Thread: Confused - D3/D4/RRS Towball Weight

Doh...

That's what i have found also, that there is no published figures.
so as much as we talk of documented weights, balances and legalites, we all have to go back to phiscially weighing our vehicles to ensure we are within the guidlines of safety.
Unfortunately weighing a vehicle is not as easy as getting the scales from the bathroom.
That freind who owns his own weigh bridge just became a much better freind....

Cheers
Will

I'd counter that blithely using some published figure to calculate your safety margin, that doesn't include that rear A/C you fitted, or the entertainment pack, or the eLocker etc etc, is the worse offence. Public weighbridges don't cost much. Use them.

Or for a minimal figure, take half the vehicle mass (Mowog's "doh!"), subtract from max rear axle load and use that, knowing that there is a reasonable safety margin.

Cheers,

Gordon

I posted and forgot to engage my brain when typing... So Doh....!

Perhaps what is needed is more training followed my more regulation enforcement when it comes to weghts and loads.
having said that as part of that enforcement should also come easy accesability to tools such as weigh bridges. perhaps this should be funded/supplied by the relevant registration authorities in eahc state ie RTA, Vic roads etc. We all pay enough in taxes and registrations that this sort of facility should be readily availible and not cost the earth.
Drivers (maybe not the converted and interested in this forum) irresponsibly drive around with 6.5 - 7 tonne combinations with no training or education on the effects of those loads. I personally am sensitive to this, we used to tow our 3 tonne van with a mitsubishi triton.... which demanded all things be right.
could write more of a novel but war and peace this is not

Cheers
Will

Originally Posted by garrycol

Who says it is?? Hence the question what does "your" handbook actually say.

The two D3 pdfs I have put up are from Australian Handbooks.

Garry

Garry,

For my 2008-09 TDV8 page 189 of the manual indicates that nose weight "Must be a minimum of 7% gross trailer weight, up to a maximum of 350kg. This is under the heading of Australia Only. (whole section from Topix)

However, I am not sure if this can be correctly interpreted as LR condoning a 350kg ball weight for an RRS, or that is a statutory limit for (this class) of vehicle provided it doesn't exceed the manufacturer's specification?? BUT, it doesn't actually say that!

Of course, as others have noted the 3500kg stamps are all over the hitch and tongue. but I think it only confuses the issue. So I have taken the 250kg ball weight as the practical maximum. When you think about it, an actual 350kg ball weight would very seriously limit what else you can carry in the vehicle.

FYI, I have attached the entire Towing section of the manual.

Cheers,
John ...

Hello John,

Re the specs from the manual of the minimum ball weight of 7% and.a max of 350 kg. I would think that these are LR's own specifications. The 10% ball weight everyone talks about is not set in law it is just an accepted and now recommended ball weight.

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong but I have never seen or heard of another vehicle manufacturer who stipulates a certain percentage of a trailers/vans weight be applied as the minimum ball weight.

Thanks for putting that up, more than likely just proves that most of us don't but should read the information supplied by the manufacturer.

Cheers,
Terry

just loaded up and drive off i say........thats probably what 90% of us do

why, just about nobody goes to the trouble to weigh there rigs and trailers......i have a weigh bridge at work and although i have weighed the defer i haven't weighted my complete setup