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Post Info TOPIC: overweight caravans
StewG


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overweight caravans
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The suggestion above of going to a weigh bridge is the best plan. There is nothing better than the facts to reassure yourself or to fight bureaucracy. If you have a weigh bridge nearby and you are not inconveniencing other users, run the front wheels of the Jeep on first, take a reading, then all four wheels of the Jeep, take a reading, then the van wheels only, take a reading. Disconnect the van and weigh the Jeep only, take a reading. Simple arithmetic then gives you everything you need to know about the weights (masses). If you still have an overloading problem, follow the suggestions already posted. The key points are Jeep axle ratings, tyre ratings, tow ball mass, Gross Trailer Mass, Gross Combined Mass. Oh, and try to keep heavy items in the caravan close to the axle rather than at the extremities. This gives greater stability.

As an example, my rig fully loaded weighs in at about 3 tonne for the vehicle, 2.5 t for the van and 250kg on the ball. Well within the limits for the axles, tyres, ball and GCM. Fortunately there are several automatic weighbridges within an hour's drive of home (Melbourne) for me and it is a simple, free task.

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Mike Harding


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StewG wrote:

Fortunately there are several automatic weighbridges within an hour's drive of home (Melbourne) for me and it is a simple, free task.

 Perhaps you will give us their locations? I'm sure many would appreciate such a facility.



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Rain Maker


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This site is well worth a view on how to load your van to help stop caravan sway.

https://www.caravansplus.com.au/guides/how-to-stop-your-caravan-swaying-must-see-video-a-4.html

 



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vickiparker


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Thankyou very much for the info, I think it is time to go to the weigh bridge, we have taken everything out of the tunnel book and has made no difference so we are  stumped.



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vickiparker


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It is a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee petrol 6cyl.

 



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vickiparker


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The car tows perfectly with no sway and is dead level, don't know it is on the back.



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villatranquilla


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good luck - I think you'll be OK and perhaps those tow ball scales are not working properly

 



-- Edited by villatranquilla on Monday 20th of August 2018 02:40:50 PM

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Jenny and Barry

2009 Roma Elegance / 2013 Colorado. Permanent travellers 2011-2015 now just travel for 4-6 mths 
outlaw40


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still haven't seen an actual tow ball weight . you may be worrying over nothing. without at least that number nobody can help you.

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PeterInSa


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Vicki, I cannot see your Problem, but I do not know the vans weight on the Jeep Towball,

My understanding is that the Jeep can take up to 350Kg on the Towball, your van fully loaded can put up to 15% ( not recommended but still legal I understand) of ATM (2300KG)ie 345Kg, on the Jeeps towball ( ie less than 350Kg Jeep Limit) Please Explain..... Why you are Stumped.

Have you called Colin as suggested earlier.

Peter


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vickiparker


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 The ball weight is supposed to be 185 but no way can we even get anywhere near as we weigh actually 345 so spot on with your weight.

 

 



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vickiparker


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Jeep Grand Cherokee 6cyl petrol 2014



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yobarr


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vickiparker wrote:

It is a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee petrol 6cyl.

 

 Hi Vicki....All is good.Your tare weight is 2169kg and your GVM (maximum weight on cars wheels) is 2949kg,which means that your car can carry 780kg.....this includes passengers,fuel,towball weight and whatever other stuff you wish to put in/on the car. I refer to towbar,bullbar,lights etc etc.Your cars towing capacity is 2812kg,and your van has ATM (weight on van wheels AND towball or jockey wheel) of only 2300kg. Tare is about 1800kg,so there is room for a load of 500kg in your van as it stands.If you choose to use the generall recognised towball weight of 10%,your towball weight will be 230kg.Somewhere on your cars towbar there will be a load rating stamped,but I would be more than surprised if it was less than 300kg,so 230kg ballweight is no problem. Your car will now have lost 230kg of its 780kg carrying capacity,but you still have 550kg left for fuel,passengers and all the other stuff. You do not have a problem,but if you wanted to carry more in the van you may want to get an ATM upgrade.Your vans axle rating is 2500kg,so you could theoretically increase your ATM to 2750kg.(2500kg weight on axles plus 10% towball weight). As far as I can see....and I am rushing to get to work,so may have missed something?.....there is absolutely NO problem with you hooking your van to your car with 230kg towball,or even more,if you wish. Good luck,but feel free to PM if you wish and I can discuss in detail what your options are.If you still are confused,I am happy to drive to Kingaroy to help you set it up correctly.Cheers.



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vickiparker


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Thankyou for your help we seem to have got it now (to many senior moments) I think. lol

 

Thanks again everyone for your help and it was a very good first time on the site and will be back again.

 

SAFE TRAVELS everyone

 

Vicki



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SouthernComfort


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vickiparker wrote:

Thankyou for your help we seem to have got it now (to many senior moments) I think. lol

 

Thanks again everyone for your help and it was a very good first time on the site and will be back again.

 

SAFE TRAVELS everyone

 

Vicki

 Vicki, Assuming your 6 cyl petrol GC is a 4x4 and not a 4x2, then yobarr is pretty well on the money. The 4x2 has a drastically lower tow rating, so hopefully you're in a 4x4 model.....



-- Edited by SouthernComfort on Monday 20th of August 2018 03:31:16 PM

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Cheers,

Tony

"Opinion is the medium between ignorance and knowledge" - Plato  

 The moral: Focus on the Facts

 
vickiparker


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yes it is a 4 x 4



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vickiparker


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The ball is a 75 and not a 50 so I don't if that makes any difference



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yobarr


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vickiparker wrote:

The ball is a 75 and not a 50 so I don't if that makes any difference

 No problem Vicki,but absolute overkill.Those balls are rated to 10 ton,and are used often with a 5th wheeler,or a goose-neck semi-trailer type van. Perhaps your car has a dark past? Anyway,good luck with your project,but I think that many would agree that you have been worrying needlessly! Enjoy Tasmania.... Cheers.



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yobarr


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SouthernComfort wrote:
vickiparker wrote:

Thankyou for your help we seem to have got it now (to many senior moments) I think. lol

 

Thanks again everyone for your help and it was a very good first time on the site and will be back again.

 

SAFE TRAVELS everyone

 

Vicki

 Vicki, Assuming your 6 cyl petrol GC is a 4x4 and not a 4x2, then yobarr is pretty well on the money. The 4x2 has a drastically lower tow rating, so hopefully you're in a 4x4 model.....



-- Edited by SouthernComfort on Monday 20th of August 2018 03:31:16 PM

      Good point Tony....The petrol model is beyond useless,at 1600kg towing capacity,but with a 2300kg van,I just assumed that they had bought a Diesel! If not,they would have been a long way up s..t creek without a paddle. Cheers



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Bill B


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vickiparker wrote:

 The ball weight is supposed to be 185 but no way can we even get anywhere near as we weigh actually 345 so spot on with your weight.

 

 




To be legal your ball weight needs to be less than 281 kgs based on a 2014 Grand Cherokee 3.6 ltr petrol 4WD

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Bill B
yobarr


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Bill B wrote:
vickiparker wrote:

 

 The ball weight is supposed to be 185 but no way can we even get anywhere near as we weigh actually 345 so spot on with your weight.

 

 


 



To be legal your ball weight needs to be less than 281 kgs based on a 2014 Grand Cherokee 3.6 ltr petrol 4WD

 

          Hi Bill....Im not challenging your assertion,as Vicki doesnt need anywhere near 281kg TBM,but                                         I would be interested to learn where you obtained that figure,as I failed in my efforts! Cheers



-- Edited by yobarr on Monday 20th of August 2018 05:54:28 PM

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Bill B


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NO but she said it was 345 kgs when they weighed it, if you read all her post.

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Bill B
PeterInSa


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Specs for a 2014 J C Overland 350/3500. From:
www.caravancampingsales.com.au/editorial/details/tow-test-2014-jeep-grand-cherokee-overland-crd-38663/

Vicke like a lot of van owners we had have the ATM of our van upgraded a certified Engineer in SA, I suggest you do this along with moving the water tanks behind the wheels. It cost me $500 plus checkout by the SA Transport Dept another $200+.

Have sent you a PM.

Peter

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Bill B


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PeterInSa wrote:

Specs for a 2014 J C Overland 350/3500. From:
www.caravancampingsales.com.au/editorial/details/tow-test-2014-jeep-grand-cherokee-overland-crd-38663/


Vicke like a lot of van owners we had have the ATM of our van upgraded a certified Engineer in SA, I suggest you do this along with moving the water tanks behind the wheels. It cost me $500 plus checkout by the SA Transport Dept another $200+.


Have sent you a PM.


Peter




Peter the above refers to a Turbo Diesel model, Vicki has a 6 cylinder petrol.

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Bill B
vickiparker


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We seem to be right now as you can see we are pretty level when hooked up and have now problem towing not even up hills.

 

Thanks



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Bill B


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yobarr wrote:

            I would be interested to learn where you obtained that figure,as I failed in my efforts! Cheers

-- Edited by yobarr on Monday 20th of August 2018 05:54:28 PM



https://ciavic.com.au/getmedia/9f7d2f98-0a3f-404d-bb75-709db754d5eb/VTMG_Nov16_lowres.aspx

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Bill B
the rocket


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Suggesti9n, Go into a caravan repair place n ask them to do the measurements for u n find out if any changes need to b made. Worth the money and saves the nervous breakdown.



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vickiparker


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going to RACQ let them sort it out for us.

 

Thanks



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yobarr


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vickiparker wrote:

going to RACQ let them sort it out for us.

 

Thanks

 Now,that WILL be worth seeing........



-- Edited by yobarr on Tuesday 21st of August 2018 09:30:17 AM

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v
yobarr


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Bill B wrote:
yobarr wrote:

            I would be interested to learn where you obtained that figure,as I failed in my efforts! Cheers

-- Edited by yobarr on Monday 20th of August 2018 05:54:28 PM

 



https://ciavic.com.au/getmedia/9f7d2f98-0a3f-404d-bb75-709db754d5eb/VTMG_Nov16_lowres.aspx

 Thanks Bill.....



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vickiparker


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That is the ball that came with the caravan as it American (they always do things bigger). No dark past with the car we have had it since new.



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