Thread: Towing with a Defender?

Originally Posted by bee utey

Trailer braking rules were made to apply to all road-registered trailers quite some years ago. Owners of boat trailers especially kicked up a fuss and given an extended time to comply but now all trailers must comply or else. My mate got some special stainless disc brakes on his boat trailer with cable operated calipers so he is legal with his old boat. And a friend of my wife has her ancient heavy 3-horse float converted to break-away to make it legal.

A bit like the new rules for little kids in pre-seat-belt cars: there are no longer any exceptions.

I would assume that there would be a weight point that these break away units become mandatory as I have never seen one on small trailers.

Dave.

There is a thread somewhere on this forum about a D1 Tdi that had a bigger cooler,pump tweak Etc as well as 4.11 diffs with oversize tyres that towed an RRC from down Goulburn way back to Sydney and it did it easy with very low numbers in engine temp,EGT's and fuel use.It might pay to do a search and see if you can find it. Pat

Originally Posted by bee utey

Trailer braking rules were made to apply to all road-registered trailers quite some years ago. Owners of boat trailers especially kicked up a fuss and given an extended time to comply but now all trailers must comply or else. My mate got some special stainless disc brakes on his boat trailer with cable operated calipers so he is legal with his old boat. And a friend of my wife has her ancient heavy 3-horse float converted to break-away to make it legal.

A bit like the new rules for little kids in pre-seat-belt cars: there are no longer any exceptions.

I would assume that there would be a weight point that these break away units become mandatory as I have never seen one on small trailers.

Dave.

Originally Posted by Mr Whippy

I would assume that there would be a weight point that these break away units become mandatory as I have never seen one on small trailers.

Dave.

Any trailer capable of over 2,000kg IIRC.

Originally Posted by seano87

Any trailer capable of over 2,000kg IIRC.

yep, any trailer over 2000kg breakaway brakes, brakes on every axle and brakes that can be controlled from within the tow vehicle cabin. Usually means electric or vacuum operated brakes.

OK, after much running around and enquiring from just about every place that should or could be able to assist, I am quite satisfied that I can tow (carefully) what I want with the recommendations of all those that have very kindly offered their advice on this forum. The only thing that I have not been able to get past is the ball weight issue. Landrover tell me that the ball weight is only a recommendation, not a law, due to the suspension, which can be addressed by uprgrading such. Fine, but my towbar (Trail Boss) states a maximum ball load of 175kg. Hayman Reese towbars are rated at 250 kg ball weight so they tell me. Does any manufacturer make a towbar to fit a vehicle which is both capable and legally allowed to tow 3500 kg that can carry 10% of such towed weight on the ball which is what is recognized as what is needed to be safe, and which any properly built caravan would be designed to have on the ball? Simply put, a towbar to fit a Defender that can both pull 3500kg and have 350 kg on the ball? I have learnt that this has been discussed to death over the years on forums, but I have not yet found a resolution. I would really appreciate some more help here.

I think if you wanted to tow that weight a pindal hook would be the go. Pat

Originally Posted by tolemac

OK, after much running around and enquiring from just about every place that should or could be able to assist, I am quite satisfied that I can tow (carefully) what I want with the recommendations of all those that have very kindly offered their advice on this forum. The only thing that I have not been able to get past is the ball weight issue. Landrover tell me that the ball weight is only a recommendation, not a law, due to the suspension, which can be addressed by uprgrading such. Fine, but my towbar (Trail Boss) states a maximum ball load of 175kg. Hayman Reese towbars are rated at 250 kg ball weight so they tell me. Does any manufacturer make a towbar to fit a vehicle which is both capable and legally allowed to tow 3500 kg that can carry 10% of such towed weight on the ball which is what is recognized as what is needed to be safe, and which any properly built caravan would be designed to have on the ball? Simply put, a towbar to fit a Defender that can both pull 3500kg and have 350 kg on the ball? I have learnt that this has been discussed to death over the years on forums, but I have not yet found a resolution. I would really appreciate some more help here.

The 10% ballweight guideline is something that was once plucked from thin air. It's not necessary or even sensible for large loads.
Placing 350kg down on your towball would create a lot of problems, the least of which is the attitude of the tow vehicle (rear down, nose up, light steering and braking).