Jockey wheel hanging low

[Ivorwetwun]

I currently tow with a Saab 9-5 aero, (which incidentally is a suberb towcar) but the only issue I have is that as the car is quite sporty, it has a lowered suspension, compared to the standard 9-5. This means that when the van is attached, the jockey wheel is only some 2-3" off the deck. It is impractical to remove the jockey wheel every trip, as it fits inside the A-frame, any suggestions?

 

[Lutz]

Is the towball at the correct height? When the car is fully laden, the centre of the towball should be between 350 and 420mm above the ground. If it is less, then the towbar is not suitable for a car with a lowered suspension.

 

[Val & Frank]

Hi Lutz,

I see your comment about towball height, on mine it's 51 . Question is how do you know the correct height for your vehicle ie a 4x4 etc.

all the best

Val & Frank

 

[Lutz]

The height I quoted is the standard height for all cars except 4x4's. 4x4's are exempt from the requirement because they sometimes have to tow agricultural trailers with higher drawbars and to allow for more ground clearance. Drop plates are normally available, where required, to cover such non-standard cases and bring them into the regulation height.

 

[ColinA]

Lutz when you say fully laden, do you mean with the caravan attached or just the load in the car.

Colin

 

[Lutz]

Fully laden is fully laden, regardless of whether part of the load is applied as noseweight or whether all of it is in the boot of the car.

 

[ColinA]

Fully laden is fully laden, regardless of whether part of the load is applied as noseweight or whether all of it is in the boot of the car.

The tow ball would be at a different height in each instance.

 

[Lutz]

The tow ball would be at a different height in each instance.

No, why? It's immaterial whether 75kg of the total weight is noseweight or there's an extra 75kg in the boot of the car if the caravan is not hitched up. In both cases the total weight of the car, its GVW, must not be exceeded.

 

[ColinA]

No, why? It's immaterial whether 75kg of the total weight is noseweight or there's an extra 75kg in the boot of the car if the caravan is not hitched up. In both cases the total weight of the car, its GVW, must not be exceeded.

Lutz 75kg placed on the tow ball will make it lower than if 75kg was placed on the front seat.

Colin.

 

[Lutz]

No, why? It's immaterial whether 75kg of the total weight is noseweight or there's an extra 75kg in the boot of the car if the caravan is not hitched up. In both cases the total weight of the car, its GVW, must not be exceeded.

In that case you would be correct but I did say 75kg in the boot of the car, i.e. behind the rear axle, and not on the front seat. Although the noseweight will be applied marginally further back still, the difference in standing height will be negligible.

 

[ColinA]

In that case you would be correct but I did say 75kg in the boot of the car, i.e. behind the rear axle, and not on the front seat. Although the noseweight will be applied marginally further back still, the difference in standing height will be negligible.

In that case Ill put 70 kg at the front of the boot and measure it that way.

Thanks Lutz.

 

[Lutz]

In that case you would be correct but I did say 75kg in the boot of the car, i.e. behind the rear axle, and not on the front seat. Although the noseweight will be applied marginally further back still, the difference in standing height will be negligible.

Not just 70kg in the boot but as much as you can load the car up with to achieve its GVW.

 

[ColinA]

Not just 70kg in the boot but as much as you can load the car up with to achieve its GVW.

Yes That's what I meant.

Tanks again Lutz.

Colin.