16.49 Ball weight

[Frank]

So we picked the van up and have done our first trip with no issues at all. Curiosity got the better of me after we returned, I checked the tow ball weight.
Conditions:
Van level
Gas bottle removed
Spare wheel removed
Van empty

Result: 160kg!
So my issue is the compliance plate is incorrect as with spare and gas bottle it's almost pushing 200kg. Not to mention it exceeds the tow vehicle rating..
Will moving the spare and gas bottle to the rear alleviate this problem. Will a wdh reduced ball weight..
Only putting this here incase someone has experienced this

 

[Bushman]

I measured mine a few months ago, though still with spare and twin gas bottles in place tunnel boot empty other that the jack

Plate states tare ball of 150kg mine came it at 200kg also, emptying front tank only dropped it back to 190kg, I can only assume Jayco take their tare weight prior to gas bottles and spare being added, which in my opinion is wrong, as the spare and (empty) gas bottle are part of the van add should be included in the "tare" weight.

No a WDH does not reduce the vans ball weight, it just helps share the weight back to the front axle of the Tow vehicle

 

[hamish22]

I was told by the dealer that the ball weight on your compliance plate is your bare weight minus gas bottles etc!

 

[jvp]

Gday Frank, I have a 12ft expanda. with a 1kva Honda & small amount of gear in boot, Full gas bottle & full water tank (one ) the ball weight reads 220Kg. Hard to pack weight behind axle in the 12 ft.er
jvp

 

[Frank]

Thanks for the replies guys. Can I pose another question and it'd be great if we can all be honest. Who tows a van that has a heavier ball weight than the tow vehicle is rated? It looks like I am over by 10kg

 

[crackacoldie]

My understanding is that the ball weight is a guide only and is not a legal weight, happy to be corrected if I am wrong. The issue with being over is any warranty issues on the tug.

 

[coled1970]

Due to the max ball weight being stated on the tow bar I would imagine if you where involved in an accident and the insurance company found it over they would possibly try and get out of a claim. They try to get out of as many claims as possible, how ever possible as i have found out with a claim on a sat phone.

 

[hamish22]

Thanks for the replies guys. Can I pose another question and it'd be great if we can all be honest. Who tows a van that has a heavier ball weight than the tow vehicle is rated? It looks like I am over by 10kg

I would say quite a lot of people who haven't investigated their ball weight!

I was towing for a while thought everything was covered only to later find out that my towbar tongue was not rated to suit the ball weight of my van. I quickly went to a wdh!