chopper replied:

"(I know the longer the drawbar the easier it is to reverse)"

to a point.

I have found that it is relative to the wheelbase of the car.

We have a canoe trailer at work that is over 4 meters from hitch to axle, this reverses nicely behind the bus, but is a little more tricky behind my troopy, and much more difficult behind a friends sierra.

Just a thought...

Nomad replied:

Steve

The drawbar on my camper is 1830mm. Towed behind the Patrol it is a charm forwards or backwards. Mind you I have so much junk attached to it, it's hard to actually see it! Have not had any problems in the bush. We take it anywhere the truck will go.

Cheers

Member - Mik replied:

Steve, a rule that i was taught in the fabrication trade concerning drawbar lenghts was that the draw bar should be 1/3 + 10/15 percent of the vehicles overall lenght.
I have used this method in the construction of 11 custom built trailers and all owners have been very satisfied.

PS, use this as a guide only as there are a lot of other factors to contend with when purchasing a pre built trailer of any kind

Hope it helps
Mik

Nomad replied:

Steve,

My drawbar carrys the following in order from trailer to tow hitch:

Toolbox (Large)
Twin 9kg gas rings (side by side)
Spare wheel mounted vertically

When you register a new trailer in Qld, it is a self assessment thing. The Tpt Dept gives you a form which sets out various lengths, widths etc that the trailer must comply with. Might be worth getting a copy of this.

Cheers

Member - Mik replied:

steve, measure the overall lenght of the vehicle in question, devide this number by a third, then depending on wether storage boxes are being built onto the draw bar ad an amount of between 10 to 15%.
EG, Rodeo space cab Overall lenght, 5200mm devided by three = 1733, 400 mm storage box built onto drawbar = + 15% this gives an overall drawbar lenght from the tow hitch of 1990mm.

It works for me

Mik

SteveA replied:

thanks for the info everyone