Thread: Suggestion for lowering GVM and Rear Axle load when towing a van

Originally Posted by Macadamia

get the van setup to use the same wheels offset and stud pattern so they're interchangeable then carry just the two spares that can be used on either car or van instead of a van spare and two car spares. I don't know much about vanlife so not sure how difficult this would be but I know it was an option with the ultimate camper when i looked.

Yes, that would be ideal but hard to do. Seeing I had the D4 first, there was no way I'd be getting 19" wheels on the van with a LR 5 stud pattern. Such a low profile would not be ideal for the van and the cost of getting cruisemaster LR hubs would be cost prohibitive and perhaps not even available. Most off-road and semi-off road vans have 16" wheels nearly all with a Landcruiser stud pattern.

Some who have the money can comprimise with 17" wheels on car and van with same stud pattern, but this would not be an option with the D4.

Originally Posted by Xtreme

This approach is good in theory however most people will probably replace their tow vehicle without replacing the van and may then end up with a mismatch of wheels/tyre sizes.
I've only ever carried one spare wheel/tyre combination plus a tyre repair kit and, if going really remote, I carry a spare tyre without rim.

Hey Rog

I'd dearly love to carry just one spare wheel and a spare case, which is what I do whenever towing the van as a minimum on the blacktop. I get paranoid about the cost of possibly having to buy a second 19" tyre (or 18" if running the Moabs) in UpperCumbuctil West for an outrageous price. At least a case can get put on most anywhere on a rim. I have read lots of stuff on this forum and I have concluded that there is just no feasible way for me to break the bead on a D4 rim to change tyres in the scrub. This is why when really remote I just carry a full second spare. I hate lugging the extra weight but don't see any other option.

When I first got my car licence, my Dad who was a mechanic, would not let me travel on a long trip unless I demonstrated to him, not just how to swap a tyre. I had to, (in my old Hillman), crack the bead on the tyre and then using only two tyre levers and a rubber mallet, I had to remove the tube, take the tyre off the rim and then replace the lot. I ended up having to do this a few times, including once on the Strezlecki Track between Arrabury and Innamincka. Hard work but I managed to do it in the Holden Jackaroo. It's just that the D4 beads are so hard to crack I don't see any option except to carry a full second spare when remote.

Originally Posted by Briar

If you look at my calculations above, they come out much the same as yours. For a 240kg ball load, my calculation gives a 341kg rear axle load. This is because I measured with a tape measure the "overhang" on my D4, being the distance from centre of rear axle to tow ball. You got 1320mm, I got 1230mm. This accounts for the difference. The main thing is that the longer the overhang, the greater any given tow ball load will have on rear axle for any given wheelbase.

it wasn’t my intention to challenge your calculation, it was simply to offer the correct engineering formula. The 240kg ball weight was merely an example.
cheers
David

Originally Posted by Briar

Yes, that would be ideal but hard to do. Seeing I had the D4 first, there was no way I'd be getting 19" wheels on the van with a LR 5 stud pattern. Such a low profile would not be ideal for the van and the cost of getting cruisemaster LR hubs would be cost prohibitive and perhaps not even available. Most off-road and semi-off road vans have 16" wheels nearly all with a Landcruiser stud pattern.

Some who have the money can comprimise with 17" wheels on car and van with same stud pattern, but this would not be an option with the D4.

My hybrid and D4 have D4 wheels and tyres in 18s with 265/65-18

I wish!! If I measured correctly my D4 wheels will rub on my suspension due to offset. If your keeping both for any period of time I reckon it's a must do modification

Thanks OP for a novel and nice idea to reduce axle weight that im considering doing.
Plz note, if you are removing seats, legally you need to get it re-plated by an engineer.

I just removed the 2x swinging weights 'truck nuts' (harmonic damper) that are at the back bumper. Ill see if there is any noticeable difference and ill be surprised if there is, compared with the roads we drive on.

32kg ! As much as a spare tyre, and it will have greater effect on the rear axle than the spare tyre as its further from the axle, appx 1m so 42kg off the axle (x1.34)

Not sure if all models can do it as easily, 2010 L320 just 4 bolts to separate and remove.

Untitled.jpg