Do caravanners out there recommend the use of weight distribution hitches when attaching caravans to your Y62 (2018 model).The van I am having made has a GVM of 3.5 t (probably won't weigh that much when loaded) and my Y62 has had airbags fitted. Does the front axle weight of the Y62 (1650 kg) mean that weight distribution hitches should be avoided or are people using these with Y62's happy with them.
General responses to the use or otherwise of weight distribution hitches are welcome and whether these are necessary with rear airbags would be welcome.
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Nissan Patrol TIL and highly modified Retreat Fraser full offroad version
Do caravanners out there recommend the use of weight distribution hitches when attaching caravans to your Y62 (2018 model).The van I am having made has a GVM of 3.5 t (probably won't weigh that much when loaded) and my Y62 has had airbags fitted. Does the front axle weight of the Y62 (1650 kg) mean that weight distribution hitches should be avoided or are people using these with Y62's happy with them.
General responses to the use or otherwise of weight distribution hitches are welcome and whether these are necessary with rear airbags would be welcome.
Hi David...Sorry,but there is no way that your Y62 can tow a 3500kg van.If you hook a 3500kg van to your car,with the generally accepted 10% towball weight,you will have the following figures to study.Kerb weight is 2800kg (+/-) and your GVM is only 3370kg after deducting your 130kg penalty for towball weight over 300kg.Your wheelbase is 3076mm and your TBO (towball overhang,or distance from rear axle to hitch point) is over 1300mm.This means that your 350kg ball weight puts around (almost exactly) 500kg onto your rear axle. You now have a car weighing 3150kg (2800kg kerb weight plus 350kg ball weight)........ still with no passengers,no bullbar,no luggage,no winch,etc etc,and we havent added the weight of the actual towbar itself. Very difficult to include all those things under the 220kg you have left.(3370-3150kg).And we wont bother mentioning that you will be overloaded on the cars rear axle,which is rated at only 2030kg.IF you somehow manage to keep your rear axle load to 2030kg you will then be able to carry only 1340kg on your front axle.(3370kg GVM minus 2030kg rear axle weight).I am happy to help you with this if you PM me,but the Y62 is similar to an LC200 in that it cannot tow 3500kg as a PIG trailer if you want to put anything in the car.Cheers
Thanks. I was just quoting the vans GVM not what it will actually weight once I load it which hopefully will be closer to 3.2 t as I have been through all of the weight horrors! Yes I am aware of what a 350k TBW will do to the GVM of the Patrol but can sort that via no gear in the Patrol lol. I actually calculated I could put about 50 kgs in the Patrol but that will be fine as there is only the two of us. Someone in the Y62 club suggested removing the third row seats will will reduce GVM by 100ks. As I don't use them, this is a great idea to save 100k.
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Nissan Patrol TIL and highly modified Retreat Fraser full offroad version
I have a MY18 y62 and was informed by the dealership that Nissan do not approve a WDH for this vehicle because of the HBMC suspension system. I am not prepared to argue with Nissan whilst the vehicle is under warranty.
I tow an ATM 2500kg full size caravan with a towball weight 220 Kg. and do not use a WDH but do have heavy duty airbags. The rear of the car saggs enough (in my opinion) to probably create uneven tyre wear due to the independent suspension, so level up with the airbags and after 16000 Klm of towing the rear tyres are wearing evenly.
The max. front axle Wt is 1650 kg., rear axle 2030Kg. Our car loaded with 2 persons, O/B motor and 120AH AGM behind front seats, plus dog and a 60 litre Waeco and Honda 2.0 Gen. in rear luggage area, plus boat on roof and 220Kg Tbw.......... front axle 1575Kg and rear axle 1920 kg. when hitched up ready to roll. Add 2 axles..... total 3495 Kg........only 5Kg under GVM.
I think you may have an issue towing a 3500Kg van with a nominal tow ball Wt 350KG (10%) because Nissan states at that weight GVM decreases 130Kg to 3370Kg. And don't forget max. rear axle weight at 2030Kg. It's probably legally doable but I don't think you will be boating and you may have to agist the dog.
I don't know enough about your vehicle to comment whether or not it is suitable for your purposes, but I am a fan of a properly set up WDH.
However, not for the purpose of trying to correct a poorly laden rig, but rather to place some load back on the front wheels to improve steering and braking response, for which they can be very effective.
I don't know enough about your vehicle to comment whether or not it is suitable for your purposes, but I am a fan of a properly set up WDH. However, not for the purpose of trying to correct a poorly laden rig, but rather to place some load back on the front wheels to improve steering and braking response, for which they can be very effective.
Hi Greg...good to see that you are happy using a WDH,but I wonder if you realise how little weight a WDH actually moves? On an average (?) car,if you put 300kg on the towball,you will take about 130kg (+/-) from the cars front axle.With the fans of WDH telling anyone who will listen that the bars should be adjusted to restore 50% of lost weight to the front axle,you are messing around to restore a miserable 65kg? Just fit a bull bar and you will have more than compensated,and you will avoid the problems that are created by having what is effectively a stiff-arm from the front axle of the car,through the hitch point,to the. vans axle group.Can you even begin to imagine the enormous stresses that are placed on the chassis etc when you go through a dip in the road,or even into a servo,and most of your weight is carried by only two axles? If the right car is bought to tow a particular van,you will not need a WDH.The difference between having 1600kg on a front axle and having 1470kg on that axle are negligible.And we will not even mention how a WDH affects understeer and over steer. Cheers.
Thanks. I was just quoting the vans GVM not what it will actually weight once I load it which hopefully will be closer to 3.2 t as I have been through all of the weight horrors! Yes I am aware of what a 350k TBW will do to the GVM of the Patrol but can sort that via no gear in the Patrol lol. I actually calculated I could put about 50 kgs in the Patrol but that will be fine as there is only the two of us. Someone in the Y62 club suggested removing the third row seats will will reduce GVM by 100ks. As I don't use them, this is a great idea to save 100k.
Removing the third row of seats should be a no-brainer,but I seem to recall reading somewhere that you need to get a new compliance plate? Perhaps a more learned member could comment? With a 3200kg van,and 10% ball weight,you would have a car with 3370kg on its wheels,towing a van with 2880kg on its wheels.The car is thus 11% heavier than the van,and super-safe. But watch that rear axle weight on the car......max 2030kg! Good luck with your research.Cheers
I disagree with your assessment of a WDH yobarr if properly adjusted. Have been towing for 48 years with and without them.
Was one of the early users of a Hayman Reese hitch on a van in WA.
I have also a lot of experience in setting up suspension and tuning in the motorsport arena so have a very good understanding of under and oversteer, and the affects certain things have on a vehicles handling performance.
Yes, if you have the hitch bars cranked up way too tight, then you will be placing the car into an oversteer situation and placing excessive loads on the various components, just the same as placing too much roll stiffness into the rear of a car or over doing the rear spring rates.
However properly adjusted, a WDH can and does correct some of the handling and braking imbalance that sticking 300kgs on its arse end does and without overloading the structure. I have towed countless thousands of ks over all types of roads and proven the benefits of the WDH beyond doubt. Adjusted correctly, the vehicle will still have an understeering tendency as built in by the manufacturer.
Some manufacturers such as Mitsubishi for the Pajero actually require a WDH if you tow over a certain weight. This is not just about a level system but to ensure the vehicle handles as safely as possible.
David, my 200 series 3rd row seats are 16kg and 18kg, so would not think Nissan could be 100kg. I have mine removed " on a temporary basis". Just got a GVM upgrade and passed engineer no problem with them out. Leave the seat belts in though.
, and put any bolts back into threaded captive nuts.
