Towing a Camper Trailer

[Ozsko]

I DIDNT mean load it all in the rear Was badly written I meant move it back to get a zero ball weight However he does it to get that doesnt matter

Move the axle centre line and it very much matters. Move the towbar height will also affect the tow ball weight. Put a van and car on a weigh bridge and have a play with both and see what happens.

[Hillbilly]

Move the axle centre line and it very much matters. Move the towbar height will also affect the tow ball weight. Put a van and car on a weigh bridge and have a play with both and see what happens.

He is talking about buying a camper trailer and wants a lower ballweight. Unless you reconstruct the thing the axle will remain in the same place.
I was being somewhat facetious/ sarcastic seeing he seems to think he has all the answers and suggested he do that and see what happens.
Any experienced vanner wouldnt be stupid enough to do that.. Wait............

[Adamtram]

So who tows a camper trailer?

The VW towbar has a low ball limit, 90kg from memory, which isn't great.

Looking for a decent after market towbar setup so I can actually tow something like a Jayco Expanda 14.44-4. Because the VW one won't let me.
A
Cheers.

I have been through the exact same thing. Unfortunately the tow ball limit is what it is. You may need to settle for a Tent Camper trailer as there are no jayco type camper trailers that will fit your allowances.

We we purchased an Outback Campers soft floor. The ball weight is at 80kg when fully loaded and tows great. I wouldn’t want to tow anything larger.

[Rocket36]

he seems to think he has all the answers

Are you deliberately being stupid mate? I haven't once said I have all the answers. This is the second time I've had to tell you this. I wouldn't come here if I had all the answers. I wouldn't need to ask the questions.

I have been through the exact same thing. Unfortunately the tow ball limit is what it is. You may need to settle for a Tent Camper trailer as there are no jayco type camper trailers that will fit your allowances.

We we purchased an Outback Campers soft floor. The ball weight is at 80kg when fully loaded and tows great. I wouldn’t want to tow anything larger.

There are some Jayco campers that have ball weights in the 80s. It actually depends on how they're ordered and built. It can be done.

But nah decided to add a new pick up truck to our ever growing fleet of vehicles. The 2018 RAM 2500 Laramie with the mighty Cummins diesel and a legal towing limit that ****s on almost anything else while giving the middle finer salute to all the other wankers out there in their crew cabs and Land Cruisers. We'll keep the Passat for what it's obviously meant for - commuting and school runs. Also means we can get a real caravan instead of a toy one. Maybe even a 5th wheel.

[doc_777]

Just be aware of the payload. 913kg on the Ram. That must include all occupants, weight on the hitch or 5th wheeler pin, luggage etc. Do you happen to know if they offer a GVM upgrade (from 4500kg)? The 4500kg GVM is to allow the vehicle to be driven on a standard car license, but if they offer an upgrade (which would necessitate you getting an LT license, but no big deal) then it potentially offers a payload upgrade to a good number.

[Rocket36]

Just be aware of the payload. 913kg on the Ram. That must include all occupants, weight on the hitch or 5th wheeler pin, luggage etc. Do you happen to know if they offer a GVM upgrade (from 4500kg)? The 4500kg GVM is to allow the vehicle to be driven on a standard car license, but if they offer an upgrade (which would necessitate you getting an LT license, but no big deal) then it potentially offers a payload upgrade to a good number.

Yup - already aware. There are rear suspension upgrades out there that need a LV licence (no biggy there) but significantly increase the GVM. Not that it's a big deal. Even at 900kg it's more than we'd need. E.g. take a 300kg ball and you're still left with 600kgs for two adults, two toddlers and our luggage. Easy.

[doc_777]

The chev Silverado (via hsv) is only 875kg! But you’re right - 900 and some is enough so long as you don’t go silly. Nice big platform. A guy I know has the petrol one - too thirsty for me these days, but the Cummins engined ones should be great. And all that torque!

edit: one suggestion for you to consider - if you have a van built to your spec, get the largest ATM the van/chassis manufacturer will allow. We did that on our last van build and ended up with a payload for the van of nearly 900kg. Take away a couple of hundred kg for water, and still more than ample remaining - and no luggage to carry in the tow vehicle to share the weight

[Rocket36]

get the largest ATM the van/chassis manufacturer will allow. We did that on our last van build and ended up with a payload for the van of nearly 900kg. Take away a couple of hundred kg for water, and still more than ample remaining - and no luggage to carry in the tow vehicle to share the weight

Yeah - that's the plan. Doing everything right straight up. Be one in the minority - i.e. fully legal and compliant setup. Hahaha