Confused - D3/D4/RRS Towball Weight

Well if it isn't 350 kg then I guess there will be a number of large and very expensive class actions against LR Australia and its dealers for providing false information to people who purchased D3/4's for the purpose of towing large vans.

I can remember asking a salesman at Trivetts when I looked at a new D4 about a year ago about the ball weight and he confirmed it was 350kg, so chances are everyone who has asked that question would have been told the same.

Lets wait and see until tomorrow when at least a few people who have read this thread ring and ask for written clarification on the Australian Tow Ball max weight for D3/4/RRS's to see what's actually correct.

My guess, this is a storm in a tea cup.


cheers,
Terry

Whilst my D4 handbook has the 150 kg / 250 kg specs, it also has an "Australia only" section that states the nose weight can be up to 350 kg.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TerryO

My guess, this is a storm in a tea cup.


cheers,
Terry

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Not a storm just a conflict of information.

The Australian Handbook should list the correct information but seems to vary between 150kg to 350kg - certainly not consistent.

In legal terms if there is an accident - who will authorities believe - the dealer told me it is 350kg or the official Landrover Handbook which says 250kg or whatever.

I would just like to know what is the correct figure - the handbook supplied with my car says 250kg not the expected 350kg.

Garry

I dont own either a d3/4 or a rrs is it right to compare them as according to the sheets garry linked to they have different max rear axle loads as well as tow ball weights the RRS is less than the d3/4?:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by garrycol

In legal terms if there is an accident - who will authorities believe - the dealer told me it is 350kg or the official Landrover Handbook which says 250kg or whatever.

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In your position I would quote the dealer's 350kg and would not produce a version of the handbook that says otherwise. The handbooks for the latest RRS may be similar to the D4 handbook which states 350kg for Australia. Someone with a current model RRS might like to check their handbook for you, even sending you a copy of the relevant page to insert into your handbook.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Graeme

Whilst my D4 handbook has the 150 kg / 250 kg specs, it also has an "Australia only" section that states the nose weight can be up to 350 kg.

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As does mine.
With the proviso that once GVM is reached, it drops to 150kg.

As cross reference, the Vehicle Towing Mass Guide (May 2011 version) lists D3 & D4 as 350kg Max, with sub-note of 'GVM & Axle loads not to be exceeded'
(RRS has an extra sub-note of 'Must be a minimum of 7% of the Aggregate Trailer Mass up to a maximum of 350kg. If the ball mass exceeds 150kg, adjust the interior load so as not to exceed the axle loads.')

Is there a label on the car anywhere to advise - my old Nissan used to have one on the drivers door, but I can't find anything obvious on the D4??

Thanks for that link - I guess the issue is using generic Handbooks for vehicles is the issue. My handbook does not have an Australian supplement but I see on Topix that later VINs do have a Supplement dealing with Aust towing..

So I guess the 350kg tow ball limit is it if it is in supplements.

Thanks for all the input.

Cheers

Garry

Quote:

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Originally Posted by garrycol

Thanks for that link - I guess the issue is using generic Handbooks for vehicles is the issue. My handbook does not have an Australian supplement but I see on Topix that later VINs do have a Supplement dealing with Aust towing..

So I guess the 350kg tow ball limit is it if it is in supplements.

Thanks for all the input.

Cheers

Garry

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That's the case regardless of the vehicle, because your ball weight is included in your GVW, in the casr of the D3/D4, Tare is 2480, GVW is 3240, which gives you 760 load max, take 350 off that, leaves you your max luggage carrying ability.

To confuse matters, the D2 is different again, to tow at the max for it at 3500 and 250 ball weight, no luggage is allowed, only a passeger, and as you reduce the tow weight, an increase of luggage weight is allowed.

Baz.

Just wondering if anyone is using a 350kg ball weight , been thinking about this as it is an enormus omount weight to be hanging off the back of any normal 4x4 vehicle , some scarey facts , 350kg can = some of the following , 350lts or 77gallons of water ,:eek: just imagine nearly 2x200 ltr drums sitting on your towball , 771 pounds , or a third the weight of a Hyundi Getz the mind boggles. this can not leave much usable carrying capacity for any thing much else !! :confused: . Would hate to have to leave the beer behind .

It appears to be the tongue which is the limiting factor.
Aus/NZ got the receiver for the square tube, it has "350kg max" or something like that cast into it.

The long tongue with a ball on the end I imagine would have some lower rating cast in, but I have yet to see one in person.

350kg is about 7 strong people to lift the trailer off the ball.