Pete-B Posted January 16, 2018 Share Posted January 16, 2018 Hi, Not being particularly knowledgeable on the finer parts of payload and balancing I wonder if the educated ones on this subject could answer my query? I tow a box trailer behind the van in which I carry our two lecky bikes and all the luggage etc. When loaded, I put the towing hitch on the scales and it had a nose weight of 55kg, give or take, so well within what I'm allowed on the tow ball. When I'm hitched up, does this take the 55kg off my allowed vans payload and what I'm allowed over the rear axle or is it not as simple as that? Thanks for any help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted January 16, 2018 Share Posted January 16, 2018 Pete-B - 2018-01-16 7:14 PM When I'm hitched up, does this take the 55kg off my allowed vans payload... Basically, Yes. Pete-B - 2018-01-16 7:14 PM When I'm hitched up, does this take the 55kg off ... what I'm allowed over the rear axle or is it not as simple as that? Unfortunately not as simple as a straight one for one! Because the tow hitch is behind the rear axle any weight on the tow hitch exerts greater than its own weight on the rear axle and 'moves' the difference in those weights off the front axle. Google for tow hitch weight distribution or similar and you should find some tow bar manufacturers websites with weight calculators (eg possibly Armitages, Watling, TowTal, etc). Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted January 16, 2018 Share Posted January 16, 2018 The best answer is to take the whole outfit fully loaded trailer and all to a weigh bridge and get actual axle weights for all three axles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted January 16, 2018 Share Posted January 16, 2018 Oh nuts! :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 If your tow hitch is say 2.5m behind the rear axle and the wheelbase of your vehicle is 4.0m then: The front axle will be lightened by about 35kg and the rear axle loaded with an extra 35kg + the weight imposed on the tow hitch. Total extra weight on the rear axle = 35 + 55 = 90kg. But, as others have said, best to check with a specialist trailer manufacturer. Don't forget that the 55kg nose weight is a static load. Dynamic vertical loads come into play when the whole rig is travelling along the road which could conceivable over-strain the tow hitch and attachment points. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete-B Posted January 17, 2018 Author Share Posted January 17, 2018 Thanks for the great informative answers, as suggested the weighbridge would give the definitive answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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