Upgrading Towball Weight.

G'day, all. I have recently learned that the GQ has a towball weight of 120kg (not verified, yet).

I have spoken to a few engineers about upgrading that weight, with varying results.

One even suggested that as I am not upgrading GCM, bolting on a higher rated towball would suffice.

I have a Genuine Nissan tow bar which is only rated a 2270kg. This is higher than the van I hope to get, but I will upgrade to a Hayman Reese because of the recovery factor, and the bar new has a 350kg down weight.

My questions are: Does anyone know where to find the official towball weight of a GQ.

Has anyone upgraded the towball weight on a GQ.

I don't think there is an official towball weight. There will however be a max weight of what can be towed.

I stand to be corrected, but I think the person who told you that bolting on a higher rated tow bar (the complete frame - not just the tongue & towball) is correct. My tow bar frame has a compliance plate with maximum weight on it- genuine Nissan) . Provided that the towball weight does not take the weight of the car above it's GVM,( It is included in the GVM along with everything else) & the rear axle weight remains with it's load limit , & the total weight of car & van is within the GCM , and the van's weight is below what Nissan state can be towed by your vehicle all will be fine.

Wot Cuppa said X2... I've not seen a towball download figure in any vehicle specs only tow bar specs (might be one for a Patrol but if there is I've never seen or heard of it)

Towing loads are sorta like recovery equipment IE lowest rating in "chain" is the limit so whatever of the following considerations you hit first will determine the limit:-
Tyre Load Rating
Rear Axle Load Rating (and front if using WDH)
GVM
Towbar load rating
GCM
Vehicle Manuf Max Tow capacity rating
Tow Hitch rating

After visiting Vicroads, answer: Due to liability issues, we can't advise on that. Talk to Nissan.

Nissan, answer: Towing weight is 2800kg, not sure on towball weight. Consult the owners manual. (But the Carsales comparison chart states 2500kg braked for an RB30)

RACV, answer: Gross Combined Mass is 5300 kg for that model.

Reasonable assumption of 10% rule applies then I should get 280 kgs but the Nissan towbars states 2270kg, thus 227 kg down force.

The CrossTrak I am considering is only 1534kg Tare and 159kg ball weight.

With a winch fitted, My Kerb weight is around 2000- 2100 kg. (I weighed it at 2200 with the 2" lift, which has been removed).

That gives me 3653kg, so there is heaps left to play with.

Wow your car is very lite mate!! My Gq would be every bit of 3T....

Totally stock, now apart from winch and cradle. And yours is an engineering marvel...

WTF!!! My vehicle that is rated to tow over 2T and only has a rated towball capacity of 100kg!!!

I called the number and was told the that figure was obtained from an RTA vehicle descriptor site, but I still can't find that info there.

Even a freakin' Jayco JPod has a TB weight of 120kgs.

I think it may be time to talk to Hayman Reese?

As I read it, the towbar below won't increase the weight you are allowed to carry or tow with your car, but it will increase the allowed towball weight.

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However if the van you want, once loaded, is up to a similar weight of the car I would question the widsom (& safety) of doing so, regardless of the legalities.
FWIW it may be worth talking to @jack who has a similar Jayco van, (Single axle explorer now discontinued) which he tows with his later 3 litre GQ. I reckon it is probably a similar weight van but his car has a more powerful motor. Personally I reckon you might be wise to look at something lighter to tow with your vehicle. Another reason to talk to jack is to find out about the quality issues he had with a new jayco, & what he thinks of the Jayco power system. They are a good unit but built to a price, which is ok so long as you are prepared to do a bit of work on a new van. I reckon a used Jayco is probably a better option as chances are the stuff which needs sorting out already has been.

HR said basically the same as above, so I'm screwed, unless I can find a van or camper that suits. I would like to learn what others tow with their Qs.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mudnut

HR said basically the same as above, so I'm screwed, unless I can find a van or camper that suits. I would like to learn what others tow with their Qs.

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Muddy Ol' mate, have a google, Eco-tourer caravan.
Low towing profile, tare just over 1800kg, ball weight 176 kg. available in a couple of different setups.
More for Mum, Dad travel than family.
Expensive even for second hand but seem to hold their resale well.
See how you go.

Edit..........Added bonus. Drawbar folds up for convenient storage, clever.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Touses

Muddy Ol' mate, have a google, Eco-tourer caravan.
Low towing profile, tare just over 1800kg, ball weight 176 kg. available in a couple of different setups.
More for Mum, Dad travel than family.
Expensive even for second hand but seem to hold their resale well.
See how you go.

Edit..........Added bonus. Drawbar folds up for convenient storage, clever.

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So have you upgraded any components? The big issue is insurances and the state authorities insurance. If you have an accident and the towball weight is over the vehicle specs, then you may lose coverage.

Believe me, an insurance company tried to stooge me after I stacked a Fairmont that had extractors fitted. I Pointed out that I had notified them of the mod and they grudgingly paid up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mudnut

HR said basically the same as above, so I'm screwed, unless I can find a van or camper that suits. I would like to learn what others tow with their Qs.

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I'm towing a 1.7t caravan, unsure of Towball weight but am not concerned.
I understand it may not be legal but am happy to keep on towing.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by mudnut

So have you upgraded any components? The big issue is insurances and the state authorities insurance. If you have an accident and the towball weight is over the vehicle specs, then you may lose coverage.

Believe me, an insurance company tried to stooge me after I stacked a Fairmont that had extractors fitted. I Pointed out that I had notified them of the mod and they grudgingly paid up.

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Don't own one. Been sniffing around them for a number of years, not yet convinced I'm of the age to fully appreciate the caravaning 'experience'.
When I do an Eco-tourer will be high on my list of preferences. Td 42 will pull one easy peasy. Keep forgetting your'e in an RB 30, weight is your problem.

I think you'll find the GQTD42 is only 20-40 kg towball weight better, but towing weight is a few hundred better.

If you want to pull it off road your choices are very limited if you want to keep the weight down. I can't thing of anything with a hard top which beats the Tvan for weight. (Ours is 1100 to 1200kg fully packed with water full - towball weight 105kg to 110kg. If outdoor cooking is acceptable they are worth a look 'cos they've been around for 20 years, so the lighter versions (Mk2 before they started loading them up with front boxes etc) can be had for affordable prices. Very little to go wrong with them. But not a caravan! They are a solid, but basic bit of gear. We have met folk who travel in them with kids, but that wouldn't be our choice.
Saw a nice one in good nick on FB just recently for $22k

Ultimate Campers?

Vista Crossover ?

Rhinomax ?

AOR Odyssey series 2