Hitch Coupling or Draw Bar?

[SmnByt]

I've heard 100kg Max hitch load being mentioned, So is that the Max load for the Hitch Coupling on the van or the Draw Bar on the Van?

The reason I'm asking is my new Hitch Coupling turned up today and it says its Max load is 300kg

Simon

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

You need to use the lower of the two. If car is 85kg then use that even if the van is 100kg.

 

[Sproket]

As your Freelanders max weigh on the towball exceeds the max of the van, you can load it to a max of 100kg nose weight. ...don't exceed it ....

By experimenting with different nose weights you will find the best that suits your needs.

 

[SmnByt]

My Car has got a 150kg Max Tow Bar load, So that means I can go up to 150kg If I choose to??

However I was referring totally about the caravan itself. The new Hitch coupling has a Max load of 300kg, Does the Drawbar on the Van have a Max Load capacity itself??

Simon

 

[SmnByt]

As your Freelanders max weigh on the towball exceeds the max of the van, you can load it to a max of 100kg nose weight. ...don't exceed it ....

By experimenting with different nose weights you will find the best that suits your needs.

Where does the 100kg for the Van come from??

It Tows quite well with about 85kg nose weight.

I was asking because I saw 300kg on the new hitch coupling

 

[Damian]

The weights allowed for towing are determined by two influences.
1, The maximum allowed by the car manufacturer.
2, The maximum allowed by the Caravan manufacturer.
Most Al-Ko chassis are limited to 100KG MAXIMUM weight on the towhitch.
A lot of cars have low towball weights allowed, some as low as 65Kg.

Irrespective of ANY other weights, you MUST only load to the LOWER of the two limits set as above.

Your car will have its towball weight in the handbook, which is usually very different to the max towing limit of the vehicle, for example the car may be able to tow a load of 3500KG but have a towball limit of 100KG.

The caravan hitch limit for the van will be in its paperwork, or ask the van maker for their limit on your van if you do not have any van paperwork.

 

[SmnByt]

Ah, So its the chassis/ Drawbar that has the 100kg limit on it?

 

[Sproket]

If it tows well at 85kg use that as a base till you go farther afield and gain more towing experience. ..it's quite easy to get another 15kg on the nose ..

The 100kg max nose weight is for the alko chassis. ...

The coupling is designed for a big range of products / trailers well as being used for a caravan ...

 

[SmnByt]

If it tows well at 85kg use that as a base till you go farther afield and gain more towing experience. ..it's quite easy to get another 15kg on the nose ..

The 100kg max nose weight is for the alko chassis. ...

The coupling is designed for a big range of products / trailers well as being used for a caravan ...

Excellent, Thank you for the conformation regarding the chassis limit, Yes I will keep it at 85 until I get more experience.

I just wanted to know where the 100kg came from

However I have a Knott chassis not an al-ko one

 

[Sproket]

However I have a Knott chassis not an al-ko one

Is it an alloy chassis ?

 

[SmnByt]

Yes tis an alloy chassis

 

[Sproket]

Just to change the subject a little to your question about movers....

Make sure that whatever model you buy will fit that type of chassis ....

FYI

Axle movers are engineered to clamp on to modern AL-KO and BPW chassis without any drilling, which is not permitted by the chassis manufacturers as it would weaken the chassis. Other caravans such as early Lunar models with an alloy Knott chassis or specialist makes of caravans like Eriba and Gober may need additional brackets to facilitate the mover installation. For such specialist caravans you will need to consult the mover manufacturer.

 

[SmnByt]

Just to change the subject a little to your question about movers....

Make sure that whatever model you buy will fit that type of chassis ....

FYI

Axle movers are engineered to clamp on to modern AL-KO and BPW chassis without any drilling, which is not permitted by the chassis manufacturers as it would weaken the chassis. Other caravans such as early Lunar models with an alloy Knott chassis or specialist makes of caravans like Eriba and Gober may need additional brackets to facilitate the mover installation. For such specialist caravans you will need to consult the mover manufacturer.

Ahhh, Thank you for that bit of info

 

[Damian]

Quote " However I have a Knott chassis not an al-ko one "

Knott also have a 100Kg weight limit.

 

[SmnByt]

Quote " However I have a Knott chassis not an al-ko one "

Knott also have a 100Kg weight limit.

Thank you for that, Where did you find out the info, I've been googling ages trying to find that out....

 

[Damian]

I was until recently a Service Engineer for Al-Ko and Knott/BPW, amongst other manufacturers.(Now retired)

 

[SmnByt]

I was until recently a Service Engineer for Al-Ko and Knott/BPW, amongst other manufacturers.

Ahhh, Nice one :cheer:

 

[TD42]

Ah, So its the chassis/ Drawbar that has the 100kg limit on it?[/quote

It is assumed that you are referring to the caravan A frame when you are referring to the "drawbar".
on the fitted coupling there is usually a 100KG max if its an ALCO chassis but as said the hitch down loading is governed by the lowest fig between the caravan & the car, If your new hitch / coupling max exceeds the original hitch /coupling max then I would stick to the original hitch max

 

[TD42]

] sorry for the repeating of previous posts