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.
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