Thread: Weight distribution hitch

Hi Neil
Welcome to AULRO.COM.


Lots of D2 owners on here use WDH's,,,

Its using them with air suspension that creates havoc,,,
I dont particularly agree with the concept but,, its not my car.

If it is a Land Rover towbar it is also not recommended. If you have a Hayman Reece bar it is OK.

Having said that I also agree with Pedro. A properly set up van shouldn't require extra bits to make it towable.

Thanks for the advice. I am currently towing a 16 1/2ft pop top, but I am looking for a 19 to 20ft full van. I don't have air suspension so that shouldn't be a problem. I think I'll wait until I get the new van and see how it tows.

I have a 16ft Windsor Sunchaser goes 1.7 odd tonne fully loaded with 210kg on the ball. Have no problems towing with air suspension.
Put air bags in the coils. You loose turning circle and clearance with the wdh.

Tony

I agree with Tony, I used to tow a 1.8T Jayco 17' poptop with no need to ever consider a WDH. I added bags to keep the car level and ensured the tow-ball weight was as low as possible. You are allowed 250kg, I kept mine to around 190/200kg by balancing the load in the van, admittedly the van was tandem axle with a ball weight of 175kg empty.

Ball weight should be 10% of total weight of van so if van is 1.8 ton ball weight should be 180 KG.

Dave.

Originally Posted by Mr Whippy

Ball weight should be 10% of total weight of van so if van is 1.8 ton ball weight should be 180 KG.

Dave.

The above is an urban myth.

why anyone believes its ok to place THAT much weight on a tow hitch is beyond me,,

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

The above is an urban myth.

why anyone believes its ok to place THAT much weight on a tow hitch is beyond me,,

The NSW RTA have a information pamphlet on towing trailers, and in that it even states as a general rule, towball load should be 5-10% total trailer mass.

Which is all a little ridiculous if you have a 3t trailer, I sure wouldn't be wanting up to a 300kg load on the ball. I think 5% is about all it ever should be.

Slightly off topic but still related - at times I tow a rowing boat trailer - 12.5m trailer, 13.5m with rear overhang when loaded, between 2-3t depending on load. Such a trailer is custom made, if it were to be made strictly according to ADR's, the axles have to be so far back that the ball weight was going to be about 450kg unless huge dead weights were put into the rear of the trailer. Needless to say rowing boat trailers are never 'quite' within allowed dimensions... btw I tow that with a S1 Discovery, no load distribution hitch - handles surprisingly well, overall towball load is usually around 150kg. Use polyair bags to maintain levelness.

Seano