Why do some vans have their tow hitch located on a plate at the bottom of the A frame & yet others are fitted to the top?
Is there a structural or engineering reason? Since getting our van, I've had a few issues (either scraping the rear step or the tow ball screw on gutters). I thought a week ago at Gilgandra that I could lift the now adjustable car's tow hitch up a hole that I could over come the issues but no, it didn't work.
Warren
Delta18 said
08:53 PM Jan 20, 2017
Did you buy your van new?
If not the original owner may have had a taller vehicle (hitch) and had the ball mounted low to allow them to level the van.
You could have it raised if that would help.
PeterD said
09:49 PM Jan 20, 2017
Warren-Pat_01 wrote:
Why do some vans have their tow hitch located on a plate at the bottom of the A frame & yet others are fitted to the top?
Warren, first of all download yourself a copy of Vehicle Standards Bulletin VSB1 This is a compilation of the regulations for building small trailers. Then go to section 16.4.1: 50mm Ball Couplings. This specifies the height limits for your tow ball on your tug.
Ball couplings on towbars are required to be installed so that the height of the centre of the body of the ball coupling is between 350mm and 420mm from the ground when laden (Refer to ADR 62/01). Alternatively, if complying with the requirements of ADR 62/02 the maximum height of the centre of the body of the ball coupling may be increased to 460mm. However, the ball may be installed at any other height, provided it is also capable of being adjusted to at least one height within the 350-460mm range. The coupling body used on trailers should be designed to be compatible with these heights.
I think it was Jayco who started mounting the couplings low in the drawbar. I believe they had some problems and sought legal advice. The legal advice was they should stick to the 350 - 460 mm coupling height. I see that many of the other manufacturers have fallen in behind Jayco. If you require the coupling at any other height you will have to rebuild the drawbar and have it certified under your own exercise.
I suggest you read the rest of VSB-1 to see the rest of the requirements for trailers (including caravans.)
TheHeaths said
10:19 PM Jan 20, 2017
Warren , I agree with PeterD's answer.
Jayco mount the ball hitch at the bottom of the A frame on their Outback models, as they are higher than the road versions.
I suggest others followed this to meet the required height for a Ball type mount.
AS far as I am aware, the height stipulation only applies to ball type hitches, not the other popular type hitches available.
macka17 said
05:04 AM Jan 22, 2017
And there again.
The reason H.R have the Adjustable pin Ball mount.
to suit differing heights of different vans drawbars\balls.
Delta18 said
09:42 AM Jan 22, 2017
macka17 wrote:
And there again.
The reason H.R have the Adjustable pin Ball mount. to suit differing heights of different vans drawbars\balls.
Or for differing height tow vehicle towbars.
Warren-Pat_01 said
03:52 PM Jan 22, 2017
Thanks everyone for your advice. I had always wondered why the "Outbacks" had the tow hitch mounted low.
Neil & Lynne,
No the van was bought second hand & it has been a gradual learning course on our current trip finding out how the water tank switch, the HWS & toilet work. Only the basic info is given on the Jayco DVD & the seller (a New Age agent) only gave a quick going over.
They did however pass on some questions I had of the previous owners.
I was under the van today investigating where I would put water tank gauges & saw that both tanks are installed hard over on the LHS of the van so ensuring the majority of the load weight is leaning to the LHS.
Peter,
Does a 50mm ball have a weight limit? I note some are stamped 3.5T which until I work out if I'm going to stick to the standard coupling, I think I should be using (for safety). The van has an ATM of 2ton.
Warren
mickle said
05:47 PM Feb 21, 2017
Hi, had same problem
with our Jayco 23,6 . went to local engeneering shop , 50mm steel block ,he said he has done few like mine , worked spot on .
Why do some vans have their tow hitch located on a plate at the bottom of the A frame & yet others are fitted to the top?
Is there a structural or engineering reason? Since getting our van, I've had a few issues (either scraping the rear step or the tow ball screw on gutters). I thought a week ago at Gilgandra that I could lift the now adjustable car's tow hitch up a hole that I could over come the issues but no, it didn't work.
Warren
Did you buy your van new?
If not the original owner may have had a taller vehicle (hitch) and had the ball mounted low to allow them to level the van.
You could have it raised if that would help.
Warren, first of all download yourself a copy of Vehicle Standards Bulletin VSB1 This is a compilation of the regulations for building small trailers. Then go to section 16.4.1: 50mm Ball Couplings. This specifies the height limits for your tow ball on your tug.
I think it was Jayco who started mounting the couplings low in the drawbar. I believe they had some problems and sought legal advice. The legal advice was they should stick to the 350 - 460 mm coupling height. I see that many of the other manufacturers have fallen in behind Jayco. If you require the coupling at any other height you will have to rebuild the drawbar and have it certified under your own exercise.
I suggest you read the rest of VSB-1 to see the rest of the requirements for trailers (including caravans.)
Jayco mount the ball hitch at the bottom of the A frame on their Outback models, as they are higher than the road versions.
I suggest others followed this to meet the required height for a Ball type mount.
AS far as I am aware, the height stipulation only applies to ball type hitches, not the other popular type hitches available.
The reason H.R have the Adjustable pin Ball mount.
to suit differing heights of different vans drawbars\balls.
Or for differing height tow vehicle towbars.
Neil & Lynne,
No the van was bought second hand & it has been a gradual learning course on our current trip finding out how the water tank switch, the HWS & toilet work. Only the basic info is given on the Jayco DVD & the seller (a New Age agent) only gave a quick going over.
They did however pass on some questions I had of the previous owners.
I was under the van today investigating where I would put water tank gauges & saw that both tanks are installed hard over on the LHS of the van so ensuring the majority of the load weight is leaning to the LHS.
Peter,
Does a 50mm ball have a weight limit? I note some are stamped 3.5T which until I work out if I'm going to stick to the standard coupling, I think I should be using (for safety). The van has an ATM of 2ton.
Warren
Hi, had same problem
with our Jayco 23,6 . went to local engeneering shop , 50mm steel block ,he said he has done few like mine , worked spot on .