Member Since: 08 Sep 2020
Location: Buckley, North Wales
Posts: 1150
Tow bar limit
Hi all
I was told the factory tow at only takes 750kg, and I need to fit an aftermarket one to tow my 3.5 tonne trailer loaded.
Is this true?
21st Sep 2020 10:45 pm
waterbuoy
Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: Argyll
Posts: 2862
Don't think so - I have towed large trailer (all c. 3.5 tonnes) round Europe for the past 6 years quite happily with both removeable and fixed towbars.
Their guidance was updated a few years back that if you tow a heavy trailer regularly then you should have a fixed tow bar, but as far as I am aware both are rated to the full capacity.Currently 2009 Disco 3 SE, 2013 MY D4 HSE and 2016 D4 SE
Previously:
TD5 Defender 110 CSW (230k miles)
300TDi Disco 1 (289k)
4 RR Classics (300-350k each, 2 manual, 2 auto)
110 V8 CSW (220k)
S3 109 hi cap pickup (ex RN)
S2A 88 Safari SW with lpg conversion (bloody lethal)
21st Sep 2020 10:50 pm
L319
Member Since: 14 Dec 2013
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 2080
I believe fixed and removable LR tow bars are rated at vehicle capacity 3500 kg ,
21st Sep 2020 11:13 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13635
Plus 1 , ^^^^^^ ref the 3,500Kg
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
21st Sep 2020 11:22 pm
galwaygreen
Member Since: 30 Oct 2011
Location: plymouth
Posts: 6525
detachable one now advises as only occassional towing...what ever that means..rated 3500
21st Sep 2020 11:54 pm
cmb2020
Member Since: 08 Sep 2020
Location: Buckley, North Wales
Posts: 1150
Cheers guys
22nd Sep 2020 1:02 am
aja4x4
Member Since: 14 Apr 2019
Location: Westbury
Posts: 2459
It is sort of true.
You can tow up to 750kg with an unbraked trailer but if the trailer has brakes you can tow up to 3500kg.
The 750kg is the maximum any vehicle can tow with an unbraked trailer.
22nd Sep 2020 6:10 am
garrycol
Member Since: 06 Dec 2010
Location: Canberra
Posts: 1115
In the Uk you can tow 3500kg but your tow ball weight is only 150kg so at a full 3500kg that is a bit light on and can cause the wobbles. In most other places in the world like the US and Aust we have the same 3500kg tow capacity but out vehicles and tow bars are rated to 350kg tow ball weight which is a better number to tow a full 3500kgs.
Garry
22nd Sep 2020 6:52 am
James W
Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Wirral, UK
Posts: 3067
I always though the noseweight limit on the detachable was 100kg so that's handy info from the pics above. My alko hitch is also 150kg but I've always loaded to about 95kg because of the tow bar (mistakenly it seems). The MTPLM range recommendation gives up up to about 115kg on the nose so I will try going a bit heavier on the next trip D4 XS, gone, much loved, never forgotten
2018 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography - Gone to someone with less sense and more time to enjoy it
2016 Toyota Hilux Invincible - Liberating experience
22nd Sep 2020 11:10 am
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13635
Daft question if I may , , how do u measure the nose weight is it through scales etc , plse
Many thks
22nd Sep 2020 12:45 pm
James W
Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Wirral, UK
Posts: 3067
Some people use a bit of wood and some bathroom scales, I have one of these:
Don't start reading about it on the caravan forums, you'll get your mind blown by all the opinions about measuring nose weights. Especially for twin axle vans. I just make sure the van is at towing height, on a level surface, brake off and chocked wheels.D4 XS, gone, much loved, never forgotten
2018 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography - Gone to someone with less sense and more time to enjoy it
2016 Toyota Hilux Invincible - Liberating experience
22nd Sep 2020 1:12 pm
Dondiddy
Member Since: 26 Dec 2019
Location: Hamilton
Posts: 307
This Ebay item no: eBay Item No. 323905426576 makes it relatively easy to get your nose weight right! (other manufacturers/devices are available)
22nd Sep 2020 1:13 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13635
Many thks and most appreciated
Nows there’s a thought that never entered my mind with regards to twin axles , suppose all down to experience gauging it , including the weight of the overall towing set up, out of curiosity do u ever use the council weigh ins plse
Indeed some great ideas now available
As a kid never understood why dad when loading the caravan shouted at us if we threw things in or moved items around , if I remember rightly it was an Eccles caravan with the gas lamps , the an ace globetrotter
Was always a standing joke that the old form consul would overheat going over the hogs back
Most appreciated
22nd Sep 2020 4:21 pm
nigel207
Member Since: 26 Mar 2009
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 1344
Dondiddy wrote:
This Ebay item no: eBay Item No. 323905426576 makes it relatively easy to get your nose weight right! (other manufacturers/devices are available)
Providing that you do the necessary calculation and don’t just use the scale on the jockey wheel as equating to the actual noseweight.
22nd Sep 2020 6:08 pm
aja4x4
Member Since: 14 Apr 2019
Location: Westbury
Posts: 2459
gstuart wrote:
Many thks and most appreciated
Nows there’s a thought that never entered my mind with regards to twin axles , suppose all down to experience gauging it , including the weight of the overall towing set up, out of curiosity do u ever use the council weigh ins plse
Indeed some great ideas now available
As a kid never understood why dad when loading the caravan shouted at us if we threw things in or moved items around , if I remember rightly it was an Eccles caravan with the gas lamps , the an ace globetrotter
Was always a standing joke that the old form consul would overheat going over the hogs back
Most appreciated
It is down to experience you get to know how the trailer or caravan tows and moving things around can make things better or worse. I know that my Discovery likes a lot of nose weight but you also have to take into account all the axle weights of the vehicle and trailer.
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, if I remember rightly it was an Eccles caravan with the gas lamps , the an ace globetrotter
