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TJ Tow bar rating
Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2005 2:41 pm
by postmandude
I want to get and tow a tvan with my beloved TJ and seems I have a problem with tow ratings. Ball weight is only rated at 70kegs and total weight 900. The Tvan is only 750 empty and I reckon would be less than 900 loaded but it has a ball weight of 80 kgs empty.
Can I get a stronger rated tow bar? does anyone know what or where?
Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2005 9:19 pm
by mattc
Towing weights are fixed by the manufacturer and that's pretty much the end of the story no matter what towbar you have.
You know that is 900kg braked - not unbraked.
cheers
Matt
Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 10:54 am
by postmandude
yeh, the 900 part is ok its just the 70 tow ball weight seems to be the problem.
Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 10:41 pm
by mattc
The 70kg is fixed as well and if you follow the rule of 10% of the trailer weight being the correct ball weight then really you are limited to 700kg towing capacity. You could load the camper to put more weight at the rear and bring the ball weight of the trailer back down to 70kg but it may not track well, brake well etc.
I guess the TVAN is going to just a tad too much (legally) for the TJ :(
Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 10:13 pm
by Gordo
Yeah I was always surprised Paul V made a point of towing his t-van through OBC stages with his TJ for advertising when the stupid underrated limit for a TJ couldn't legally tow it.
The guys that sell em at 4wd/van shows that show pics of Paul's Jeep advised it was for promo stuff only and were all conducted on private property.
Out of interest what's the tow limit for similar wheelbase 4x4 vehicles I wonder ? fj40, swb pajero, musso 2 door, etc
Always amazed a 4.0L, full chassis 1550kg+ 4wd vehicle has such a towing small capacity. Wonder if a rear disc upgrade makes any diff legally , prob not...
eg :
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2005 8:23 am
by PK
It's more the handling than the power of the TJ - I regularly tow a camper with mine (about 450kg empty) and I remember one particular night on the way to the Grampians - came around a corner and over a bit of a rise (so springs were loaded on one side) and a roo was sitting in the middle of the road (it was dark) so I swerved and just about lost the whole thing!!
Whatever you're towing with the TJ, take it a bit easier and allow plenty of room for braking etc.
I've also towed a lot heravier than the rating with no adverse affect, but you have to look at the legalities if you clean someone up.....
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2005 1:19 pm
by Leprecaun
I have a XJ and I can tow up to 2200kg according to the hayman reese on the back!
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2005 8:36 pm
by Gordo
PK wrote:.. so I swerved and just about lost the whole thing!!
Thats what bullbars are for
would rather scratch a skip than lose a car/van
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2005 10:04 pm
by mattc
Out of interest what's the tow limit for similar wheelbase 4x4 vehicles I wonder ? fj40, swb pajero, musso 2 door, etc
Gordo, you forgot to mention the mightly Mahindra! 1773kg braked!
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2005 10:32 pm
by millhouse
the english jeep web has the tj rated @ 1700kgs
WTF
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2005 11:09 pm
by mattc
Actually it's better than that
From
www.jeep.co.uk
Maximum towing capacity (braked trailor) 1920 kg
From
www.jeep.comTowing Capacity - Maximum (Properly Equipped) [lb] 2000
...that's about 900kg
From
www.jeep.com.auTow Capacity -- Maximum 900 with brakes
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 11:15 am
by postmandude
Thanks guys, looks like I am f****ed. Might need to go to a XJ or does anyone know if the "unlimited" is coming Australia?
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 8:08 pm
by mattc
....or look at a lighter trailer???