Heritage Spaceland Specifications;
Overview
Details
Specifications
Network ID
SSE-AD-15297809
Item
8.5m (28ft) 28ft Separate Bedroom
Price
$74,500* Excl. Govt. Charges
Sub-Category
Caravan
Length
28 ft / 8.53 m
Suspension
Beam and leaf
GVM
3,245 kg
ATM
3,480 kg
Seating Capacity
7 people
Sleeps
5 people
Fridge
Gas electric
Shower/Toilet
Ensuite
Last Modified
17/06/2023
Are We Lost said
09:49 PM Jun 18, 2023
So, provided it was just the driver and no more than a toothbrush in the Ranger, perfectly legal. And perfectly safe provided it was not taken out of the driveway.
Greg 1 said
10:20 PM Jun 18, 2023
Yes the Ranger wouldn't want anything much in the truck, although the new V6 does have 400kgs more GCM
yobarr said
05:31 PM Jun 19, 2023
Possum3 wrote:
Heritage Spaceland Specifications; Overview Details Specifications Network ID SSE-AD-15297809 Item 8.5m (28ft) 28ft Separate Bedroom Price $74,500* Excl. Govt. Charges
Sub-Category Caravan Length 28 ft / 8.53 m Suspension Beam and leaf
GVM. 3,245kg
ATM. 3,480 kg
Seating Capacity 7 people Sleeps 5 people Fridge Gas electric Shower/Toilet Ensuite Last Modified 17/06/2023
Hi Possum Strange numbers, as GVM and ATM are allegedly the same thing?
They are not, but these numbers make no sense.
Or is it perhaps a typo, with GVM meant to be GTM, leaving only 235kg for towball weight, which is too low. Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Monday 19th of June 2023 05:32:12 PM
yobarr said
06:06 PM Jun 19, 2023
travelyounger wrote:
Hi Could be be a lot worse an LC200
You hit the nail on the head there, John!
However, assuming the generally accepted 10% towball weight, with that ridiculous towball overhang, the Ranger would be ridiculously overloaded on the rear axle.
As Greg says, the new V6 model has an increased GCM, but the rear axle carrying capacity is still too low at 1959kg.
However, as you have said, it is probably a better bet than is an LC200 because of the Ranger's longer wheelbase and slightly better rear axle carrying capacity.
Still a stupid set-up, not to mention illegal safety chains, and no way is it safe, with 3150kg weight on wheels van (assuming 10%TBW) behind a car with maybe 3000kg weight on wheels. Cheers.
Possum3 said
08:21 PM Jun 19, 2023
yobarr wrote:
Hi Possum Strange numbers, as GVM and ATM are allegedly the same thing?
They are not, but these numbers make no sense.
Or is it perhaps a typo, with GVM meant to be GTM, leaving only 235kg for towball weight, which is too low. Cheers
Spec sheet direct lift off Heritage Dealer - but as we know, few of them could distinguish their ar$e from their elbows.
yobarr said
08:31 PM Jun 19, 2023
Possum3 wrote:
yobarr wrote:
Hi Possum Strange numbers, as GVM and ATM are allegedly the same thing?
They are not, but these numbers make no sense.
Or is it perhaps a typo, with GVM meant to be GTM, leaving only 235kg for towball weight, which is too low. Cheers
Spec sheet direct lift off Heritage Dealer - but as we know, few of them could distinguish their ar$e from their elbows.
Yeah Possum, I thought as much. Seems there are a few in NSW Traffic and weights department too. Cheers.
gold dandelion said
10:00 PM Jun 19, 2023
It was being towed to the new owner in W.A from the dealer in the East by their towing company so it would have been empty.
Gundog said
08:14 AM Jun 20, 2023
As usual the self proclaimed experts can claim a myriad of BS just from a few photos.
Yes the ranger can tow that caravan legally, if the back story is correct that its being delivered to the end user or a dealership, is irrelevant.
On the flipside if it was being towed by a 70 series it would be a case of nothing to see here.
I have a feeling that this van would less likely to be used as a touring van, at less than $80 grand it would make an ideal affordable on site home.
gdayjr said
11:25 AM Jun 20, 2023
It would be interesting to see everyones weight check reports on their set up, in fact it would be interesting to know who even has a current weigh report.
Now, not to brag or boast, but just to state some facts, here is the result of my weight check.
Mine was done two weeks ago, and it was an almost perfect weight distribution between front and rear axles, and from side to side.
The travel height of the body, to the ground of the caravan when hitched to the prime mover was 720 mm on the front, and 720 mm on the rear, so it was perfectly level.
My prime mover rear axle only dropped by 10 mm with the caravan attached, and my front dropped by zero.
My gross combined mass remaining is 1103 kg.
I did need to add about 30kg to the front tool boxes to increase the tow ball weight, as they were empty. No messy BBQ and no jerry cans.
So after months of researching for the ideal caravan for my needs, and a prime mover that can carry all of my leisure gear, and tow safely, I guess I got it right.
Gundog said
12:35 PM Jun 20, 2023
Well done Graham.
I havn't checked weighed ours since 2019 as we have been stationary since the start of covid, livinging in our van in the Whitsundays.
Ranger/Caravan was 60kg under the GCM, the Caravan was 10kg over the GTM, front and rear axle weights were within the limits.
Since being static the van and ute have gone on a weight loss program, a lot of feel good rubbish and never or little use items are gone. Things like gas bottles now we have 2x3.7kg instead of the 9kg's, all except one solar panels are gone along with the 2nd Battery, we have dropped the 120ah to an 80ah, water tanks are almost empty less than a quarter in each. Because we dont free camp these item are a waste of time and weight.
By the time we leave here it will mean a complete resetup of hitch height and WDH adjustment, along with a visit to the weighbridge.
peter67 said
10:26 AM Jun 21, 2023
I may need some educating from the group because to me, this looks suicidal. just checked the Ford Ranger curb weight from Ford Australia web site at 2331KG. What kind of unthinking ninny is going to tow such a huge slab sided tri axle ****wa on the highways using such a small vehicle, talk about the tail wagging the dog. they should take a leaf out of Graham's book and tow it with a sensible vehicle. All those small dual cabs have a major design fault where the tow bar has too much leverage because the rear wheels are so far forward.
Craig1 said
01:27 PM Jun 21, 2023
-- Edited by Craig1 on Wednesday 21st of June 2023 01:27:53 PM
I am sure I have seen a E H Wagon towing a 28 footer as well, but assume?(hope) the vans were much lighter back then.
Greg 1 said
03:29 PM Jun 21, 2023
Before all the rules regarding weights came in, the old man towed a 25' Viscount over much of Australia with a Toyota Crown.
In fact on one trip coming back from SA in the early 70's, I was following him in a Corolla. As we pulled into the Eucla Roadhouse driveway my water pump seized solid. One Corolla out of action.
So we ran a tow rope to the vans rear axle and the Crown towed both van and Corolla all the way to Esperance where we could get a service kit to repair the water pump.
What you did in the 60's and 70's you would be shot for these days.
yobarr said
07:04 PM Jun 21, 2023
peter67 wrote:
I may need some educating from the group because to me, this looks suicidal. just checked the Ford Ranger curb weight from Ford Australia web site at 2331KG. What kind of unthinking ninny is going to tow such a huge slab sided tri axle ****wa on the highways using such a small vehicle, talk about the tail wagging the dog. they should take a leaf out of Graham's book and tow it with a sensible vehicle. All those small dual cabs have a major design fault where the tow bar has too much leverage because the rear wheels are so far forward.
Since a member earlier claimed a "myriad of BS" had been posted I had decided to refrain from further participation in this thread, as it was clear to me that some know little, understand less , and clearly have no interest in learning. The fact that the van pictured was likely not loaded does not change the fact that that Ranger has no chance of safely towing a 3500kg ATM van, which is what I posted.
Anyway, back to your post, and I agree that the set-up certainly looks "suicidal", and would indeed be likely to suffer from the "Tail wagging the Dog" syndrome. The effects of yaw would be dramatic, with a quick measurement suggesting there is at least 12 feet of caravan behind the rear axis. Stupidity in the extreme.
"Your reference to "small dual cabs" also is of interest, as these cars rarely are capable of safely towing more than about 3000kg ATM as a PIG trailer because of low GCM and stupidly low rear axle carrying capacity.
The V6 Ranger has a lot better capacity than most others, but still too low if you wish to carry much more than the driver and his toothbrush whilst towing.. (Thanks Stephen!) Cheers.
P.S Like Greg's father, I also towed a ridiculously big tri-axle van in NSW outback, with the headlights of the CL Valiant pointing skyward, the towbar just clear of the ground, and the whole rig wandering, at will, all over the road. Still, at 80km/hr it went OK.
StewG said
11:04 AM Jun 22, 2023
With age, knowledge increases and sometimes wisdom is also gained. What we might have done as 'bullet-proof' youngsters is generally foregone in later life. A knowledge of weights (masses) and specifications is a vital asset to those grey nomads who wish to stay safe on the road and remain insured.
I wonder if this is legal.
Overview
Details
Specifications
Network ID
SSE-AD-15297809
Item
8.5m (28ft) 28ft Separate Bedroom
Price
$74,500* Excl. Govt. Charges
Sub-Category
Caravan
Length
28 ft / 8.53 m
Suspension
Beam and leaf
GVM
3,245 kg
ATM
3,480 kg
Seating Capacity
7 people
Sleeps
5 people
Fridge
Gas electric
Shower/Toilet
Ensuite
Last Modified
17/06/2023
Hi Possum Strange numbers, as GVM and ATM are allegedly the same thing?
They are not, but these numbers make no sense.
Or is it perhaps a typo, with GVM meant to be GTM, leaving only 235kg for towball weight, which is too low. Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Monday 19th of June 2023 05:32:12 PM
You hit the nail on the head there, John!
However, assuming the generally accepted 10% towball weight, with that ridiculous towball overhang, the Ranger would be ridiculously overloaded on the rear axle.
As Greg says, the new V6 model has an increased GCM, but the rear axle carrying capacity is still too low at 1959kg.
However, as you have said, it is probably a better bet than is an LC200 because of the Ranger's longer wheelbase and slightly better rear axle carrying capacity.
Still a stupid set-up, not to mention illegal safety chains, and no way is it safe, with 3150kg weight on wheels van (assuming 10%TBW) behind a car with maybe 3000kg weight on wheels. Cheers.
Spec sheet direct lift off Heritage Dealer - but as we know, few of them could distinguish their ar$e from their elbows.
Yeah Possum, I thought as much. Seems there are a few in NSW Traffic and weights department too. Cheers.
As usual the self proclaimed experts can claim a myriad of BS just from a few photos.
Yes the ranger can tow that caravan legally, if the back story is correct that its being delivered to the end user or a dealership, is irrelevant.
On the flipside if it was being towed by a 70 series it would be a case of nothing to see here.
I have a feeling that this van would less likely to be used as a touring van, at less than $80 grand it would make an ideal affordable on site home.
It would be interesting to see everyones weight check reports on their set up, in fact it would be interesting to know who even has a current weigh report.
Now, not to brag or boast, but just to state some facts, here is the result of my weight check.
Mine was done two weeks ago, and it was an almost perfect weight distribution between front and rear axles, and from side to side.
The travel height of the body, to the ground of the caravan when hitched to the prime mover was 720 mm on the front, and 720 mm on the rear, so it was perfectly level.
My prime mover rear axle only dropped by 10 mm with the caravan attached, and my front dropped by zero.
My gross combined mass remaining is 1103 kg.
I did need to add about 30kg to the front tool boxes to increase the tow ball weight, as they were empty. No messy BBQ and no jerry cans.
So after months of researching for the ideal caravan for my needs, and a prime mover that can carry all of my leisure gear, and tow safely, I guess I got it right.
Well done Graham.
I havn't checked weighed ours since 2019 as we have been stationary since the start of covid, livinging in our van in the Whitsundays.
Ranger/Caravan was 60kg under the GCM, the Caravan was 10kg over the GTM, front and rear axle weights were within the limits.
Since being static the van and ute have gone on a weight loss program, a lot of feel good rubbish and never or little use items are gone. Things like gas bottles now we have 2x3.7kg instead of the 9kg's, all except one solar panels are gone along with the 2nd Battery, we have dropped the 120ah to an 80ah, water tanks are almost empty less than a quarter in each. Because we dont free camp these item are a waste of time and weight.
By the time we leave here it will mean a complete resetup of hitch height and WDH adjustment, along with a visit to the weighbridge.
-- Edited by Craig1 on Wednesday 21st of June 2023 01:27:53 PM
Since a member earlier claimed a "myriad of BS" had been posted I had decided to refrain from further participation in this thread, as it was clear to me that some know little, understand less , and clearly have no interest in learning. The fact that the van pictured was likely not loaded does not change the fact that that Ranger has no chance of safely towing a 3500kg ATM van, which is what I posted.
Anyway, back to your post, and I agree that the set-up certainly looks "suicidal", and would indeed be likely to suffer from the "Tail wagging the Dog" syndrome. The effects of yaw would be dramatic, with a quick measurement suggesting there is at least 12 feet of caravan behind the rear axis. Stupidity in the extreme.
"Your reference to "small dual cabs" also is of interest, as these cars rarely are capable of safely towing more than about 3000kg ATM as a PIG trailer because of low GCM and stupidly low rear axle carrying capacity.
The V6 Ranger has a lot better capacity than most others, but still too low if you wish to carry much more than the driver and his toothbrush whilst towing.. (Thanks Stephen!) Cheers.
P.S Like Greg's father, I also towed a ridiculously big tri-axle van in NSW outback, with the headlights of the CL Valiant pointing skyward, the towbar just clear of the ground, and the whole rig wandering, at will, all over the road. Still, at 80km/hr it went OK.