Towing limits and regulations.

Submitted: Friday, Apr 06, 2007 at 21:47

ThreadID: 44064 Views:12306 Replies:10 FollowUps:9

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vv4yno

I have just upgraded my camper for a poptop and am a little confused at the towing regs. I am very keen to comply with the law and would appreciate some help.
Firstly, my Ford Courier has a max towing weight of 1800Kg but a max ball weight of 60Kg - common knowledge (and the manual) state that ball weight should be 10% of the laden weight but this only gives a max towing weight for the van of 600Kg- How does this make any sense? - If I cant maintain 60Kg ball weight, can I upgrade the suspension to allower a higher ball load?
On to the trailer - My camper only listed a Tare weight on the papers but the new poptop shows an aggregate weight also. The Tare is 778Kg but the aggregate weight is 2000Kg - this allows for a 1200Kg + load - well in excess of what it would actually be. Is the aggregate weight a "guess" to stay under the limit for a breakaway braking system? - If this is so, can i get it modified by having the vans aggregate weight measured on a weighbridge before I transfer the rego or will the RTA refuse to change it? -
Ok, on to insurance - If I do have an accident, would the actual weight of loaded van be taken into consideration or would the recorded aggregate weight be taken into account - I ask because the current recorded aggregate weight is 200Kg over the max load permitted by Ford for the courier.
Sorry it is so long winded but I am very keen to get this right as there is too much riding on it to guess.
Thanks in advance for any help,
Wayne

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Reply By: chips59 - Friday, Apr 06, 2007 at 22:45

Reply By: _gmd_pps - Friday, Apr 06, 2007 at 23:16

Reply By: Go-N-Grey (WA) - Friday, Apr 06, 2007 at 23:52

Friday, Apr 06, 2007 at 23:52

The 10% ball weight is only a recommended weight distribution.

I have a Van that weighs 2.7 tonne ATM. 10 % = 270kgs. The actual weight on the ball is 120kgs i.e. < 5% of the ATM. That is the manufacturers specs.

The van tows very well with HR hitch behind LC100, and quite well without it

AnswerID: 232092

Follow Up By: vv4yno - Saturday, Apr 07, 2007 at 00:17

Saturday, Apr 07, 2007 at 00:17

I haven't actually measured the ball weight and that is a job for the morning - I cant really adjust it too much except with loading the van but I intend to whack a few large water containers up the back and see what it takes to get a ball weight of 60Kg then I will be off to the weighbridge to find the total weight so I can calculate the ball weight % - Armed with this info I will attempt to get the RTA to change the aggregate weight to a more realistic value (I think with a 778Kg tare the aggregate weight should be around 1200Kg Max)
Then its off to test the towing performance - If it doesn't all add up then I suppose it's off car shopping!. Buying the van was a stretch to the finances - a new car is going to send me to the poorhouse and I want to avoid it if I can.
It's only after all this calculating that I realise that my camper would have been over the max limits for the courier - incidently that towed and braked beautifully behind the courier too even though it had mechanical brakes. - I estimate the ball weight would have been a smidge over 75Kg
I have also noticed the manual states - "ball weight must not EXCEED 60Kg 10% of trailer weight" so under 10% would be legal as long as it tows OK.
If I can get the ball weight under 60Kg and it tows OK I may be alright in the end.
I will post my test results tommorrow.
Thanks again,
Wayne

FollowupID: 493002

Follow Up By: Member - Rotord - Saturday, Apr 07, 2007 at 09:34

Saturday, Apr 07, 2007 at 09:34

Going under 10% is fraught with danger , and even if it seems to tow all right you may be setting yourself up for when odd circumstances will precipitate a departure from normal stability .

What about a Japanese exchange engine for your other car ? I haven't seen the prices lately , but it may solve your problem for about $1000 . As a 1995 model it is probably worth keeping on the road .

FollowupID: 493024

Follow Up By: DIO - Saturday, Apr 07, 2007 at 10:48

Saturday, Apr 07, 2007 at 10:48

I would suggest that you don't even consider trying to reduce the ball weight by loading up the back end of the van. The result could be catastrophic and cause the van to fishtail erratically - and at the very worst result in a serious accident. Successful van towing is largely about balance and control. These factors are achieved by having a suitable and appropriate tow vehicle (Horse power, torque, towing capacity), suitable and appropiate towing equipment including a Weight Distribution Hitch (WDH), the van or trailer weight within the tow vehicle manufaturer's specification/recommendations, tow ball weight within the van and tow vehicle specifications, and a compotent person driving the tow vehicle, making allowance for the extra weight dragging behind and adjusting driving style to suit all conditions.
Now having said that, many people hitch up and drive off without too much consideration for the above, however it is likely that these will be the same people that end up on the evening news or front page of a local paper after they have become involved in a collison (not accident) with someone or something else because of instability, lack of handling or braking, poor equipment choice or lack of appropriate equipment and failure to adjust their driving to conditions.
Don't be one of THEM. Good luck with your vanning, hope you get it sorted out.

FollowupID: 493033

Follow Up By: vv4yno - Saturday, Apr 07, 2007 at 11:11

Saturday, Apr 07, 2007 at 11:11

Thanks for the tips, certainly good advise.
I have measured the ball weight and it is at 143Kg - 20% of the tare.
Wouldnt loading the back of the van bring the total rig closer to the balance desired?
By my calcs 200Kg at the rear of the van would make the hitch about 90KG and bring the aggregate to 980Kg - this equates to very close to the 10% required.
while i know in general it is discouraged to load the rear of any trailer but looking at the big picture it seems OK.
what do you think?
Wayne