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Towbar Limits
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 8:32 am
by n_dorphin
Hey All,
I have a towbar fitted to my Pajero.
Mine only has 4 Bolts which attach to the plate in the back bumper.
I have seen towbars that also mount to the chassis.
Anyone know what weight i can safely tow?
Thanks
Jason
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 9:55 am
by Bitsamissin
Well in my NH owners handbook it lists 3 factory towing packages :-
(1) 1200kg for base model swb & lwb
= 700kg without trailer brakes
= 1200kg with trailer brakes
(2) 1500kg for GLX & GLS swb & lwb
= 700kg without trailer brakes
= 1500kg with trailer brakes
(3) 2250kg for all models except swb GL
= 700kg without trailer brakes
= 2250kg with trailer brakes
It is possible to tow 2500kg (maximum tow rating) but a load equalizer needs to be fitted.
Mine had the 4 bolt one like you have and it has 1500kg maximum load rating stamped on it so it was option 2.
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 11:38 am
by -Scott-
I've got a Hayman-Reese which bolts on there - 1200kg trailer mass, 80kg ball load.
Cheers,
Scott
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 12:36 pm
by n_dorphin
What is meant by ball load?
All i tow is a 500kg boat (+ trailer)
Thanks Guys
Jason
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 6:55 pm
by -Scott-
Ball load is the force pushing down on the ball. There's a "theory" going around that 10% of the trailer mass should be ball load, to keep things stable. But ball load also adds to the payload of the towing vehicle i.e is acts as additional weight on the rear suspension.
A 500kg trailer shouldn't be an issue for my towbar, and I doubt it would be an issue for your. If you can lift the nose of your trailer with one arm you'll be fine. If it needs two arms, break out your bathroom scales (or eat more Weetbix
). If you can't lift it at all, either your trailer is horribly unbalanced, or you''re in a world of trouble when your power steering fails.
Cheers,
Scott
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 9:13 pm
by "CANADA"
its all the position of the axles and your weight distribution that effects you ball load
Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2005 11:34 pm
by Zute
My Hayman reese Bolts to the chassis and I use it to tow a house float. Its ball rating is 250kgs. I have a 3litre NJ LWB.
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 6:40 am
by n_dorphin
Thats great guys,
thanks for the info.
I would like to say that this a great site and has very helpful members
Well Done.
Jason