Hi there, read lately that on some vehicles, it is permissible to increase the ball weight providing the vehicle load is reduced so that the vehicles stated GVM is still not exceeded. Anyone else aware of this??
Greg
Ball weight
Moderators: krp102, Coxy68, robcaz
Re: Ball weight
The law states, maximum ball weight is set by the vehicle manufacturer or the towbar manufacturer, whichever is the least.
The Gross Vehicular Mass (GVM) is the maximum weight the vehicle is allowed to be operated at, that is the Tare or kerb weight plus the payload. The payload of a vehicle includes the occupants & cargo as well as any accessories such as a bull bar, tow bar, winch, roof rack & plus the ball weight.
It may be necessary in some situations to reduce the items in the vehicle to accommodate the ball weight so the GVM is met.
The rule of thumb for ball weight is around 10% to 15% of the trailers weight.
Some vehicles can have the GVM upgraded by an engineer. By simply adding a heavy duty suspension does not necessarily give a greater GVM.
There is also Gross Combined Mass (GCM). This may explain it better http://www.campertrailers.org/balancing_act.htm
The Gross Vehicular Mass (GVM) is the maximum weight the vehicle is allowed to be operated at, that is the Tare or kerb weight plus the payload. The payload of a vehicle includes the occupants & cargo as well as any accessories such as a bull bar, tow bar, winch, roof rack & plus the ball weight.
It may be necessary in some situations to reduce the items in the vehicle to accommodate the ball weight so the GVM is met.
The rule of thumb for ball weight is around 10% to 15% of the trailers weight.
Some vehicles can have the GVM upgraded by an engineer. By simply adding a heavy duty suspension does not necessarily give a greater GVM.
There is also Gross Combined Mass (GCM). This may explain it better http://www.campertrailers.org/balancing_act.htm
happy camping
Rob & Carol
Australian CamperTrailers Group co-owner
We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year
Rob & Carol
Australian CamperTrailers Group co-owner
We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year
-
Ern_Reeders
- Posts: 62
- Joined: Wed Feb 19, 2014 2:16 pm
- Location: Melbourne
Re: Ball weight
Rob's given you the rules.Burto51 wrote:Hi there, read lately that on some vehicles, it is permissible to increase the ball weight providing the vehicle load is reduced so that the vehicles stated GVM is still not exceeded. Anyone else aware of this??
Greg
To my knowledge there's some variation of the type you mention in the case of one model Pajero. Check out the Pajero Vic forum.
Cheers, Ern
Pioneer Argyle SE and Isuzu MU-X
Pioneer Argyle SE and Isuzu MU-X