Thread: Towbar Height

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Isn't the real issue about whether there is enough towball weight to keep the trailer stable while towing? Raising the tow hitch too far by reversing the towbar to get more height might reduce the towball weight and make the trailer unstable. Of course, that all depends on the standard height and the weight distribution in the trailer.
That said, I have run our Disco (which has a 50mm lift) with the towbar both ways around, reversing it to raise the towbar when I needed extra ground clearance over sand for the Treg hitch, and it didn't seem to make any difference, but that was not at highway speeds.
Incidentally, on Saturday I saw a lifted Patrol towing a little trailer and the trailer was lifted so much at the front for the towball on the jacked up Parol that the back of the trailer banged on a speed hump in a shopping centre car park!


Sent from my GT-P5210 using AULRO mobile app

If it is a leaf sprung caravan or trailer, the ball weight will generally increase as the nose is lifted. Forcing the trailer back on to the springs, loads the springs up, and with a caravan can increase sway as weight is transferred back. If you have a ballweight scale, try it on your own vans.
A trailer or van should be towed level, unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise. I understand there are a few caravans out there where the manufacturer actually recommends a slight nose down attitude. You will undoubtedly here campfire chat, where some owners say they are deliberately setting the nose down to reduce wind resistance and save fuel. ( I have no opinion on that one ....yet )

My understanding of the height regulations is that they refer to "The tow-ball" if you have a Treg or any of the other hitch's around these days it does not apply !
Will stand correcting on that but am sure that is correct, my van came supplied new from the factory with a hitch height of 560mm ! ??
Suited the cruiser fine and as it turned out suits the Disco with an inverted hitch spot on.

DD

P.S. Edit. I have fully load sharing tandem, it makes no difference to ball weight or wheel weights what height the ball is tho I always set it up to be level if not then slightly nose down but level preferably. DD

Originally Posted by Epic

We're buying our first camper and take delivery in October. The bottom part if the treg coupling will sit at 470mm according to the manufacturer. They wouldn't get a road worthy tick if they were outside or the regulation.

Don't bet the farm on that one

Here is the national standard for 50 mm ball couplings.


Coupling Height -50mm Ball Couplings
Ball couplings used on trailers with an ATM of up to 3.5 tonnes must comply with Australian Standard 4177-3 and be installed so that when the coupling and towball are connected to the laden towing vehicle; the height to the centre of the tow ball above the ground shall measure between 350mm and 460mm (or be capable of being adjusted).

I have asked the RTA if this standard applies to other couplings especially off road and I have not been able to get a straight answer from them. Usually they start off by saying it must be less than 460 mm as per the standard. Then when you remind them that it says for 50 mm Ball couplings and your asking about a different coupling they usually start to make strange noises and go round in circles while making no sense. I have tried three or four times to get a straight answer and never have.

Set to access height when being measured...

I have never been able to get a straight answer on the (or capable of being adjusted) line at the end of the standards means either.

I asked does it mean if its capable of being adjusted then it can be towed at a higher height or not?

Can anyone explain the definition of OFFROAD when it comes to towing

Originally Posted by Redback

Can anyone explain the definition of OFFROAD when it comes to towing

I think the technical term is non gazzetted road. It would probably pay to get a definition from your particular insurance company