For starters, what model and year is your Falcon? For quite a few years now the towing capacity of most Falcon models has been 1600Kg (160Kg max ball mass) with the standard tow bar, and 2300Kg (230Kg max ball mass) with the heavy duty Tow bar. (Hitch receiver). With Tow weights in excess of 1600Kg an appropriate WDH must be used. Thus a 2300Kg hitch receiver is required. However some XR's and utes have lower tow capacities as does the 4 cylinder models. Some maybe 1200Kg and some 1600Kg max. Ozjohn.
-- Edited by ozjohn on Tuesday 24th of September 2013 02:49:43 PM
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Retired Engineer, Ex Park Owner & Caravan Consultant. Holden 2.8 Colorado - Roma Elegance 17'6" Pop Top. Location: Mornington Peninsula Vic.
Hi OJ,
I understood ( from memory) that with the heavier towing weight on the Falcon, the driver was limited to a max of 80Km/Hr. But this may be an urban legend.
Hiya Peter, You're correct as Ford recommend varying maximum speed limits depending on weight being towed. So do Holden and a few other manufacturers. However I believe this is for perceived safety, reliability and possible warranty reasons. State Road Authorities set speed limits, not car manufacturers. I contacted both NSW and QLD authorities some years ago and posed the question, but the responses were inconclusive. I guess they really didn't know. I 'm open to correction on the issue though. Cheers, ozjohn.
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Retired Engineer, Ex Park Owner & Caravan Consultant. Holden 2.8 Colorado - Roma Elegance 17'6" Pop Top. Location: Mornington Peninsula Vic.
Lots of things evolved over years of "experience" though the 1940's, 50's 60's etc as we went from simple hydraulic brakes to modern power assisted dual sytems.
One of these ad hoc "rules" carried through time was the towed trailer could be 1.5 times the old "kerb weight" (read unladen weight today) of the towed vehicle.
It is likely the reduced speed for increased load evolved as well.
I have drafted/written legislation in the past and can't remember anything definative for the light vehicles we are referring to. Heavy vehicle regs tend to be much more definative based on stricter engineering/testing.
Just my thoughts.
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Why is it so? Professor Julius Sumner Miller, a profound influence on my life, who explained science to us on TV in the 60's.
