have already dealt with that by using specially fabricated inserts which clip into the original factory pipes, and hold on to the lip of the pipes. The flexible exhaust duct (4.5" dia) is what Mercedes use to carry the fumes out of their workshop, so they are good enough for me too. The pipes pass through the A frame and are directed onto the floor.
Don't know whether or not to fit those nice little curtains in the Ult as well tho...
Don't know whether or not to fit those nice little curtains in the Ult as well tho...
Winchester Insurance Non-standard Design & Unclassified Private-use.
He he I am a sod! Ok well done to those who smelt a rat!; Stig, B1ECC etc, a bit of fun. For those that didn't, then surely the bold letters on the last line must have given you a clue?? oh yeah and I must admit GTRCLIVE was obviously in it as well!! well we do like to provide entertainment!
Sadly Chewy has REALLY inspired me as the world record (as set by the Guiness World of Records) is as he says, and clearly is open for competition.
Yes this IS something that I may go for, given the egging on from the right people; I don't see why Ultima wouldn't want the publicity, my car was factory built and 129 mph is only 3rd gear material. Naturally I would hope for at least 150 mph plus, which is very possible given the right support.
If anyone else thinks this is a fair record attempt then please let me know while the money is in the bank!
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