Front axle max weight (pls check my maths)

[mike7]

Hi all,

Wanting to install a bull bar with winch from OL and have been advised the total extra weight will be 100kg hanging in front of car.

looking at the manual I just wanted to make sure my maths is right so if you guys could check and comment it would be appreciated.

Kerb - 2546kg (apparently 49% weight is on front axle and 51% rear)

So 2546 x .49 = 1248 is “kerb” weight on axle (max allowed is 1450kg)

Payload avail on front axle 1450 - 1248 = 202kg

If the bar/winch is 100kg it looks like I’m sailing pretty close to the wind with 2 adults in the front seat as I’m left with about 100kg payload after fitting a bar. I know some of the pax weight will be on the rear wheels but most of it is on the front.

Do these numbers make sense? From a legal perspective it looks like bar and only driver will be it.

mike

[W&KO]

I’d suggest running it over a weigh bridge than you have the exact numbers...than work from there.

It would be best if you load the car up as if you were going away including all passengers than you’ll be on the money.

[mike7]

I’m trying to sort out the weights before I commit to fitting a bar as once it’s done it’s a one way ticket.

If my calcs are correct/ballpark I won’t go ahead with the install as I’ll be overweight with 2 people in the front seat.

[Tombie]

You need to factor the weight lost from the factory bar and backing mounts.

Winch needs synthetic rope to keep weight down.

And as mentioned above - you need to weigh it if you’re concerned....

[W&KO]

I’m trying to sort out the weights before I commit to fitting a bar as once it’s done it’s a one way ticket.

If my calcs are correct/ballpark I won’t go ahead with the install as I’ll be overweight with 2 people in the front seat.

That’s why I suggested over a weigh bridge before you fit the bar....otherwise it’s all just guessing

[mike7]

I wish ther

[Mike.C]

Thought this might help.

Our car: D4 3L fitted with ARB bar, Optima second battery, Full APT under body protection, Full length Rhino Roof rack mounted on backbone, Darche 180 degree awning on LHS, Bushman fridge in rear, 1/4 tank of fuel, Me in the drivers seat (72kg).

Front axle load: 1381Kg
Rear Axle Load: 1491kg
GVM: 2872kg

[mike7]

Hi Mike,

thanks for the info, that gives me hope that I’ll be within limits, just to confirm that was measured on a weight bridge? As mentioned above the only way Im going to know is to have the car weighed.

I was planning the APT underbody protection and their rock sliders as well

[gavinwibrow]

This may help, or just confuse - from when I went on the weighbridge a couple of months ago - just otherwise empty car and excluding me.

2.7 MY10 6 speed (allowed weights below).

Full 170L long range tank, rear spare wheel carrier, full length tradesman roof rack with ARB touring side awning, 2 camping LEDs and 2 fold down aerials, rock sliders, roof steps on rear door, APT compressor guard, ARB bull bar and Runva 1100 winch, oversize 285/60R 18 tyres on LR alloy rims.
Front 1.40 (max allowed 1450), rear 1.55 (max allowed 1855), so total 2.95 (max allowed 3240).

So, for my impending trip with 2 people and 6th wheel added to the roof towards the rear and about 200kg on the towball, the middle row seats are out and all non essential stuff is in the van, not in the car. Luckily we had about extra 500 kg leeway in the van after upping the max from 3000 to 3500 when we bought/registered "The Brick".

[gavinwibrow]

And have you seen Greg's excellent spreadsheet in #6 of this thread
Have I got my weight sums right?