Towing a Camper Trailer

[doc_777]

Uh huh.

I’m sure you know more about the physics involved than Hayman Reese, EAZ Lift, Anderson, Camec etc.

The engineering and physics are well known, but hey - if you reckon they’re all wrong and you know more - knock yourself out.

[doc_777]

Tow Ball weight is not a constant. Basic physics dictates that. The weight on the ball will change simply by moving weight in the trailer forward or backwards.

I'll get into the engineering figures myself I think (engineering background) as from simple observations, what is being said here is contradicting the laws of physics.

Someone who builds something often isn't smart enough to understand it properly, they only think they do.

At any point in time, yes - it is constant. But like any system, you change a parameter, you change the result. Are you going to dynamically change the weight distribution of your trailer while underway? Sure, undulation will affect the way that load dynamically impacts the towball weight (etc), but remove the undulation, and the weights return to their static values.

[Guest001]

Tow Ball weight is not a constant. Basic physics dictates that. The weight on the ball will change simply by moving weight in the trailer forward or backwards.

I'll get into the engineering figures myself I think (engineering background) as from simple observations, what is being said here is contradicting the laws of physics.

Someone who builds something often isn't smart enough to understand it properly, they only think they do.

For the purpose of limiting ball weight it is weighed DISCONNECTED FROM THE TUG The weight obtained is defined as the BALLWEIGHT for the van
Yes it will vary a bit depending on the two vehicles attitude in relation to each other but the weight obtained is still the weight which is taken as being the static ballweight.

Along with your other incorrect assumptions it is easy to see you are a reader of that womans mag The No Idea

Some people are too smart for their own good it seems

What you should do is get a van load it up in the rear till it has no ball weight and get it up to 100kph. let us know where you do it and we will alert the local tow companies because you will need one for sure

[doc_777]

Lol you’re a character, that’s for sure.

[Ozsko]

What you should do is get a van load it up in the rear till it has no ball weight and get it up to 100kph. let us know where you do it and we will alert the local tow companies because you will need one for sure

No ball weight is a 100kg different to what is allowed. Why do you want to remove all the weight from the towbar?

[Guest001]

No ball weight is a 100kg different to what is allowed. Why do you want to remove all the weight from the towbar?

To prove to the OP that his theories are wrong Read through the thread

Nowhere was 100kg mentioned as what is allowed either. The only constant is that the tow vehicle in question has a 90kg limit

[Rocket36]

Why would I move all the weight to the rear? That's PROVEN IN THIS THREAD to be completely WRONG!

The weight should be over the axle(s) and in a perfect world there would be a 52/48 balance front/rear.

Also there is no such mag as "No Idea" so you should check your facts there.

[Guest001]

W

Also there is no such mag as "No Idea" so you should check your facts there.

Missed that didnt you

Read it again I said move weight to the rear TILL YOU HAVE NO BALLWEIGHT. Or 2% if you like Result will be the same

[Jondalar]

Hillbilly I think you are equating a low ball weight with having weight at the rear, it doesn't have to be that way. A low ball weight can come from good centralised mass with low weight at either end...

[Guest001]

Hillbilly I think you are equating a low ball weight with having weight at the rear, it doesn't have to be that way. A low ball weight can come from good centralised mass with low weight at either end...

I DIDNT mean load it all in the rear Was badly written I meant move it back to get a zero ball weight However he does it to get that doesnt matter.

It will end up in tears if he does I bet. You know as well as I do what is likely to happen.

Do it however he likes but a Zero ball weight is a recipe for disaster Look at that van in the Coroners report and see what happens with zero ball weight It is sitting there horizontal with no jockey wheel How stupid is that. They wont know though as they are all dead.

[Ozsko]

I DIDNT mean load it all in the rear Was badly written I meant move it back to get a zero ball weight However he does it to get that doesnt matter

Move the axle centre line and it very much matters. Move the towbar height will also affect the tow ball weight. Put a van and car on a weigh bridge and have a play with both and see what happens.

[Guest001]

Move the axle centre line and it very much matters. Move the towbar height will also affect the tow ball weight. Put a van and car on a weigh bridge and have a play with both and see what happens.

He is talking about buying a camper trailer and wants a lower ballweight. Unless you reconstruct the thing the axle will remain in the same place.
I was being somewhat facetious/ sarcastic seeing he seems to think he has all the answers and suggested he do that and see what happens.
Any experienced vanner wouldnt be stupid enough to do that.. Wait............

[Adamtram]

So who tows a camper trailer?

The VW towbar has a low ball limit, 90kg from memory, which isn't great.

Looking for a decent after market towbar setup so I can actually tow something like a Jayco Expanda 14.44-4. Because the VW one won't let me.
A
Cheers.

I have been through the exact same thing. Unfortunately the tow ball limit is what it is. You may need to settle for a Tent Camper trailer as there are no jayco type camper trailers that will fit your allowances.

We we purchased an Outback Campers soft floor. The ball weight is at 80kg when fully loaded and tows great. I wouldn’t want to tow anything larger.

[Rocket36]

he seems to think he has all the answers

Are you deliberately being stupid mate? I haven't once said I have all the answers. This is the second time I've had to tell you this. I wouldn't come here if I had all the answers. I wouldn't need to ask the questions.

I have been through the exact same thing. Unfortunately the tow ball limit is what it is. You may need to settle for a Tent Camper trailer as there are no jayco type camper trailers that will fit your allowances.

We we purchased an Outback Campers soft floor. The ball weight is at 80kg when fully loaded and tows great. I wouldn’t want to tow anything larger.

There are some Jayco campers that have ball weights in the 80s. It actually depends on how they're ordered and built. It can be done.

But nah decided to add a new pick up truck to our ever growing fleet of vehicles. The 2018 RAM 2500 Laramie with the mighty Cummins diesel and a legal towing limit that ****s on almost anything else while giving the middle finer salute to all the other wankers out there in their crew cabs and Land Cruisers. We'll keep the Passat for what it's obviously meant for - commuting and school runs. Also means we can get a real caravan instead of a toy one. Maybe even a 5th wheel.

[doc_777]

Just be aware of the payload. 913kg on the Ram. That must include all occupants, weight on the hitch or 5th wheeler pin, luggage etc. Do you happen to know if they offer a GVM upgrade (from 4500kg)? The 4500kg GVM is to allow the vehicle to be driven on a standard car license, but if they offer an upgrade (which would necessitate you getting an LT license, but no big deal) then it potentially offers a payload upgrade to a good number.