tow ball weights
Submitted: Monday, Sep 09, 2002 at 00:00
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PETER
proud to say that land rover are not the only people in the universe to cause pain to motorists stupid enough to believe that the towing power was all that was essential in a tow vehicle - if you want insurance cover that is. jeep owners now find that their vehicles are not up to the tow ball expectations and christler will not help. dont know but expect christler will say like land rover - get another van or another car . regards peter
Reply By: StephenF - Monday, Sep 09, 2002 at 00:00
Monday, Sep 09, 2002 at 00:00
Knowledge is power. Now that the matter is being publicised (here and in caravan mags) the buying public will become educated enough to ask pertinent questions BEFORE they plonk down their cash (sorry Peter - I know it's no comfort for you). The maximum ball weight is often not in the specifications - it's probably in the handbook you read AFTER you've bought the vehicle.
AnswerID:
6496
Reply By: Savvas - Tuesday, Sep 10, 2002 at 00:00
Tuesday, Sep 10, 2002 at 00:00
Same with Holden Jackaroo. It is rated to pull 2500kg, and you can get a non-equalizing hitch from Hayman Reese with a 250kg ball weight capacity. However the owner's manual states that the ball weight should be no more than 100kg or 10% of the trailer weight whichever is lowest, unless an equalizing hitch is fitted. It's not a problem for me at the moment, as I never tow anything bigger than a box trailer. But it's a trap nonetheless for the inexperienced.
AnswerID:
6507
Reply By: Fred - Tuesday, Sep 10, 2002 at 00:00
Tuesday, Sep 10, 2002 at 00:00
I am curious as to what you are going to tow, and why your load needs to be so unbalanced that these tow ball weights are a problem?
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6510
Follow Up By: Member - Keith - Tuesday, Sep 10, 2002 at 00:00
Tuesday, Sep 10, 2002 at 00:00
Fred, A trailer or van should have 10-15% of its total weight, or GTM, on the ball for safe towing. That means that with a van like mine of 2,200 kg GTM, the ball weight should be atb least 220 kg. If my vehicle specs only permit a ball weight of less than 220kg, then if I tow, then my insurance may be void and I may also be breaking the law. As mentioned above, this issue is getting lots of press in the caravan mags.
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Follow Up By: Stephenf - Tuesday, Sep 10, 2002 at 00:00
Tuesday, Sep 10, 2002 at 00:00
Fred, as Keith said, you should have at least 10% of the towed weight on the towball. This is to ensure that the tow vehicle has directional authority over the trailer. A "balanced" trailer with the centre of gravity close to its axle(s) lacks directional stability and will tend to wobble and sway when towed.
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Reply By: Graham - Tuesday, Sep 10, 2002 at 00:00
Tuesday, Sep 10, 2002 at 00:00
To add to the discussion remember the difference between ATM & GTM.
Ball weight of around 10% of ATM is generally ok. ATM is the total weight of the trailer/caravan including the whats on the ball. GTM is only the weight on the trailer/caravan wheels.
So if you had a van that weighed 2200kg unhooked from the vehilce with on its jockey wheel & wheels on the weighbridge this would be the ATM, then then you hook it onto the tow ball and weigh it with only the van wheels on the weighbridge this is the GTM so if there was 220 (10%) on the tow ball then 1980kg would be the GTM.
So 10% of ATM is 220kg whereas 10% of GTM is 198kg.
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Follow Up By: Member - Keith - Wednesday, Sep 11, 2002 at 00:00
Wednesday, Sep 11, 2002 at 00:00
Oops....Thanks Graham, my mistake!
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Reply By: Tim - Tuesday, Sep 10, 2002 at 00:00
Tuesday, Sep 10, 2002 at 00:00
Check with the manafacturer because Mitsubishi put up thier ball weight on Pajero/Triton 18 months ago and back dated it because prior to some insurance rejections that made the news nobdy cared about ball weight
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Reply By: Member - Nigel - Wednesday, Sep 11, 2002 at 00:00
Wednesday, Sep 11, 2002 at 00:00
Is it still called "ball" weight if you have a Treg or an Orac hitch? :)
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6544
Reply By: stephen - Saturday, Sep 14, 2002 at 00:00
Saturday, Sep 14, 2002 at 00:00
im getting a little confused, why would you want to lump around 2 odd tonne of kitchen sink with you. i thought it was about getting back to the basics, roughing it, are we all turning soft
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6615
Follow Up By: Member - Keith - Sunday, Sep 15, 2002 at 00:00
Sunday, Sep 15, 2002 at 00:00
Why, Stephen.....because the missus wants the comforts of
home.....and I'm a hopeless
cook!!!
FollowupID:
2979
Reply By: stephen - Monday, Sep 16, 2002 at 00:00
Monday, Sep 16, 2002 at 00:00
now come on keith steak and eggs on the fry pan over a fire is not that difficult, and besides i try to leave her indoors at
home
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6638