Thread: Tow bar fitting

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

4.08 tonne
4.08T Light Towing Pintle - Dixon-Bate
The pintle is only a small part of the equation. You also have to take into account the bolts used, what the pintle is connected to and what that is connected to. There may be a number of things that factor into the equation.
I have a Dixon Bate pintle attached to the Commodore which has a heavy duty tow kit installed. It still isn't rated to tow 3t. It is only rated to tow 2.1t.

A jigsaw is probably a good way to descibe it and each part must fit properly.

The part number for that coupling is not what is stamped on mine.

Generally speaking the max. coupling weight for any given set up is dictated by the towbar (which they don't have) and/or the coupling.

Originally Posted by rathgar

A jigsaw is probably a good way to descibe it and each part must fit properly.

The part number for that coupling is not what is stamped on mine.

Generally speaking the max. coupling weight for any given set up is dictated by the towbar (which they don't have) and/or the coupling.

And the tow bars are generally designed with the design of the tow vehicle in mind.
To give you an example, the VR Commodore is rated to tow 1600kg with the factory towbar but, if you add bracing in the boot (the upgraded towing package), with the same factory towbar the vehicle is now rated to tow 2100kg.

Looking at the Perentie, in order to fit the spare wheel between the chassis rails, the rear section connecting the rear cross member was designed with a much smaller chassis rail section. This must have a significant impact on it's towing capacity.
If you don't believe the documentation, the only way to determine the towing capacity is to have an engineer do the calculations.

Lets not forget in all of this that the civilian 110/Defenders have a rear sway bar, the military ones do not.

That fact alone could justify the low rated tow amount the army imposed on the 4x4.

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

...If you don't believe the documentation....

No documentation from the manufacturer has been found. That is my key point.

Yes there are engineering changes. I think the perentie is capable of towing significant loads.

But it not about "this is changed, that is different" or "I think this" Its about the manufactures documentation (or lack of it) not a user manual.

Part of me dosnt really care because I want a different tow hitch set up and none exists so it will need engineering anyway when I get to that.

I dont want the forums full of one (incorrect in my opinion) side of the argument.

To look at another situation;

My User documentation says "Max highway speed 100km/h".

Can I legally do 110km/hr on the freeway where the signposts say I can?

Originally Posted by BadCo.

Please don't start this argument again

This is going around in circles. Can someone please just go to an engineer and do it properly?

I think you are correct Badco the circle has been proved to be round again.

But along the way It has allowed me to investgate a few possible leads to documentation and correct an incorrect statement about a 900kg tow limit.

I will only take it up when I think there is an avenue to explore.

Thanks what a forum is about

I don't think the perentie towing capacity has anything to do with the design of the perentie. I think the perentie would easily and safely be able to tow the same as any civilian 110. I think it's got everything to do with the defence force saying alright we want to tow 900kg trailers on average, testing the vehicle for this weight with all the variables the army would have such as off-road use, fuel economy, inexperienced drivers, cowboys and everything else and going yes that is safe in all conditions that's the limit.

Badco is right there is no point debating it. If you want the towing capacity up rated you need to have it engineered even if only for insurance purposes. You don't want to have an accident with an overloaded trailer and void your insurance especially if you hurt or kill someone. I've done this on a few custom vehicles it's a relatively simple process and shouldn't be any issues just a few dollars.

To give you an idea of towing capabilities as opposed to the limit on the perentie. Even the Hyundai Santa Fe and Honda CRV can tow 2500kg's. If a workhorse like the perentie can't tow more than a tiny little soccer mum, crossover, soft-roader I'd be very surprised...

The 6x6 might be a completely different story though being a heavy vehicle and essentially a truck. At the very minimum I'd say it will be more expensive. Unless of course you have the GVM down rated so it's just a normal vehicle first but this might impact your upgraded towing capacity as well. You'd have to talk to an engineer.

Originally Posted by BushBandit

I don't think the perentie towing capacity has anything to do with the design of the perentie. I think the perentie would easily and safely be able to tow the same as any civilian 110. I think it's got everything to do with the defence force saying alright we want to tow 900kg trailers on average, testing the vehicle for this weight with all the variables the army would have such as off-road use, fuel economy, inexperienced drivers, cowboys and everything else and going yes that is safe in all conditions that's the limit.

Completely agree with this, sounds plausible and was what I was thinking when the first towing thread debate started.

Now I'm just holding out for someone to reengineer their 4x4...