Weight distribution hitch

Jamjar · Senior Member

Weight distribution hitch

D and D · Guru

Ball weight should be specified on the compliance plate fitted to the caravan by the manufacturer.

Dave

Jamjar · Senior Member

I don't have a compliance plate, all in engaved into the draw bar. So, what am i looking for?

J.

-- Edited by Jamjar on Friday 27th of November 2015 12:12:41 PM

D and D · Guru

Without the compliance plate you'd have to go back to the manufacturer to get the relevant weights for your caravan or get an engineering evaluation that would include a trip over a weighbridge.

Dave

Wanderlust · Veteran Member

You can buy a Tow Ball Weight Scale from a number of outlets which should help.

Jamjar · Senior Member

The bar has this on it: 50mm, 3000kg gross load.

J.

revemike · Senior Member

Jamjar wrote:
The bar has this on it: 50mm, 3000kg gross load.

J.

That is the ball size and the total towing capacity of the tow-bar mate.

Jamjar · Senior Member

That's on the draw bar and not on my tow bar.

I'll have to look into it when in Sydney, next week. Do I go to a tow bar fitter, or a caravan repair place?

J.

brickies · Guru

The that are doing the fitting should be able to answer your question

revemike · Senior Member

Jamjar wrote:
That's on the draw bar and not on my tow bar.

I'll have to look into it when in Sydney, next week. Do I go to a tow bar fitter, or a caravan repair place?

J.

OK. I misread it... The 50mm would still relate to the tow-bar ball size that is required on the tow-bar for your hitch. Maybe the chassis of the van is capable of carrying 3000kg then.

How do you know the tare weight? Where did you find that info? It is only 650kg and you not have much loaded the ball weight SHOULD be around 10% of the weight of the van. I say 'should' be because it is not always the case. It is however a guide. Getting a ball weight scale is the best way to find an accurate measurement. They sell for around $80.

Jamjar · Senior Member

Thanks for the advice.

The weight of the van is on the rego cert. I just checked and it is 620 tare and GVM of 750.

The reason I ask is that I have no doubt that someone will try to sell me one more expensive than I need. I like to go armed with facts, so I know if I'm being ripped off.

I can buy what I need online, if I know what is needed. Who fits them?

J.

revemike · Senior Member

Jamjar wrote:
Thanks for the advice.
The weight of the van is on the rego cert. I just checked and it is 620 tare and GVM of 750.
The reason I ask is that I have no doubt that someone will try to sell me one more expensive than I need. I like to go armed with facts, so I know if I'm being ripped off.
I can buy what I need online, if I know what is needed. Who fits them?
J.

You are wise to do your research. There are lots who don't (and I am one who has been guilty of this) who fail to do so and end up getting the wrong item. Based of the info you have I would guess that your ball weight would be under 100kg (remember the only sure way to find out is to measure it with ball wight scales).

Check out...

http://www.haymanreese.com.au/products/weight-distribution-systems

Jamjar · Senior Member

Thank you for the link, Mike.

As an older female I learnt the hard way not to trust retailers.

J.

revemike · Senior Member

Jamjar wrote:
Thank you for the link, Mike.
As an older female I learnt the hard way not to trust retailers.
J.

wise indeed. good luck with the search

Roving-Dutchy · Guru

If you only have 75kg's on the tow ball you are very unlikely to need a WDH, what may need to do is to move some of your load around so that you only have 75kg's on the tow ball.

It would probably be a good idea to weigh the van when it is loaded and find out what it really weighs before changing anything, as the max you should be is 750kg's.

Cheers

David

kiwijims · Guru

If your Car is bottoming out on the driveway, you may have to look at something like air bags or spring helpers to correct this problem.

the weight of only 75kg on the tow ball shouldn't make a great deal of difference to the height of the rear of your car, but it could be so if the rear suspension is weak.

K.J.

Jamjar · Senior Member

David, there is nothing to be moved. The only things added are an empty portaloo and a very small microwave.

J.

Jamjar · Senior Member

Thanks everyone. I have enough to go with now.

J.

PeterD · Guru

Jamjar, what make model and age is your van. The size of your van (750 GVM) and the tug being a Commodore probably most likely means you don't need a WDH. After all the weight you are towing is way less than half the tare weight.

You don't need a special ball weight measuring device. Your bathroom scales will weigh up to at least 200 kg and your ball weight will most likely be under 100 kg. Cut a piece of broom stick or garden stake down to fit between the scales and the coupling. Place a substantial short piece of timber or a brick on the scales to spread the load across the tread of the scale, place the stick between that and the coupling and raise the jockey wheel. If you want the weight accurately weigh the gear you used on the top of the scales and subtract that from the ball weight you measured. If you have a fancy set of scales with a glass tread plate you may care to go down to your local op-shop and get some cheap ones. You can compare the accuracy of the op-shop ones by comparing your weight on each.