We have. 2013 pajero. Currently looking at a new van . We have found one we liked but weight is 2340 . Not sure what the ball weight was. We know we can only have a maximum of 2500 with a ball weight between 180-250 with the pajero but the caravan dealer says he can reduce the ball weight by putting tanks and battery at the back which would bring it to about 160. Does this sound okay or is far to heavy . We never considered this and just a bit concerned if it is okay to consider this option
I always thought that the ball weight had to be approx 10 - 12% of the van weight to get a stable towing situation.
If the dealer is suggesting removing weight from the front only, then I would be very concerned that he is just trying to make a sale with no respect for your safety.
Just mu humble opinion.
Peter
PJK
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We have. 2013 pajero. Currently looking at a new van . We have found one we liked but weight is 2340 . Not sure what the ball weight was. We know we can only have a maximum of 2500 with a ball weight between 180-250 with the pajero but the caravan dealer says he can reduce the ball weight by putting tanks and battery at the back which would bring it to about 160. Does this sound okay or is far to heavy . We never considered this and just a bit concerned if it is okay to consider this option
Hi,
As PJK said You need to keep the ball weight at about 10/12% of the loaded weight of the van.
Some years ago I used to trail my boat about 15 Klm to the boat ramp fully fuelled with the tanks towards the stern. There was only a slight ball weight prob about 3/4% Was an absolute dog to tow, when above 80kph it was almost uncontrollable. Coming home with the tanks empty it was a dream to tow. Funny though with a full load of fuel and WDH hooked up was okay to tow, theory is all wrong there.
I would be a little wary of a dealer that would change the geometry of a trailer this way. You would need to take a careful look at the available weight allowance left.
Because of the limits imposed on the Pajero, I'd be very wary of how far weight was being moved to get the change in ball weight. There's heaps of Vans out there that have a suitable ball weight, and weight distribution, to suit your vehicle.
If the van is 2340 kgs unladen and the Pajero can tow 2500 kgs then there is only 160 kgs left. This would be taken up by water, gas and 2 pairs of underpants.
You'll not travel far without the other stuff you need.
We have. 2013 pajero. Currently looking at a new van . We have found one we liked but weight is 2340 . Not sure what the ball weight was. We know we can only have a maximum of 2500 with a ball weight between 180-250 with the pajero but the caravan dealer says he can reduce the ball weight by putting tanks and battery at the back which would bring it to about 160. Does this sound okay or is far to heavy . We never considered this and just a bit concerned if it is okay to consider this option
Agree with PJK.
My experience has been that many caravan dealers are creeping up to food chain to slowly overtake scumbag real estate agents and used car dealers. This guy is obviously wanting to make a sale at the possible compromise of your safety and that of others.
We tow with a Pajero and personally I feel that 2500 fully loaded is all that I would want to tow with it, I wouldn't go up to the 3000kg even if the ball weight was low enough. Look around for a lighter van.
We have towed our 21ft van behind our 2012 Pajero for 2 years, total weight 2360 kg and ball weight 240kg tows beautiful ! Iwas at Bourke 1 month ago and was surrounded by Pajeros all the vans had very similar weights and not 1 grizzle at all .At happy hour it was felt that too many folk work on theory rather than practicality. Cheers John
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Supreme classic 2012 .when we picked it up I drove back home and dropped off the wife and then went to the public weighbridge and did the weight, it was spot on the compliance plate 2120 kg.We are ex bikers so we travel real light ,we only have @ 30 litres of water for the WC etc and we are not ready to free camp .We work on the basis that if we need it and we aint 'got it " we buy it ! The Pajero takes the beer slab.the webber and the freezer always so its real easy touring.We also spent 34 years on the same site in our on site van to learn "quickly" to adapt. I am always amused to see what some folks take with them EG ... heaps of firewood,6 planks in case of a need to level the van, 180 kg of water and stay in c/parks etc. Then the gennie,the tool box on the A frame with enough gear to rebuild the motor ! and lets not forget the the 2 bikes that have cobwebs on the tiedowns ! Still thats what they choose ..so good on em ! we are all out to have a good time .I would love to tow my coonarra with me on those cold nights too !cheers John
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Westy. Some people I know are like slinkies. They look really funny when you push them downstairs !
Thanks for that, we actually emptied the van of everything last week and then put it all back plus extra and we had 200 and we put in probably more than usual but just did it out of interest. We don't carry the bread maker or coffee machine so our problem isn't going to be what we put in just getting the van around 2000 with the layout we want . We are pretty fussy about workmanship and have been to a few factories , quite a big difference in how the better ones are made but you then have a heavier van which has been our problem so will start the exercise again and see how we go
You will find that there are lot of caravan manufacturers who have caravan suitable for Pajeros and Prado's, I certainly would not go with changing the balance of the caravan by a sales yard. I'd recommend that when making your decision that you have included in your purchase solar panels, batteries etc so that they included in the ATM.
I have had Pajero's for fourteen years and love them. Sadly had to change to a Ford Ranger for our new Silverline as it's just not legal to tow our 21ft van with a Pajero as its van weight/ball weight capacity doesn't work once the all up weight of the van exceeds 2500kg. Same issue with Prado's I believe. I see a lot of Pajero's & Prado's out there towing big units and wonder how legal and / or safe they are. The fact that they feel great when towing how will they react in an emergency? And don't underestimate the importance of having a ball weight in the vicinity of 10% of the gross weight of the van.
