The weight situation..

aussie_paul · Guru

The weight situation..

kesa32 · Senior Member

Hi Aussie Paul , could someone like Truline at home ( Ballarat ) help you out in that regard? I've found them over the years great to deal with in regards to knowledge and honesty and work done

aussie_paul · Guru

kesa32 wrote:
Hi Aussie Paul , could someone like Truline at home ( Ballarat ) help you out in that regard? I've found them over the years great to deal with in regards to knowledge and honesty and work done

Ok Ken. That is the sort of info I was hoping for. Thanks from Miners Rest.

Aussie Paul. smile

aussie_paul · Guru

Called in to Truline and chatted Dale. He gave me a few clues. One of his guys was coming back with parts from Geelong last week and a twin cab with approx 24' van got the wobbles and pulled over to the side. His guy stopped to see if all ok. The driver had airbags and the chassis had broken both sides causing him to have a control problem!! biggrin

Dale has lent me some ball weight scales. He reckons some new rear shockers to start with.

Aussie Paul. smile

aussie_paul · Guru

Hi interested parties, continuing with the weights situation for our few days away near Bendigo this last week. With full water tanks and re arranging loading we achieved the Pajero max ball weight of 180kg. The van ATM was still over BUT will have that upgraded to the group axle rating next month.

I decided not use to use the WDH and this put the tow ball a couple of inches closer to the Pajero rear axle. I was quite happy with the way the outfit travelled at our usual speed of 90/95 km/hour. We used most of the front tank water and she did not travel as well heading to the dump point at Newstead. I measured the tow ball weight and it was 160kg. I emptied the rear tank while emptying the cassette and this left the front tank at ¼ full. The tow ball weigh was now around 195kg and she travelled better than at the 160kg. I am wondering if that amount of ball weight change would be noticeable or is it me?

Ball weight of 160kg = approx. 5.517 %

Ball weight of 180kg = approx. 6.207 %

Ball weight of 195kg = approx. 6.724 %

Compliance plate of 142kg ball and van empty 2252kg is 6.305 %

Aussie Paul. smile

The attached pics showing side view without WDH.

Genset not on rear bumper.

-- Edited by aussie_paul on Thursday 2nd of August 2018 03:14:08 PM

-- Edited by aussie_paul on Thursday 2nd of August 2018 03:15:41 PM

Radar · Guru

aussie_paul wrote:
Hi interested parties, continuing with the weights situation for our few days away near Bendigo this last week. With full water tanks and re arranging loading we achieved the Pajero max ball weight of 180kg. The van ATM was still over BUT will have that upgraded to the group axle rating next month.
I decided not use to use the WDH and this put the tow ball a couple of inches closer to the Pajero rear axle. I was quite happy with the way the outfit travelled at our usual speed of 90/95 km/hour. We used most of the front tank water and she did not travel as well heading to the dump point at Newstead. I measured the tow ball weight and it was 160kg. I emptied the rear tank while emptying the cassette and this left the front tank at ¼ full. The tow ball weigh was now around 195kg and she travelled better than at the 160kg. I am wondering if that amount of ball weight change would be noticeable or is it me?

Ball weight of 160kg = approx. 5.517 %
Ball weight of 180kg = approx. 6.207 %
Ball weight of 195kg = approx. 6.724 %
Compliance plate of 142kg ball and van empty 2252kg is 6.305 %
Aussie Paul.

Hi Paul, I personally would like more weight on the ball but I could not put that down in written words which is not very encouraging to you.

When I fill our front 80 litre water tank adding about extra 30kgs to our nomal 270kgs ball weight. The tank is between the front spring hangers, in a good area of the chassis for weight.

On this tour clockling with the caravan in tow about 5000ks to north Qld across various road surfaces the whole unit has behaved really good, sometimes 3 tanks and other times just the 2 tanks.

aussie_paul · Guru

Radar wrote:

Hi Paul, I personally would like more weight on the ball but I could not put that down in written words which is not very encouraging to you.
When I fill our front 80 litre water tank adding about extra 30kgs to our nomal 270kgs ball weight. The tank is between the front spring hangers, in a good area of the chassis for weight.
On this tour clockling with the caravan in tow about 5000ks to north Qld across various road surfaces the whole unit has behaved really good, sometimes 3 tanks and other times just the 2 tanks.

Thanks Ralph, around the 20th we are heading to Adelaide to visit Eril's sister and continue around some of SA for a couple of weeks. I plan to have a set of new rear shockers for the Pajero, and from what I am learning I will take ball weight scales with me and try some experimenting with ball weights. I probably need to have the ball weight at the Pajero max of 180kg and see if I can make it comfortable to operate, if not then look further at the tug. The rig was sitting reasonably level this last trip without WDH.

Aussie Paul. smile

aussie_paul · Guru

Left home loaded for 3 weeks travelling without 30kg of HR hanging off tow bar, I had it in Pajero "in case". biggrin Ball weight 185kg and water levels to achieve that. Tyre pressures all double checked. Being a bit nervous, after several trips where I did not feel comfortable with rig, I was taking things steady and began enjoying driving the rig again.

Purpose of trip is to visit Eril's sister and hubby in Adelaide, sort van ATM and have a look at the Yorke Peninsular. Came to Adelaide from Murray bridge via the more northern route. Quite a few hills, twists etc so good test for rig and me. I quite enjoyed the twists and turns as well as the more scenic drive and got to see the "big rocking horse" and take pics for the Grandies. wink Arrived at the mechanics, recommended by someone on this forum, and went through the inspection and paperwork process for me to produce to Vicroads when we get home. He had some wonderful and not so wonderful stories of people and their overweight and illegal rig set ups. disbelief

Settled in to Adelaide CP for a few days for the family stuff.

Aussie Paul. smile

-- Edited by aussie_paul on Friday 24th of August 2018 12:38:26 PM

-- Edited by aussie_paul on Friday 24th of August 2018 12:55:21 PM

Radar · Guru

RE: The wewight situation..

The Belmont Bear · Guru

RE: The weight situation..

aussie_paul · Guru

The Belmont Bear wrote:
AP I am using the same towball scales as you and I was also concerned about the ball weight being a bit too light - when I checked the fully loaded van which was 2750kg it had a ball weight of 220kg (empty tanks). I travelled from Newcastle to Urunga then Hastings Point in the Tweed 2 weeks ago without filling the tanks and to me the rig seemed to be pretty stable except for a bit of movement when following large semis. This week for the return leg Hastings Point/Scotts Head/Newcastle I decided to fill the 2 x 95ltr water tanks which added an extra 40kg to the ball weight (260kg) the difference surprised me it was a pleasure to tow with the extra weight on the ball, my wife as passenger even commented that she could also notice the difference. On the M1 I set the adaptive cruise control on 100kph and the Jeep sat on that speed all day up and down hills averaging 16.1 ltrs/100kms, the only time that I needed to cancel it was when I came up behind slower vehicles, down steep descents or speed limit changes like roadworks. A few times I was overtaken by dual cab utes towing similar sized vans but as soon as we hit the longer climbs their speed would drop off and I would go around them easily just staying in cruise, a few kms down the road sure enough they would fly past me again. I wouldn't try using cruise on secondary roads, in winds or in wet conditions but out on the motorway in good weather and light traffic it was great and it didn't seem to have that much impact on the fuel consumption.
Cheers
BB

That is great for you BB. .

I have learnt some more this trip, and will no doubt learn more as I experiment. I want to be legal AND comfortable driving the rig.

The 10% ball weight and WDH necessity might suit some and may not suit others. I think I was taking too much notice of too many people. biggrin

I reckon there could be quite a lively debate if one was to ask the pros and cons of 10% here and less in Europe. biggrin

Aussie Paul. smile

kesa32 · Senior Member

Hi Aussie Paul, sorry l missed your reply earlier in July mate , we've been on the road since July 7th so been on and off line a lot lol

Anyway good to hear you caught up with Dale , he's a really honest guy , l got him to do some work on our Territory prior to leaving on this trip ( brakes , struts etc )
Sounds like your getting somewhere with your ball weight and handling mate which is good

Enjoy SA

aussie_paul · Guru

kesa32 wrote:
Hi Aussie Paul, sorry l missed your reply earlier in July mate , we've been on the road since July 7th so been on and off line a lot lol

Anyway good to hear you caught up with Dale , he's a really honest guy , l got him to do some work on our Territory prior to leaving on this trip ( brakes , struts etc )
Sounds like your getting somewhere with your ball weight and handling mate which is good

Enjoy SA

Dale has been in the US and is due back when we get home so I will catch up again and see what he suggests. He lent me tow ball scales to measure and report back to him how much drop I get when I load the towbar. I have now bought my own set to keep everything balanced.

Aussie Paul. smile

kesa32 · Senior Member

Yeah l have to catch up to him too when we get back in October to do the rear blade bushs as they are getting worn , he reckoned not to worry until we got back

Also l remember reading somewhere , could've been here , that it's preferable to run the van nose down a little , like 20mm? at the ball once hitched , as the vans nose will naturally lift a tad when driving ? Anyway that seems pretty normal with most vans , though you do on occasion see some badly setup vans at weird angles..... makes you shudder just looking at 'em !

Cheers

-- Edited by kesa32 on Saturday 25th of August 2018 12:30:43 AM

aussie_paul · Guru

Update. Finally had a chance last week to empty van and take it to official weighbridge to get my new tare weight. This morning went to Vicroads who accepted the SA engineer that inspected the van, when we were in Adelaide late August, paperwork to have the ATM upgraded to the axle group load capacity. This takes ATM from 2727kg to 2950kg, so as long as I load to have no more than 180kg on the ball I will be ok.

Hoping to get away for a few days shortly to test all this out. Genset might have to sit on Eril's knees. biggrin biggrin

Aussie Paul. smile

Greg 1 · Guru

I was in the exact same dilemma when we bought our van 3 and a half years ago. Had a lovely Pajero VRX which we were very fond of but the numbers just didn't add up. From an engineering point of view the ball weight cannot just fall off the cliff at 2501kgs but legally you are bound by the manufacturers numbers. I looked at all possible solutions and in the end bought a Ranger Wildtrak 3.2 litre which is currently on its third trip across the continent with the van in tow. Best decision I have made for a long while. Probably the best tow tug I have ever owned and I have had a few including Cruisers.

aussie_paul · Guru

Eril has started moving only essentials back into the van. I have started the same with the front boot. Learnt a lot in 5 years. biggrin

Aussie Paul. smile