Thread: Tow ball weight

A Range Rover's non-reinforced monocoque body when fitted with an aftermarket (add-on) tow bar is limited to 250kg tongue weight with any loading above 120kg affecting the rear axle load allowance.

The genuine Westfalia tow bar is integral to the monocoque body; it strengthens the body and the strengthened body is designated (by Westfalia) to allow trailers up to 3.5t with 350kg tongue weight. Most Westfalia Gmbh tow bars are fitted in-factory during manufacture with 12 horizontal and 8 vertical bolts. The L322 rear axle maximum load is reduced by the mass of the tow bar, tongue and ball (~33kg) from 1850kg to 1817kg.


Tow bar down-loads up to 350kg are allowed ONLY at 283 to 304mm from the holding pin; this puts the ball close to the rear bumper, but you can't have everything.
However the L322 rear axle load (1817kg) must be further reduced by the actual down-load amount.

The centre of a 50mm tow ball should be held no more than 20.5mm above the centre of the receiver, and no lower than 66.5mm below it. On my Hayman Reese 3.5t, 5 position height and tilt adjustable hitch the overall rig self-leveled with the van tilted down to the tow hitch ~10mm. So I had the suspension's standard height raised by 10mm. Tows great with and without a weight distribution harness but braking feels more in-control with the WDH.


So, in summary -
Range Rover says 250kg for no-name tow hitches, but Westfalia says 350kg with its custom designed, factory or dealer fitted version.
Re-programming the 'standard height' a little makes a discernible difference to a van's stance.
Auto leveling may reduce the need for Weight Distribution Hitches while pulling, but they sure make the whole rig handle better under brakes.

bye.

If Land Rover state 250kg (which they do) then that's it. It is the lowest number from all the numbers specified.

Manual for 2004 states:
Maximum tow hitch load (Nose weight)
If the vehicle is loaded to the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), the nose weight is limited to 150 kg. If a
greater nose weight is necessary (up to 250 kg maximum), vehicle loading should be adjusted to
ensure the GVW and rear axle weights are not exceeded - see the vehicle/trailer/tow hitch chart in
‘Technical Data’.

I can confirm that in QLD the transport inspectors don't look at all these fine prints mentioned here claiming 350kg - they have a database populated by the manufacturers - and for the L322 it says 250kg - so unless it's got a blue plate (doubt there is even a code for this) that's what their fines are issues on.

That's what the vehicles were compliance at - remember the F250 balls-up??? The first ones came in and were inspected with 3500/350 plates on the towbar - that's what the authorities wrote on the paperwork, ford rep signed it and it was locked in. Ford Aus had to og through the entire compliance process again several months later when the towing public started asking questions - just to get the towing limit complianced at 4500 in the transport databases - even though the owners' manual stated 4500 all along, the first F250 sold are only legal to 3500

Originally Posted by jacobraftery

Appreciate the further instructions Harlie.

You said originally that the battery (on the L322) would need to be disconnected when fitting the weight distribution hitch,
does this need to be done everytime? or once you have it properly marked, should you be able to fit it without a battery disconnect?

you're over cooking it, just have the engine off, drop the van hitch onto the back, it cant pump up as engine off, crank the bars up, then start the car and it will level normally.

Some model L322s will raise to level the vehicle even with the engine stopped if the reservoir has adequate pressure, but to prevent adjustment, open a door then select a higher or lower height. L322 suspension system operation can be quite different to the L319/L320.

Originally Posted by Graeme

Some model L322s will raise to level the vehicle even with the engine stopped if the reservoir has adequate pressure, but to prevent adjustment, open a door then select a higher or lower height. L322 suspension system operation can be quite different to the L319/L320.

even with ignition off ? i have l320 so i guess thats why. the door trick works too for me, but i guess you will find out if you put the weight on and anything happens or not...