Jayco tow ball weight

Shifting weight to the ends of a caravan is a very bad move in terms of stability.
High yaw inertia is a major cause of instability and roll overs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFzrWHTG5e8
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

He has already stated that the 270kg is too much ball weight to be legal. I,m guessing a Pajero. Anything over 2500kg cannot exceed 180kg ball weight although his weight is around 2300kg.

With a tow ball weight of 350kg, GVM of 3350kg and a tare of 2740kg it leaves ve6y little for luggage. This is for a 200 series. Add bullbar, side steps, extra battery and roof rack (empty) this would add another 120kg leaving 140kg only. Barely enough for a passenger. Start putting anything else in and you would be illegal. A tow ball weight of 200kg would allow at least some luggage.

Hi Bigfish,

I am not sure, but if I understand your comments, you are suggesting that I am overweight. You are making an assumption that is incorrect. My 200 Series has had a GVM upgrade to 3850 Kgs. I can assure you that I am legal fully loaded with a full tank of fuel. I have had it weighed, including rear axle weight, and all legal.

Macca.

Not suggesting you are overweight at all. Just saying that a towball weight of say 350kg compared to 200kg makes a big difference to what a vehicle can carry as weight. Without a GVM upgrade many vehicles would be unable to tow max weight and carry anything at all. Many people are also ignorant of manufacturers axle weights as well. I think you will find police/inspectors will be targeting cars/vans/campers in near future as the road is more congested with travellers. I see thousands of rigs passing through Cairns every year...many are obviously overweight and the owners are well aware of this! Some people, like yourself, realise the legallities of towing at max weight and ensure their rigs are compliant. Others just take a chance and hope for the best..

No problem Bigfish, it is just that your response was a follow up on my post where I stated that my TBM was 350 Kgs. which seemed to be directed towards me. All good.

Macca.

Very little front axle weight on that disaster waiting to happen. Pretty scary though, all things considered.
Thanks for putting that up.

Peter.
That is exactly what I mentioned above and does happen. If he hit the whoopsies when turning back in then it would be even more interesting. How are the brakes on the Oka? What is it like in the Moose test?
There is no way most modern 4wd's can control the instantaneous mass transfers which happen like that. If the rear shocks cannot absorb then the rear axle nears or does bottom out, and the result is the front is pitched up and down violently. Poor, read OE, front shocks cannot cope with that. Just because the vehicle can tow the caravan doesn't mean all is correct.
The Monroe shock absorber advert used to say, "Don't find your shocks are worn or not working, BY ACCIDENT" Words to that effect anyway.

"How are the brakes on the Oka? What is it like in the Moose test?"
Unlike most other vehicles of its ilk, the OKA has 4 big discs, one on each wheel, and they work. Formally tested by my engineer.
Moose test? Lots of body roll, and more stable that it looks. Never tested to its limit at higher speed, but tyre grip on bitumen is such that it would fall over rather than slide.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

Peter. I wasn't doubting your vehicle, just thinking the brakes would be used if they lost control and some steering also have to be performed.

Understand. I doubt that the "cut off" was deliberate. The driver was possibly just busy holding it together.
Although, I must also say that it is not uncommon for caravan drivers especially to cut in way too early for no particular reason. There is a 2 or 3 second gap suggestion between vehicles and that needs to be maintained during overtaking manoeuvres too.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

Almost every driver who overtakes a truck or a towed rig cuts in. Drivers of suburban shopping trolleys and P platers are the worst in my experience, filling up my braking space and safety margin.

I use the camera on the back of the van, once I can see all of the front of the vehicle, I know I can safely go back into the left lane.

Peter.
I didn't think he unduly cut in, and at the rate he overtook you he wouldn't be close in front for very long at all.
When driving coaches for a while, semi's and B doubles would overtake. and at night, I flashed the Highbeam to indicate they had cleared. Then they swing in after the signal. Many times there was suddenly a departing large vehicle 4 to 5 metres in front but drawing away. No big deal, it happens ALL the time and I have never felt confronted, no pun. If they remained there then yes, an issue arises.

I would prefer anyone to cut in, so called, but not violently, especially if there was unexpected oncoming traffic which may cause an accident everyone can then not avoid.

The number of oscillations in the front end suggests to me that his front shockies are either inadequate for the towing job, or are very close to buggered!

Some years back, I was a passenger in a 79 series station ute that had a front shockie u/s, or missing, and the antics of the front end were similar, or worse, than Peter's example.

Bob

Bob Y
The oscillations might also be caused, not only by poor shocks on front, but poor ones at the rear AND far too
much ball weight of a big van which under such condition will also pitch and cause instantaneous mass transfer onto the ball of 2x or 3x normal ball weight. That probably adds to the front flapping up and down too. The OP was/is concerned with ball weight.