TOWBALL OVERHANG

[W3526602]

Hi,

 

I read somewhere that the centre of a towball must not be more than 1200mm from the centre of the rear axle. At least, I THINK thats what it said. Can anyone comment?

 

I've just bought a LDV box van, and the rear hamper is very close to that distance. When it stops raining, I'll go and measure it.

 

602

[Derek Uzzell]

602:

 

As far as I'm aware there is no rule governing the maximum distance a tow-ball may be from a vehicle's rear axle, but there are regulations limiting the length of a vehicle's rear overhang (ie. the distance from the rear axle's centre-line to the extreme rear of the vehicle). Traditionally (and speaking simply), overhang could not exceed 60% of the vehicle's wheelbase, though compliance with more recent alternative rules can result in an overhang (on motorhomes) nearing 70% of wheelbase.

 

If tow-ball to axle distance were restricted to 1200mm, then hardly any coachbuilt motorhomes could legally tow. Look through MMM's older Live-in Test Reports (that provided the rear overhang length) and you'll be very lucky to find an overhang below 1200mm (and that excludes the extra distance from the axle that a tow-ball adds, of course). Indeed some motorhomes' rear overhang can be over twice 1.2m.

 

Suggest you identify where you read about the 1200mm limit and check exactly what was said.

[tonyishuk]

Just as important is the correct height (after loading).

 

Seen a few wound up jockey wheels touching the road on bumps, and on sleeping policement (as can speed ramps :-) ) can do servere damage.

 

Rgds

[W3526602]

Hi,

 

Many thanks for replies. I'm pretty sure that I rad the "advice" in a camper glossy magazine, probably inside the last year-ish. With luck, I will still have the magazine but its going to be a pain looking for one sentencein all those magazines.

 

At the time I couldn't really make sense of what I was reading, hence my question.

 

I once towed a 12ft Sprite Alpine behind a 1965 Sunbeam Alpine two seater....short wheelbase and longish tail. I overtook a long stream of HGVs going up a hill.....and they all passed me on the inside going down the other side. Frightening!

 

602