tow ball weights

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.

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.

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?

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.

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

Is it still called "ball" weight if you have a Treg or an Orac hitch? :)

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

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