Trailer weight on tow ball? 90kg ok for 1300-1400kg trailer?

Submitted: Friday, Oct 15, 2010 at 17:07

ThreadID: 81920 Views:7032 Replies:5 FollowUps:10

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Towing Techniques

Many people either tow trailers, campers, boats or caravans when they travel. When it comes to towing a trailer or camper on the trip, the traveller will now have much more storage space.

Member - G N (VIC)

Hi All

Is 90kg weight on tow ball ok for a trailer of 1300-1400kg gross?
I king of would like it to be only 50kg but is this too little?

I have read some old posts where they say 10% eg say 135kg but this seems huge!

All ideas / comments and experiences most welcome please.

Regards
GN

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Reply By: Member - Phil 'n Jill (WA) - Friday, Oct 15, 2010 at 17:25

Friday, Oct 15, 2010 at 17:25

Hi G N

10% of gross weight seems to be the accepted 'rule of thumb' - at least on caravans - which are a lot higher than a 'trailer'. Perhaps the lower ball weight on a trailer would be okay - but you should be able to gauge it by how it tracks behind the tug, If it tows nice and stable, I wouldn't worry.

If you want to shift the load around a bit, you would expect to feel the differences.

Cheers - Phil

AnswerID: 433159

Reply By: MrBitchi (QLD) - Friday, Oct 15, 2010 at 18:08

Friday, Oct 15, 2010 at 18:08

10% is a good starting point. If it's too light it will handle like a pig.

AnswerID: 433168

Follow Up By: Member - G N (VIC) - Friday, Oct 15, 2010 at 18:13

Friday, Oct 15, 2010 at 18:13

Fair enough, will do a dummy load up and see where it ends up.

Thanks GN

FollowupID: 703958

Reply By: splits - Friday, Oct 15, 2010 at 18:11

Friday, Oct 15, 2010 at 18:11

Check your car owner's handbook first.Mine (Toyota) says 5 to 10% of the trailer weight. That means 70 for a 1400 kg trailer should be ok. The next step is to check with the trailer manufacturer. If they say ok then use 5%. If they want a bit more then go by their advice but don't exceed the car's maximum limit.

AnswerID: 433172

Follow Up By: Member - G N (VIC) - Friday, Oct 15, 2010 at 18:47

Friday, Oct 15, 2010 at 18:47

So i guess that gives a range of 70-140kg so if i can keep it at 90kg = pretty right.

the 10% of a 2.5ton unit at 250kg seems way too much.

what Toyo you quoting from?

thanks
GN

FollowupID: 703967

Follow Up By: Member - Shane D (QLD) - Friday, Oct 15, 2010 at 19:03

Friday, Oct 15, 2010 at 19:03

Backing up what splits has said, Toyota towbars are rated as 10% down force.
My cruiser has the 3500kg towbar with 350 rated down force. I think you will find this largely across the board.
I know Mitsubishi work off a different formula, always wise to check with particular;ar VEHICLE guidelines and towbar fitted

Shane

FollowupID: 703969

Follow Up By: Member - G N (VIC) - Friday, Oct 15, 2010 at 19:39

Friday, Oct 15, 2010 at 19:39

I must have my thoughts confused, 350 kg on pull scares me.

I have only old 60 series, 2500kg max i think, but still i keep having the feeling i dont want more than 100kg on pull.
i am not towing 2500kg but if was would still like to be at 100kg , but then i guess the 5% of 2500 = 125kg anywa\y,

what is the bitsmissing system of calculation just for interest?

(the bent dual cap 3 pages of posts back is a bit interesting)

regards GN

FollowupID: 703979

Follow Up By: Member - Scrubby (VIC) - Friday, Oct 15, 2010 at 20:12

Friday, Oct 15, 2010 at 20:12

G`day GN,
I did a 17000 klm + trip last year with an off road C/van behind my 60 series with a tow ball weight of 280 kg, which was about 13% of ATM, when we set off.
It towed like a dream.

It is far better to be "heavy on" than "light on" to eliminate any "out of control" sway problems.

Don`t worry so much, you`ll go grey. LOL

Scrubby.

FollowupID: 703990

Follow Up By: SDG - Friday, Oct 15, 2010 at 20:20

Friday, Oct 15, 2010 at 20:20

Unless your towing behind a bike, then to heavy on ball can get reallllly interesting....

FollowupID: 703997

Follow Up By: Member - G N (VIC) - Friday, Oct 15, 2010 at 20:24

Friday, Oct 15, 2010 at 20:24

Hi Scrubby

Thanks for info

Trying to stay cool lol.

I am actualy building the trailer and still have the option to move the axle forward a tad, but not after tomorrow.

Will have to do some sums i think?

Thanks
GN

FollowupID: 704000

Follow Up By: splits - Friday, Oct 15, 2010 at 21:14

Friday, Oct 15, 2010 at 21:14

G N (VIC) posted
"what Toyo you quoting from?
I must have my thoughts confused, 350 kg on pull scares me. "
-------------------------------
The 5 to 10% was in my 03 Hilux book. If you don't have the book for yours, ring or email the manufacturer's customer assistance section.

350 kg on a tow ball scares me too. It sounds easy enough when you say it. Thinking of it as 350 packets of Weet Bix still does not sound like very much. It is the same weight though as one of those giant hemi Chrysler V8s from the 1950s and I am buggered if I would want one of those monsters sitting on the tow ball!

FollowupID: 704017

Follow Up By: Member - G N (VIC) - Friday, Oct 15, 2010 at 22:20

Friday, Oct 15, 2010 at 22:20

Thanks splits
will call

i agree, no monster to tow ball!

i still recon 70-100kg is the mark in my mind?

GN

FollowupID: 704039

Reply By: Member - Teege (NSW) - Friday, Oct 15, 2010 at 21:00

Friday, Oct 15, 2010 at 21:00

GN
I think you should read the Jong Inquest, coroner's findings, in particular the evidence of Tom Olthoff at point 7 in the finding. I will leave you to draw your own conclusion as to the effect of reducing the ball weight.

teege

AnswerID: 433204

Follow Up By: Member - G N (VIC) - Friday, Oct 15, 2010 at 21:30

Friday, Oct 15, 2010 at 21:30

interesting read
thanks Teege

FollowupID: 704020

Reply By: travelguy62 - Saturday, Oct 16, 2010 at 07:52

Saturday, Oct 16, 2010 at 07:52

Gday GN

If you are going off road you may want a little more towbar weight for steep climbs as this will help with drive and not so much deadweight(pulling) unloading the tyres.Another thing as well as towbar weight is tyre pressures,it is amazing what a little extra pressure in the tow vehicle does to settle a swaying trailer/caravan.I tow my trailer with an old 60 with no problems.I borrowed a 80 to take a couple of extra kids camping and things were fine untill I hit the highway and things got a little unsteady.Checked tyre pressure 42lbs went to 48lbs and all the problems went away and felt very stable at highway speeds.I hope this is a little help and its alwaye better to be a little heavy on the towbar(within reason).
Cheers Guy

AnswerID: 433232