Thread: Tow Ball weights.

I speak of Qld rules, but others may be similar. If the GCVM (gross combined vehicle mass) goes over 4.5 tonne then there are also some licencing issues. Technically, as I understand it, you can only have a total (car & trailer) of 4500kgs on a "car" licence.

paul

Thanks very much for all the info gentlemen, ,It is a very interesting senario, i think i'm all right , with what i'm towing, but jeez you need to be carefull with the big weights looking at all this?.

Cheers Sumo

Firstly the D1 has the same handbook statement - that the recommended max vertical ball weight is 150kg (not 120kg as someone said earlier)

Also, it is my understanding that to be 'legal', and therefore covered by insurance - you must keep your caravan vertical towball weight less than the hitch limit (dependant on hitch design and varies with manufacturers) AND less than the manufactures limit. ie 150kg for the 130 and D1. I.e. which ever is the lesser.

The interesting thing is that the D1 handbooks go on to specify a rear axle load that 'must not be exceeded' (which, for the D1 is 1600kg from memory - there by allowing the possibility of much higher ball weights providing the rear cargo load is not excessive)

Now to the definition of what is 'legal' - I suspect that a lawyer could argue that it's not the 'recommendation' statement that applies in the strict letter of the law, i.e. 150kg, rather it's the 'shall not exceed' axle load statement. And thats the problem - if you have an accident you will need a lawyer to defend this interpretation in a court.

I have recently emailed 8 different insurers, including the RAC's legal advice, and they all said that their interpretation is the 'recommended' statement, i.e. 150kg, and would consider the vehicle 'illegal' with a higher tow ball limit.

If I had a lawyer mate - I'd risk the interpretation and a visit to court, however I dont and I'm not prepared to risk having to fork out big $$$ to pay a lawyer in the case of an insurance claim, so I just accept the 'recommended' limit'

Originally Posted by Taz

Firstly the D1 has the same handbook statement - that the recommended max vertical ball weight is 150kg (not 120kg as someone said earlier)

Also, it is my understanding that to be 'legal', and therefore covered by insurance - you must keep your caravan vertical towball weight less than the hitch limit (dependant on hitch design and varies with manufacturers) AND less than the manufactures limit. ie 150kg for the 130 and D1. I.e. which ever is the lesser.

The interesting thing is that the D1 handbooks go on to specify a rear axle load that 'must not be exceeded' (which, for the D1 is 1600kg from memory - there by allowing the possibility of much higher ball weights providing the rear cargo load is not excessive)

Now to the definition of what is 'legal' - I suspect that a lawyer could argue that it's not the 'recommendation' statement that applies in the strict letter of the law, i.e. 150kg, rather it's the 'shall not exceed' axle load statement. And thats the problem - if you have an accident you will need a lawyer to defend this interpretation in a court.

I have recently emailed 8 different insurers, including the RAC's legal advice, and they all said that their interpretation is the 'recommended' statement, i.e. 150kg, and would consider the vehicle 'illegal' with a higher tow ball limit.

If I had a lawyer mate - I'd risk the interpretation and a visit to court, however I dont and I'm not prepared to risk having to fork out big $$$ to pay a lawyer in the case of an insurance claim, so I just accept the 'recommended' limit'

My disco says 150 but the defender is 175.The legal issue is something that 200 series cruiser owners have got alot to worry about as you can't keep them under GVM or towing limit.The first one to crash and the owners taken to court will open a can of worms. Pat

Slightly off thread....... what are the legalities when you use a load distributing hitch ?

Lets say my Defender tow bar is rated for 200Kg ball weight but my camper trailer has a ball weight of 220Kg. If I install a load distributing hitch you effectively level the car by distributing some of the weight to the front axle and the trailer axle. Does this now mean it's 'legal' to tow ??
Problem is how do you now measure the 'effective' ball weight when the load distributing hitch is fitted & tensioned up ?

I faced this problem a few years ago because the Defender 300Tdi can tow 3,500kgs but max ball weight is 200Kg. Ford Territory can tow 2,300Kgs with a max ball weight of 230kg (with load distributing hitch fitted). Camper is very close to 200Kg ball weight.

Colin

Originally Posted by slug_burner

Most (if not all) 50 mm towballs are rated to a maximum of 3500 kg. If you want to tow something heavier you have to go to a pintle hook or a 70 mm towball.

My hayman reece towbar is rated to 4000 kg however I think they now only rate them to 3500 kg.

I looked at all the tow balls at work and on my Disco today and........

Ive got some at work that are rated at 2.5 ton which are super cheap ones just for the motor bike trailers and smaller trailered equipment (150kg max weight)

1 that is 3500kg on the course ute

And the one on my Disco is 5000kg stamped on top.

If ball weight is only 150kg's then your standard bathroom scales should surfice.

I have only ever checked ball weight on an F350 which was set up for towing and it was for a triaxel van that had a GvM of around 4500kg's and the ball weight was around 350kgs and I really noticed it was there behind the F truck.

The main problem was the Hydraulically operated veranda/Deck that slid out from under the chassis which weighed about a tonne it self.

With weight distribution hitches I would just put the scales on a trolley jack and lift it to be just contacting under the towball on the hitch on the car with the trailer lifted off.

Zero the scales and then lower the trailer onto the hitch and look to see what the ball weight is, and then hook up your weight ditributing bars and see what difference it makes.

I would try a few different chain settings if you can to see what gives the best effect.

I havnt tried this but it is how I would try to do it.

If a Disco ball weight is only 150kg's then I will have to disconnect the trailer next time I use the tow bar to climb up on top as I weight 120kgs lol

This site Towing Guide has most of the answers:

Maximum Trailer Mass

Throughout Australia, the allowable maximum mass for the trailer is either the capacity of the tow vehicle's towing attachment or the towing limit specified by the vehicle manufacturer for the towing vehicle, whichever is the least.

The Tow Ball

Tow balls suitable for weights of up to 3,500kgs must be 50mm in diameter and should comply with Australian Standard 4177-2. The tow ball must be a one-piece element, the shank of which should be 22.2mm in diameter. The top face of the sphere should be clearly stamped with the capacity (3.5 t) and tow ball diameter (50). The tow ball unit must be fitted to the vehicle with a locking washer and an appropriately sized nut. According to the Australian Standard 4177.2 the manufacturer's name or trademark must also be stamped on the flange of the tow ball.

Can't find anything concrete on ball weight though - however as for the first section - I am sure it would be something like: "the weight specified by the vehicle manufacturer or the towbar manufacturer whichever is the least"