Thread: Towage at the Ball

Hi Crawfy

I must say that I completely understand your frustration. Unfortunately all series 1 Discos are limited to a Static Weight on the ball of 150kg, despite what may be printed on the towbar sticker (if it says anything different). :x I have seen this discussion many times now and it appears that in the UK trailers are set up with a much lighter load balance on the ball and the 150kg limit is not a problem over there. I don't know how they can tow like that, it just seems bloody dangerous to me! In Australia it is generally accepted (or required in some States) that the static weight is 9% or 10% of the trailer weight. That means the theoretical maximum trailer weight for your Disco is 1500kg. Or to put it another way, that Hayman Reese towbar you might have that has a plate on it that says 150kg static & 4000kg trailer weight, is an absolute joke. A 4000kg trailer with only 150kg on the towball is an accident just waiting to happen. 8O

Anyway, that doesn't solve your problem. The only solution is to use a load levelling hitch (or buy a series 2 Disco with a 250kg capacity).

If it's any consolation, my Defender also has a maximum static weight of 150kg. Landrover now advertise that limit to be 250kg for new Defenders, but someone I know of recently (within the last 12 months) took delivery of a new Defender and it has a factory sticker on it that says 150kg again!! :?

To irritate you a bit more, if that's possible, I recently checked the specs. of an 80 series Landcruiser and it has a static weight limit of 350kg with a maximum trailer weight of 3500kg. Stangely the static is exactly 10% of the total, who'd have thought eh? :roll: But is it really twice as good as a Defender for towing? Legally it is.


Paul [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

Doh
Look's lke the Crawf will have to look at a Kimberley Camper!!!!!! 8)
Fell in love with one recently, but can't remember the weght at the ball?
Look's like she who must be obeyed isn't getting the Jayco she liked [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif[/img]
Gotta get lucky every now and then !!!!! 8)

crawfy

Check a little further. The "around 10%" of aggregate trailer mass (ATM) on towball for towing "rule" is not "law" - it is the conventional wisdow on safe towing that is reflected in advice from State transport authorities across Australia. You might well find that a figure of around 7% is fine and safe (particularly if coupled with a weight distribution hitch) which would give you an ATM of around 2100 kg. That should be in the Jayco range. ATM is the loaded weight of your trailer as supported by its axel/s and the tow hitch. All this despite the 150 kg towball weight limit.

Crawfy

All is not lost. As I mentioned, and so did Myles, the problem can be fixed by using a "load levelling device" or "weight distribution hitch" (depending on who you buy it from). Something like the one produced by Hayman Reese will do the job. My father purchased this very item about 18 months ago to solve the same problem for his Pajero with his Jayco caravan. From memory I think it cost around $600.

see here

Myles

I follow your point and agree that 7% weight on the hitch might still be quite reasonable. However, many of the things we tow don't give us much opportunity to manipulate the hitch weight because they are constructed to balance about 10% on the hitch. Dad's Jayco from memory was about 180kg on the hitch unladen. Now I know that can be balanced by loading your gear at the back of the van to take some weight off the hitch, but it's far from the ideal way.


Paul [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

Um hey you guy's can't you see that the Crawf is keen on the Kimberly :wink: And the Jayco ( With shower!!!!!) just dosn't fit into the Crawfs dream towing unit!!! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img] She might like it, I'm payin for it!!! So when I explained the stuff about static weights and legalities of it ( left out the levelling stuff) thing's were lookin good for a KImberly [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img] If she reads this stuff I might now have to look at the Jayco!! Doh [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif[/img]
[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

Excuse my ignorance guys but what are the ramifications to exceeding the static weight limit? Bouncy front wheels? Sudden loss of steering?

Cameron

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>Excuse my ignorance guys but what are the ramifications to exceeding the static weight limit? Bouncy front wheels? Sudden loss of steering?[/b][/quote]

Hi Cameron

I'm sure our Landrovers can handle well in excess of the stated weight limit without any effect on drivability. The primary concern for me is simply that it will void your insurance if you have and accident.



Paul [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

I reckon the ball weight may be rated on those crappy looking factory bars that the poms use, they look pretty weak. I've got "trail boss" and it is stamped 175kg. I pull a Jayco swan camper van it has claimed weight of about 100kg but I reckon mine might be more with the load in it. It tows fine and hardly drops the rear of the car, I've got a set of standard height Kingsprings in it which are just a bit heavier than stock and probably lift it 15-20mm un loaded.