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Post Info TOPIC: Caravan Tow Ball Weights, etc.


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Caravan Tow Ball Weights, etc.


Hi All,

First time poster...so please be kind!

My husband and I are looking at purchasing our first caravan.

I am getting my head around all the different weights you need to keep in mind in relation to your towing vehicle, etc.

We are towing with a 2013, AWD, Diesel, Ford Territory.  It has a 2.7 tonne tow limit with 270 kg tow ball weight limit.

One of the caravans we are looking at has a tare of 2160 kg, ATM of 2560 kg and ball of 260 kg.

My question is will the Territory do the job?  Also, is the 260 kg tow ball weight on the high side for a caravan with these weight specs?

Thanking you in advance for any assistance.

 



-- Edited by Kimbra on Wednesday 7th of February 2018 07:35:40 PM

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Kimbra is the figure of 260kg the measured ball weight today, the plated ball weight at Tare (empty), or the plated ball weight maximum? Cheers, Steve

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Hello Kimbra,
I see no-one else has seen your post other than Barboots so I'll welcome you into the forum. You'll get some more welcomes from other members too.
Mostly we are friendly & willing to share limited or experienced knowledge with those who ask (sometimes some of us get caught on "band wagons").

if you do a "Search" on mainly the techies tab, you'll find a stack of information - mainly in the last six months on the "Dreaded Weight Issue" where some of us have some dramas (including me).

Bear in mind what you can tow depends on what load you have in the car - NOT WHAT A CARAVAN SALESPERSON TELLS YOU! Check your Compliance plates, get the car weighed on a weigh bridge - either full or empty. Load = passengers + fuel + what else you carry + ball weight.

I'm sticking my neck out here but I think "your" van's 260Kg is a bit heavy. Is that loaded?
Can you advise a bit more about the van, were you'd like to go, etc? Three years ago we saw a similar car to yours on the Birdsville Track - they did two tyres on the southern section because they were of low profiles which did not agree with the stoney road.

The Scalies are interested in your Gross Vehicle Mass, the ATM of the van & with some vehicles, the Gross Combination Mass (total weight of the rig).

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Warren

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2019 Isuzu D-Max dual cab, canopy, Fulcrum suspension; 2011 17' Jayco Discovery poptop Outback



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Hi Steve,

It is one of the weights that is on the brochure for the caravan we are considering.

We actually did go and look at it but never thought  about the tow ball weight at the time - only asked about tare and atm.

I will give the dealer a call and ask the questions you have brought up.  With a bit of luck it might be the third thing you suggested - as in the plated ball weight maximum.

 

Thanks for your help.



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Hi Warren,

Thank you for your quick reply.

I'm not sure if it is fully loaded or not.

After what Steve has pointed out I need to contact the dealer and find out what the 260 kg ball weight is specifically referring to.

There is so much to learn and I will do what you have suggested and search some previous posts about weight, etc.



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Hello again Kimbra,
Have a look at this posting thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t64199536/vehicle-and-caravan-weights-not-all-as-the-brochure-says/ - it's on page 5 of the techies pages - found by one of the forum's experts (Rockylizard). The insert is worth reading.

If you're buying a new van - ask the dealer what is incorporated with the TARE weight. I believe it is the weight of the caravan as it leaves the factory. If the dealer adds "extras" eg a battery (or two), solar panel(s), etc, they will eat into the ATM (the load).

I bought my van from a dealer (2nd hand) & was told "my vehicle (rated to 3.5T) will easily tow that van" - yes, it could if the van was almost empty!

Do your homework carefully & try no to rush the purchase.

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Warren

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If you don't get it done today, there's always tomorrow!

2019 Isuzu D-Max dual cab, canopy, Fulcrum suspension; 2011 17' Jayco Discovery poptop Outback



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Kimbra wrote:

Hi All,

First time poster...so please be kind!

My husband and I are looking at purchasing our first caravan.

I am getting my head around all the different weights you need to keep in mind in relation to your towing vehicle, etc.

We are towing with a 2013, AWD, Diesel, Ford Territory.  It has a 2.7 tonne tow limit with 270 kg tow ball weight limit.

One of the caravans we are looking at has a tare of 2160 kg, ATM of 2560 kg and ball of 260 kg.

My question is will the Territory do the job?  Also, is the 260 kg tow ball weight on the high side for a caravan with these weight specs?

Thanking you in advance for any assistance.

 



-- Edited by Kimbra on Wednesday 7th of February 2018 07:35:40 PM


 

Kimbra,

The van you are looking at has an ATM of 2560kg and your towing capacity is 2700kg so you are ok there.

You only have 400kg of payload based on the tare provided and this will not include water or gas or any extras fitted (if any) after the van leaves the factory. You will need to manage this carefully.

Ball weight loaded should ideally be 10% of the laden van so I'm assuming the figure you were given would be that. Check that with the dealer.

Just remember actual ball weight is variable and needs to be regularly monitored.It will vary with van load positioning. At 260kg you are within the tugs rating of 270kg.

The only other rating you need to know is the GCM, which the measured weight of your combination must not legally exceed.  Your tug may have a GCM rating, if not you will be restricted by other ratings.

Whilst not a legal requirement, in the interest of safety, it is advisable that the tug weight exceeds the van weight. In other words your tug GVM ought to exceed van ATM by around 10%.

Hope this helps



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Monty. RV Dealer.



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Kimbra wrote:

Hi Warren,

Thank you for your quick reply.

I'm not sure if it is fully loaded or not.

After what Steve has pointed out I need to contact the dealer and find out what the 260 kg ball weight is specifically referring to.

There is so much to learn and I will do what you have suggested and search some previous posts about weight, etc.





I would suggest that if it is shown on a brochure it is the ball weight when empty.

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Bill B


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Hi Monty,

That certainly helps to explain things a little clearer.

As I can't seem to find the gvm weight for the Ford Territory AWD diesel, 2013 can anyone help?  It isn't on the build plate and I can't seem to find it on the internet.

I know the GCM is 5250 kg.

Thank you

 



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Hi Bill,

If the brochure is showing the ball weight when empty would you suggest that we now look for a different caravan?  Obviously, when fully loaded the ball weight on the Territory is going to be even more.

I did think it was quite heavy given the ball weight on some other caravans we have looked at.  It is a 17ft6 caravan on a single axle.  Although is it sitting on a heavy duty frame.

 



-- Edited by Kimbra on Thursday 8th of February 2018 11:41:15 AM

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Kimbra wrote:

Hi Bill,

If the brochure is showing the ball weight when empty would you suggest that we now look for a different caravan?  Obviously, when fully loaded the ball weight on the Territory is going to be even more.

I did think it was quite heavy given the ball weight on some other caravans we have looked at.  It is a 17ft6 caravan on a single axle.  Although is it sitting on a heavy duty frame.

 



-- Edited by Kimbra on Thursday 8th of February 2018 11:09:10 AM



Contact the dealer/manufacturer and establish whether the 260 kgs is at tare weight or is the maximum allowed.

If it is the maximum allowed find out what it is at tare weight.

If the 260 kgs is at tare weight then that van isn't suitable for your tow vehicle in my opinion.

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Bill B


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Gday...

Jest a thought ... if you are buying this through a dealer/yard ... they will be keen for a sale ... simply ask them to actually weigh the towball ... empty if it must - but with some weight in it preferably.

I could be wrong, wouldn't be the first time, but with an ATM of 2560 I would think it unlikely the 'unladen' ball weight would be as high as 260Kg.

Cheers - John



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Kimbra wrote:

Hi Monty,

That certainly helps to explain things a little clearer.

As I can't seem to find the gvm weight for the Ford Territory AWD diesel, 2013 can anyone help?  It isn't on the build plate and I can't seem to find it on the internet.

I know the GCM is 5250 kg.

Thank you

 Kimbra,

Ford Territory 2011/2017.

BTC...2700kg with Ford Towpack.

It is highly unlikely that your ball weight at tare would be 260kg for your van. The ball weight at tare is always stamped on the van compliance plate and is really a meaningless piece of information. The ball weight that matters is the measured ball weight of the loaded van which, in your case cannot legally exceed 270kg.

Kerb Weight......2097/2169kg depending on model

GCM......5250kg

No GVM quoted...contact Ford.

Without knowing the GVM it is difficult to figure the GCM but I think it will be ok. The GVM needs to be above 2690kg.


 



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Monty. RV Dealer.



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Thank's Monty I will do some checking.



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Hi Monty,

Just for your information and in case anyone else asks the same question about the gvm of the AWD 2013 Diesel Territory, 5 seater (which we have) it is 2635 kg.  If you have the 7 seater it is 2720.

I think this pretty much will rule out us getting this particular van as I think the numbers are sailing a bit too close to the wind from a safety towing point of view.



-- Edited by Kimbra on Thursday 8th of February 2018 12:12:48 PM



-- Edited by Kimbra on Thursday 8th of February 2018 12:13:45 PM

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Kimbra wrote:

Hi Monty,

Just for your information and in case anyone else asks the same question about the gvm of the AWD 2013 Diesel Territory, 5 seater (which we have) it is 2635 kg.  If you have the 7 seater it is 2720.

I think this pretty much will rule out us getting this particular van as I think the numbers are sailing a bit too close to the wind from a safety towing point of view.



-- Edited by Kimbra on Thursday 8th of February 2018 12:12:48 PM



-- Edited by Kimbra on Thursday 8th of February 2018 12:13:45 PM


Kimbra,

In that case your combined measured weight cannot exceed 4935kg which will be your maximum GCM.

GVM plus ATM minus Ball weight.

2635kg+2560kg-260kg=4935kg

You will lose 315kg of your payload.

This is a perfect example of how buyers can get themselves into trouble by not doing their homework.

Good luck with your search



-- Edited by montie on Thursday 8th of February 2018 02:15:44 PM

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Monty. RV Dealer.



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Monty,

Thank you for all your help!  Much appreciated.



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And its welcome from us two 2 kimbra your going good here lots to learn before you buy so a pat on the back from us , just a point that no one has mentioned that the GCM includes you the driver and your passenger if you have one plus any gear in the back seat n boot

Woody

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This link may help you get your head around things www.withoutahitch.com.au/caravan/ask-expert-navigate-tow-vehicle-limits/#

I have always found that the compliance plate is usually incorrect and tare weight is a fairy tale, your van will never be that weight again, it may never have been there anyway, while ball weight is a guestimate.

Ex Truckie so this weights thing is just second nature to me.

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The CCA web-site - www.caravancouncil.com.au - has, under COMPLIANCE, an informative doc on "Ratings & Masses".

"Ratings & Masses" are by far the No: 1 reason for 'van problems, complaints, and litigation cases.

Safe & Happy Travels!

Colin 



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