RV MAIL
NOT ENOUGH BALL WEIGHT
During covid, we bought a poptop after much research. Until recently, we only used it a couple of times. So now we are doing a bit of a tour through New South Wales. Prior to departing, I decided to give the van a good check-out.
I read the placard in the boot with interest, noted the recommended tyre pressure and adjusted the tyres. Job one done. I then saw something interesting: the Tare weight of 2100kg and the unladen ball weight of 90kg. Hmm. With all I had read and seen over the past few years about ball weight being 10 per cent of a caravan’ s weight, I thought these numbers a bit strange.
With the water tank full, as it sits in front of the wheels, and a full tunnel boot, I decided to take the van for a local drive to see how it handled. It just didn’ t feel right.
On my next trip to town, I spent $ 60 and bought a towball scale. I got home and measured the towball weight at 110kg with the van fully loaded. My solution? My neighbour gave me four 25kg lead weights, which I distributed in the tunnel boot, hugely making a difference to the ball weight. The van rides much better and I feel more confident in towing now. I reckon it was the best $ 60 investment I have spent.
My big learning was don’ t just take the manufacturer’ s specs for granted.
Chris Lane
Thanks for the letter, Chris. Just please make sure you account for that 100kg in additional weight when doing your payload calculations! I’ m glad to hear the van is riding better and yes, always weigh your van yourself. – Ed
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