Towing/WDH help please
Submitted: Monday, Mar 09, 2009 at 20:15
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Bekali
Hi all, I have done a liitle research but nothing seems to be confidently answering my question, hands on experience is better than any......
I am looking to replace mums 12ft van for something bigger.
I have found a full size van 16ft - 17ft with drawbar weighs 1500kgs
Tow vehicle is a ford Territory which I think maximum tow is 1600kgs and weighs 2074kgs.
The van comes with a hayman reece WDH and ford territory has only standard towbar and I want to avoid putting a H/R tow bar on the car.
My question is "Could we tow this van without using sway bars/stabilsers or the WDH etc?"
From my own exp I have a 1150kg van that I pull with a paj and use a WDH but only because it came with the van.....
Friends pull a 23ft van not using anything......
Reply By: Thermoguard Instruments - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 09:05
Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 09:05
Hi,
As you already have (or will get) the H-R WDH with the van, I'd strongly advise getting the heavy-duty hitch receiver fitted to the Territory. As mentioned, a 16-17' van will probably be pushing close to the rating of the 1600kg towbar.
Another consideration is ball weight. Please correct me if I'm wrong but I believe simple flat plate tongues are typically rated for only 120kg ball weight. The transport authorities recommend a ball weight of about 10% of the total loaded van weight. So a 1500-1600kg loaded van should have a ball weight around 150-160kg.
Those that pull heavy vans with no weight distribution equipment (or who use those inadequate little round bar hitches on large heavy vans) may have had no problems to date but they can't change the laws of physics. If you place a heavy load on the ball, you MUST at the same time be lifting weight OFF the front axle of the tow vehicle - the axle responsible for steering and much of the braking. This is true no matter how straight and level the rig may look due to heavy rear springs. And if they are using a ball mount rated for only 120kg they are probably illegal.
We've been 'on the road' for most of the last 7 years and have covered a bit of ground with vans in tow (16' single axle and now 18' tandem axle).
Send me an email if you'd like info on correctly setting-up a WDH.
Ian
AnswerID:
353196
Follow Up By: Member - Roscoe ET (QLD) - Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 09:22
Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009 at 09:22
Bekali,
As Ian correctly says you cannot change the law of physics weight must be distributed evenly. In an emergency situation where you need to take evasive action this will mean the difference of a recovery from the situation or the van taking total of the situation.
I also use an anti sway bar to compliment the WDH.
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