Another caravan towing question!🙄 picture for attention!

[vdub155]

Evening all

So I’m trying to work out the s value or towball limit for my T6.1 T32 2024 204 DSG.

Appreciate there are lots of posts citing the 100kg figure, but where can I actually find it?

For those which also tow, what do you set your tow ball weight to, do you go over the 100kg? (Not looking for criticism on this point)

 

[Trouts]

@JOG might be able to help?

 

[Rich20]

There are a few things to consider here. 1. The “s” load or vertical load should be on the tow ball. If not then find it out from the manufacturer. This must not be exceeded. 2. The caravan a frame will have a weight limit which should be listed in the caravan specifications. Again this should not be exceeded. 3. The nose weight is the amount of weight of the caravan at the tow hitch and should be checked using a calibrated nose weight gauge. Some use bathroom scales but this is not 100% accurate. 4. The caravan club recommended nose weight is about 7% of the caravan weight when loaded. To get this accurate you need to get the caravan l(loaded on holiday mode) weighed on a weighbridge and then do the calculations.
I have done all this and here are my stats for an example. My caravan is 1800kg. My towball “s”” rating is 145kg. My caravan “a”frame rating is 100kg. 7% of 1800kg is 126kg. As my limiting factor is the “a” frame maximum of 100kg this is what I have my nose weight at by loading the caravan appropriately. That is another issue in itself and worth researching as it’s easy to get wrong. Hope this helps.

 

[DXX]

He’ll be clogging up the A303.

 

[vdub155]

That does help, I load my towball to 100kg, but had an interesting journey not so long ago, spoke to a dealer about an ATC, his off the record comment was go to 110kg, 10kg of the maximum isn’t an issue.

However I cannot find anywhere which states the T6.1 is a 100kg limit! Hence the query.

 

[vdub155]

He’ll be clogging up the A303.

nah, the A303 is for amateurs, if I’m going to ruin someones weekend away I’d rather do it on the M5 southbound where my work can be properly appreciated

 

[Rich20]

That does help, I load my towball to 100kg, but had an interesting journey not so long ago, spoke to a dealer about an ATC, his off the record comment was go to 110kg, 10kg of the maximum isn’t an issue.

However I cannot find anywhere which states the T6.1 is a 100kg limit! Hence the query.

It’s not the van that has the limit as far as I’m aware but the towbar / tow ball itself. This is the designed maximum downward force that the tow ball can take.
ATC is amazing by the way, it certainly lets you know when things are on the verge of going wrong

 

[vdub155]

It’s not the van that has the limit as far as I’m aware but the towbar / tow ball itself. This is the designed maximum downward force that the tow ball can take.
ATC is amazing by the way, it certainly lets you know when things are on the verge of going wrong

Ah, so if I have the Oris detachable towbar rated to 120kg towball limit, it can be loaded to 120kg?

 

[JOG]

In all my years of towing, all I’ve ever concerned myself with is whether the van is level and the caravan is level. I have a twin-axle and load all the weight over them.

 

[Rich20]

Ah, so if I have the Oris detachable towbar rated to 120kg towball limit, it can be loaded to 120kg?

In theory yes, but you still have to take into account the maximum weight that caravan chassis manufacture specifies. If you overload the “a” frame it could potentially snap.

 

[vdub155]

In theory yes, but you still have to take into account the maximum weight that caravan chassis manufacture specifies. If you overload the “a” frame it could potentially snap.

Any ideas where I can find this for the t6.1? Or is that the rear axle load of 1720kg I can’t exceed?

 

[Rich20]

In all my years of towing, all I’ve ever concerned myself with is whether the van is level and the caravan is level. I have a twin-axle and load all the weight over them.

Yea I think it is easier with twin axle as they don’t pivot as much as a single axle and the weight is spread over 4 wheels of course

 

[Rich20]

Any ideas where I can find this for the t6.1? Or is that the rear axle load of 1720kg I can’t exceed?

That should be in the specs of the caravan. If it’s on an Alko chassis then it a good bet that it will be 100kg.
The axle weight doesn’t really come into it. That’s more about the weight of the van and its payload. Allowing 100kg for the caravan noseweight still easily gives you 1620kg.

 

[Rich20]

Any ideas where I can find this for the t6.1? Or is that the rear axle load of 1720kg I can’t exceed?

That should be in the specs of the caravan. If it’s on an Alko chassis then it a good bet that it will be 100kg.
The axle weight doesn’t really come into it. That’s more about the weight of the van and its payload. Allowing 100kg for the caravan noseweight still easily gives you 1620kg.

 

[JOG]

If in doubt, just take it steady! If going through @DXX land, slow to a crawl!!!

 

[Vanderlust]

That does help, I load my towball to 100kg, but had an interesting journey not so long ago, spoke to a dealer about an ATC, his off the record comment was go to 110kg, 10kg of the maximum isn’t an issue.

However I cannot find anywhere which states the T6.1 is a 100kg limit! Hence the query.

I have a T 6 which was originally bought to tow a caravan and all the info re drawbar load ,towing weights etc is in the owners manual. (Unless the 6.1 didn’t come with one). Manual gives the 100 kg drawbar load limit and recommends setting up the trailer to give a drawbar load of the full 100 kg for maximum towing stability. I would think there must be some tolerance in that figure so being a few kgs over might not be an issue. The manual also states to check your vehicle registration document for the towing weights specific to your model of van. If that helps.

 

[DXX]

If in doubt, just take it steady! If going through @DXX land, slow to a crawl!!!

Don’t stop the Tarmac is a bit soft.