Hi wondering who has a Mazda BT50 dual cab ute and what tow ball weight they are carrying. We are about to head off on our first reasonably long trip and my husband is worried about our tow ball wt. We have had new springs put on ute (as most people have done with 2013 Mazdas), the plate on the tow bar states it is allowed to carry 335kg and we purchased a thingemy that weighs the tow ball wt and it measured 260kg. Just want to hear from others with same vehicle if towing a heavier wt to pacify my husband.
Cheers
Kim
Dougwe said
06:53 AM Aug 17, 2015
Mmmmm, "thingemy" hey, is that the technical word or scientific word
Now I had to look that up before I could answer your question I'm not a BT50 owner but have a Collie which is similar in a way. The weight on your tow bar is the 'maximum' you can put on it so the 260kg measured by your "thingemy" is saying you are in good nick as you are well under that max. A good thing. I have 250kg on my tow ball with a 350 max and that's how I wanted it, well under max.
I won't go into how the van should be loaded etc as that was not you question and you probably know all that anyway.
Keep Safe out there.
gandk said
07:45 AM Aug 17, 2015
Hi Doug
Thanks for quick reply. "thingemy" is like "Collie" - thought it was a type of dog? Strong little fellow isn't he!
Cheers
Kim
JackoFJR said
08:14 AM Aug 17, 2015
260kg is under the max of 335kg , I have one of those " thingemy's " . I also have access to a weigh bridge any time I like .
Ball weight is one thing , but what's in the back of the vehicle , what is the rear axle weight .
gandk said
05:26 PM Aug 17, 2015
There is an small Engel in the rear of vehicle but have weighed that and anything that goes into it.
Stl said
06:49 PM Aug 17, 2015
Hi, if you upgraded your suspension you should have no problems so long as your well under Mazdas specs, if your interested check out my post July 21 st, Mazda re- set the springs through a private company BUT they would not give a warranty as they said they would sag again. Mazda not happy they told me. I paid for extra leaf. It is now with fair trading as Mazda won't tell me their specs ( distance from bump rubber to chassis with 1.850 tonne over rear axel.) RTA classify if a vehicle is loaded so is sitting on bump rubber then they would deem Overloaded.
ps. Just did 400 Klm's on the weekend handles like a dream with the extra leaf but only had 260 on tow ball which equates to about 1.3 tonne over back axel ( 1/2 a tonne under what Mazda specs are). about 50 kgs in the back.
pss friend just phoned me, his chassis above bump rubber shiny, and has only been towing a camper with just under 200kgs on tow ball and only fridge, chairs and bbq in the back, 2013 model. All on the black stuff no off road at all.
Like I said if you upgraded you should be OK.
Grego said
10:43 PM Aug 17, 2015
I have a PX ford Ranger which is the same chassis and I believe the same springs. I tow 250 kg thingamy tow ball weight with a van that is 2500kg fully loaded. I am on maximum with rear axle weight when fully loaded and caravan attached because I also have a camp box and a boat loaded on the roof of this.
The springs on these vehicles are designed for a comfortable ride with no to little weight so you may have a saggy bum on your vehicle with your van on and then add some weight in the tub and you will certainly have a saggy bum on the vehicle. The negative to this is your lights etc are then out of whack and you may find you hit your bump stops regularly.
I have used BOSE airbags to get rid of the saggy bum because it allows me to vary the firmness according to weight as I have a number of variables from a fully empty vehicle with just the driver, to the van, Camper box on the back and boat on the roof. Airbags are the kit for me to settle it all into balance no matter what my load but within the vehicle specs of course
Grego said
10:50 PM Aug 17, 2015
Grego wrote:
I have a PX ford Ranger which is the same chassis and I believe the same springs. I tow 250 kg thingamy tow ball weight with a van that is 2500kg fully loaded. I am on maximum with rear axle weight when fully loaded and caravan attached because I also have a camp box and a boat loaded on the roof of this.
The springs on these vehicles are designed for a comfortable ride with no to little weight so you may have a saggy bum on your vehicle with your van on and then add some weight in the tub and you will certainly have a saggy bum on the vehicle. The negative to this is your lights etc are then out of whack and you may find you hit your bump stops regularly.
I have used BOSE airbags to get rid of the saggy bum because it allows me to vary the firmness according to weight as I have a number of variables from a fully empty vehicle with just the driver, to the van, Camper box on the back and boat on the roof. Airbags are the kit for me to settle it all into balance no matter what my load but within the vehicle specs of course
PS I also use a Reece caravan stabiliser to obtain a level ride.
First I use the airbags to get my vehicle weight correct with the camp box on etc and then I use my Caravan stabiliser bars to equal the weight of the caravan. I know the Ranger states you don't need the stabilisers ( BT 50 will be the same) but I had them anyway so I have used them. I am pleased I have used them. If you don't have stabilisers I think you will definitely need to up your springs or use airbags.
gandk said
06:40 AM Aug 18, 2015
Thank you all. We actually had the old springs removed and a total new set put on from Dobinsons in Rockhampton Qld. They seem to be really good and the bum on the vehicle doesn't sag with the van on. Just hubby being a bit funny is why I wanted to see if others had weights more than ours. All good. Thanks "Stl" We had trouble with Mazda as well so gave up and paid for good ones. I didn't need the stress. I actually read your thingemy when you put it on the forum a while back.
Thanks again to all. And to the site for being able to find the info we need. Is it Cindy - if so thank you.
Kim
Hi wondering who has a Mazda BT50 dual cab ute and what tow ball weight they are carrying. We are about to head off on our first reasonably long trip and my husband is worried about our tow ball wt. We have had new springs put on ute (as most people have done with 2013 Mazdas), the plate on the tow bar states it is allowed to carry 335kg and we purchased a thingemy that weighs the tow ball wt and it measured 260kg. Just want to hear from others with same vehicle if towing a heavier wt to pacify my husband.
Cheers
Kim
Mmmmm, "thingemy" hey, is that the technical word or scientific word
Now I had to look that up before I could answer your question
I'm not a BT50 owner but have a Collie which is similar in a way. The weight on your tow bar is the 'maximum' you can put on it so the 260kg measured by your "thingemy" is saying you are in good nick as you are well under that max. A good thing. I have 250kg on my tow ball with a 350 max and that's how I wanted it, well under max.
I won't go into how the van should be loaded etc as that was not you question and you probably know all that anyway.
Keep Safe out there.
Hi Doug
Thanks for quick reply. "thingemy" is like "Collie" - thought it was a type of dog? Strong little fellow isn't he!
Cheers
Kim
Ball weight is one thing , but what's in the back of the vehicle , what is the rear axle weight .
There is an small Engel in the rear of vehicle but have weighed that and anything that goes into it.
Hi, if you upgraded your suspension you should have no problems so long as your well under Mazdas specs, if your interested check out my post July 21 st, Mazda re- set the springs through a private company BUT they would not give a warranty as they said they would sag again. Mazda not happy they told me. I paid for extra leaf. It is now with fair trading as Mazda won't tell me their specs ( distance from bump rubber to chassis with 1.850 tonne over rear axel.) RTA classify if a vehicle is loaded so is sitting on bump rubber then they would deem Overloaded.
ps. Just did 400 Klm's on the weekend handles like a dream with the extra leaf but only had 260 on tow ball which equates to about 1.3 tonne over back axel ( 1/2 a tonne under what Mazda specs are). about 50 kgs in the back.
pss friend just phoned me, his chassis above bump rubber shiny, and has only been towing a camper with just under 200kgs on tow ball and only fridge, chairs and bbq in the back, 2013 model. All on the black stuff no off road at all.
Like I said if you upgraded you should be OK.
I have a PX ford Ranger which is the same chassis and I believe the same springs. I tow 250 kg thingamy tow ball weight with a van that is 2500kg fully loaded. I am on maximum with rear axle weight when fully loaded and caravan attached because I also have a camp box and a boat loaded on the roof of this.
The springs on these vehicles are designed for a comfortable ride with no to little weight so you may have a saggy bum on your vehicle with your van on and then add some weight in the tub and you will certainly have a saggy bum on the vehicle. The negative to this is your lights etc are then out of whack and you may find you hit your bump stops regularly.
I have used BOSE airbags to get rid of the saggy bum because it allows me to vary the firmness according to weight as I have a number of variables from a fully empty vehicle with just the driver, to the van, Camper box on the back and boat on the roof. Airbags are the kit for me to settle it all into balance no matter what my load but within the vehicle specs of course
Thanks again to all. And to the site for being able to find the info we need. Is it Cindy - if so thank you.
Kim