tow ball weight again
Submitted: Tuesday, Apr 03, 2007 at 14:57
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Member - Graeme M (WA)
my previous reply may not have been clear...by tow ball I meant the tow hitch of the trailer...as long as the trailer / caravan is supported directly ...or as close as possible....under the tow hitch (where the ball inserts) and it is at the normal towing level and with its normal load then the weight bearing down on the platfrom / bathroom scale etc can only be the same weight as if it was on the ball of the towing vehicle....with the trailer / caravan connected up to your vehicle try placing the scales under the A frame as close as you can to the hitch/ ball and simply use a hydraulic jack on top of the scales to lift it clear...take the reading minus the jack weight...there it is as accurate as you will ever need
Reply By: Wayne-o - Tuesday, Apr 03, 2007 at 15:15
Tuesday, Apr 03, 2007 at 15:15
unscrew the tow ball and weigh it in some kitchen scales, i think they weigh about a kilo............haha
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - Reiner G (QLD) 4124 - Tuesday, Apr 03, 2007 at 19:10
Tuesday, Apr 03, 2007 at 19:10
If you put a scale under the jockey wheel you be close enough. If you want to be more accurate put a piece of pipe in the coupling and place a scale under that. Most scales go to 120kg so you should be right.
Reiner
AnswerID:
231475
Reply By: D-Jack - Tuesday, Apr 03, 2007 at 20:28
Tuesday, Apr 03, 2007 at 20:28
Not many people's tow ball weight will be undr 120kgs, especially in a caravan as per original post
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Follow Up By: lifeisgood - Tuesday, Apr 03, 2007 at 22:17
Tuesday, Apr 03, 2007 at 22:17
Didnt see Reiners baby caravan did you ? LOL
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492489
Follow Up By: D-Jack - Tuesday, Apr 03, 2007 at 22:37
Tuesday, Apr 03, 2007 at 22:37
120kg might work for a Teardrop, but probably not for most
well equipped caravans
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492499
Reply By: Member - Reiner G (QLD) 4124 - Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007 at 08:43
Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007 at 08:43
If you tow-ball weight is over 120kg I would hate to tow what ever it is you're towing. Have a look what the legal downweight is for most towbars/cars.
Most modern cars have a 60 or 80kg limit.
And if one scale is not enough borrow one from next door and use two:-)
Reiner ( towball weight 25kg total weight 340kg and loving it)
AnswerID:
231591
Reply By: peason - Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 at 17:44
Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 at 17:44
If you suspect that your ball weight is greater than 120 kg.... you could go to a public weighbridge. Park your tow vehicle so that is not on the
bridge. Get 2 weights....one with the van connected to your vehicle......and the other with it disconnected and the jockey wheel on the
bridge. The difference should be your ball weight.
AnswerID:
234957