MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Tim - Stratford on February 02, 2015, 09:26:19 PM
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After a bit of discussion re tow-ball weight of camper trailers and knowing the KK is rather heavy, I decided to purchase a set of 'towball weight' scales.
They arrived today so I raced out to check the ball-weight of the KK.....HOLY SCHITE!!!! :o :o :o
270kgs!
I'm thinking I'm going to modify the loading and where everything lives whilst on the scales to see what difference I can make....Anyone else game to share their 'friend's' campers ball weight? :-*
Tim
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I am guessing mine is similar to yours mate. I have started to remove my just in case stuff that never gets used.
They are crazy heavy. I dread to think what my old one weighed with the 15hp outboard, fuel and Honda EU20i all in the front box as well as 3 x jerries across the front ??? Scarey!
Regards
Jas
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Yep.............................had the same issue the first trip away in our Cape York Explorer Extreme ( 10 years ago ), ran it over the weigh bridge at work and it was about the same as yours.........300kg !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We now repack the heavy items to the rear and it's helped a bit but I would guess it's still around the 200 to 220kg mark.....................legal but your not going to be lifting it up by yourself any time soon ;D
All hard floor campers with sizable front boxers are in this league, it's just the way it is :-\ , but a lot of manufacturers will tell people otherwise when making the sale !!
It comes as a bit of a shock the first time you see the real numbers hey, but that's life :cheers:
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Interesting comparison of scales
http://www.campertrailers.org/group/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=269 (http://www.campertrailers.org/group/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=269)
KB
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I am guessing mine is similar to yours mate.
Nah, yours is heavier Jas - all that new canvas that we don't have to carry! ;D
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Interesting comparison of scales
G'day KB,
Hopefully my scales are fake - the real ones might show less weight! ;D
Tim
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G'day KB,
Hopefully my scales are fake - the real ones might show less weight! ;D
Tim
bring em to the swap meet!!!! we can have a competition...
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Nah, yours is heavier Jas - all that new canvas that we don't have to carry! ;D
Lol I will pack them on the rear now! :cheers:
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I am guessing mine is similar to yours mate. I have started to remove my just in case stuff that never gets used.
They are crazy heavy. I dread to think what my old one weighed with the 15hp outboard, fuel and Honda EU20i all in the front box as well as 3 x jerries across the front ??? Scarey!
Regards
Jas
Yep, 260kg when I weighed it with an empty fridge but pantry stocked, water tanks full, 1kva Yamaha generator and about 15l of fuel plus tools and some recovery gear.
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i thought my 220 was bad. I feel a bit better after hearing you guys!
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My Cub Supamatic Regal off-road weighs in at 130 but when packed to go away comes in at 140.
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220kg but hopefully with creative placement I can get down to 200kg but the jerrycans on the drawbar will become decoration.
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Both tyres and tow ball weight, in lbs, not kg.
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My hard floor is 180kg with empty Engel and 2x4kg gas bottles and without generator and full jerry cans plus 80 LTS of water under the rear
Sent from my ZTE T83 using Tapatalk
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Goldstream storm RL (reverse layout kitchen at rear)
130kgs ball for a weekend away
155kgs for when we did our half lap around Oz
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This is the first design criteria I look for in a camper.
Dont want to offend anyone, but those weights are stupid!
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This is the first design criteria I look for in a camper.
Dont want to offend anyone, but those weights are stupid!
Have you weighed yours, loaded and ready to roll?
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200kg, empty fridge and no jerry cans (Pioneer Argyle SE)
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226KGS, empty 50ltr fridge & large pantry, 2 x 4.5kg gas bottles (Full) 2x empty 20ltr jerry cans, light stuff packed into front storage compartment empty 100ltr water. tank
Ecomate forward fold..,
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Have no scales, so no opportunity to measure.... but seeing this thread I feel I should check...
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80% Finished build of a Jayco " Flite sized " style camper has the scales under the jocky wheel on 45 Kg atm ;D Bound to go up in weight but hopefuly stay well under the 80 / 100 Kg mark .
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312 kg loaded
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312 kg loaded
:o
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Tvan ready to go ( except cold food) - 65Kg with:
Only 2x4.5 kg gas bottles and small battery on the drawbar
Full 70l water tank behind axle
2 x full jerrycans behind axle
Empty fridge behind the axle
Measured under the jockey wheel
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Tvan ready to go ( except cold food) - 65Kg with:
Only 2x4.5 kg gas bottles and small battery on the drawbar
Full 70l water tank behind axle
2 x full jerrycans behind axle
Empty fridge behind the axle
Measured under the jockey wheel
But, the newer Tvans with the front box went well over 200kg's !!
Used to own a 2007 KK ( with the old smaller front box ), with no fridge, 150kg's..
The latest Lifestyle AT10 van....140kg's
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312 kg loaded
You win :cup:
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312 kg loaded
dyslexic - should have been 132 kg loaded
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Outback Sturt 118kg packed . Dunno bout the total weight haven't weighed it
Caravan 1300kg - 14 footer , front kitchen pop top 125kg loaded
But tow vehicle max is 150kg on ball and 2100 total . Done on purpose , don't beleive in taking a ton of crap on holidays ....... And still think I'm taking too much !
We grew out of a 10 foot 1960's caravan ????
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dyslexic - should have been 132 kg loaded
thank christ for that, back to special school for you ;D
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dyslexic - should have been 132 kg loaded
Funny you say that as I was thinking it was a mistake when I read it a few hours ago. :D
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After a bit of discussion re tow-ball weight of camper trailers and knowing the KK is rather heavy, I decided to purchase a set of 'towball weight' scales.
They arrived today so I raced out to check the ball-weight of the KK.....HOLY SCHITE!!!! :o :o :o
270kgs!
I'm thinking I'm going to modify the loading and where everything lives whilst on the scales to see what difference I can make....Anyone else game to share their 'friend's' campers ball weight? :-*
lf you don't tell then :police: will never know , your secret is safe with us ,,,,,, :-[ :cheers:
Tim
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Funny you say that as I was thinking it was a mistake when I read it a few hours ago. :D
yer my fingers quite often make mistkaes
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Wonder could you use a set of bathroom scales and a milk crate to get a rough idea? What to bathroom scales top out at?
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Wonder could you use a set of bathroom scales and a milk crate to get a rough idea? What to bathroom scales top out at?
There's one way to find out..... ;D
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There's one way to find out..... ;D
The 1 thing I lack is motivation!
This might end up as a revival for tandem campers?!
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Wonder could you use a set of bathroom scales and a milk crate to get a rough idea? What to bathroom scales top out at?
120 or maybe 150kg. Probably not much more.
http://members.optusnet.com.au/bpdons/stars/neville/handyhints/towball_weight.htm (http://members.optusnet.com.au/bpdons/stars/neville/handyhints/towball_weight.htm)
KB
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120 or maybe 150kg. Probably not much more.
The old style with the rotary dial will keep going around and around.
Count the spins......up to a point..... ;D ;D
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Wonder could you use a set of bathroom scales and a milk crate to get a rough idea? What to bathroom scales top out at?
From what I can remember most went to 120kg.
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From what I can remember most went to 120kg.
...and then they went around again.... ;D ;D
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Might see if I can ebay an American set, surely they measure in tonnes now??!!
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...and then they went around again.... ;D ;D
It Broke >:D >:D
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Might see if I can ebay an American set, surely they measure in tonnes now??!!
Imperial tonnes. Gotta have a buffer >:D
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At first, mine was around 190kg (11% of GVM).
I thought that was a bit on the fat side, so I rejigged my load distribution and got it down to 150kg at the hitch (8% of GVM).
next trip out it wagged its tail more than a happy Labrador, and I damned near rolled the thing.
It quickly got put back to 190kg, and tows like a dream.
It's not all about ball weight, weight distribution and handling dynamics also come into play. If that's how the manufacturer has designed it, and it tows well with that ball weight, perhaps the effort needs to into making sure the car can take the load rather than changing the trailer ?
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It's not all about ball weight, weight distribution and handling dynamics also come into play. If that's how the manufacturer has designed it, and it tows well with that ball weight, perhaps the effort needs to into making sure the car can take the load rather than changing the trailer ?
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Hi All
I agree with Spada. All vans ,boat and camper trailer's have pushed the axle back and increased the ball weight.
A lot better Towing
Cheers Lloyd
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...and then they went around again.... ;D ;D
You talking from experience in this matter ??? ??? :cheers:
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Hi All
I agree with Spada. All vans ,boat and camper trailer's have pushed the axle back and increased the ball weight.
A lot better Towing
Cheers Lloyd
Ultimate seem to be able to come to a sensible compromise on ball weight. How do they manage it?
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Ultimate seem to be able to come to a sensible compromise on ball weight. How do they manage it?
By making an unsensible camper that looks like an upturned boat ;D ;D ;D
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By making an unsensible camper that looks like an upturned boat ;D ;D ;D
:cup:
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By making an unsensible camper that looks like an upturned boat ;D ;D ;D
;D
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;D
Nah, I have many! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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That's why there is nothing up front :D
Sent from my tablet
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Wonder could you use a set of bathroom scales and a milk crate to get a rough idea? What to bathroom scales top out at?
A google search will show a method where you can divert 50% of the weight to a set of bathroom scales. You don't smash the scales and you simply double the weight shown on the scales to give you the ball weight figure. I ended up buying a set of tow ball scales and used it once.
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We can lift our hitch up off the ground, Just . Were gonna put the camper on a weighbridge. Fully loaded up with no water in the tank. I feel very confident were well under, but for peace of mind.
99% of mods are now done ;D ;D. Any other mods are going to reduce the weight.
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A google search will show a method where you can divert 50% of the weight to a set of bathroom scales. You don't smash the scales and you simply double the weight shown on the scales to give you the ball weight figure. I ended up buying a set of tow ball scales and used it once.
I posted a link on the previous page :D
KB
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2015 KK
215Kgs, water tank full, gas bottles full, 50L fridge Full.
Getting the extended drawbar fitted next week so will hopefully lower the weight slightly.
Clae
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Modcon Grandeur.
Water tank full, 2 gas bottles full, ready to go - 190kgs
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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2015 KK
215Kgs, water tank full, gas bottles full, 50L fridge Full.
Getting the extended drawbar fitted next week so will hopefully lower the weight slightly.
Clae
how does extending the drawbar lower the ball weight, wouldn't it increase it seeing it's increasing the distance from the axle more?
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Might see if I can ebay an American set, surely they measure in tonnes now??!!
Tons ... There have been tons in the USA since before the Revolution.
A USA (Standard) and UK (Imperial) Tonne are different. Short ton or Long ton, Long ton is close to a metric ton, about 220 lbs (100kg) differentiate a Standard ton and a Metric (Ton/Tonne).
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how does extending the drawbar lower the ball weight, wouldn't it increase it seeing it's increasing the distance from the axle more?
I would off thought so, but Im just a dumb ass chippy, what do you do for a living? ;D :D
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how does extending the drawbar lower the ball weight, wouldn't it increase it seeing it's increasing the distance from the axle more?
Extending the drawbar will reduce the load at the tow ball.
In layman's terms, think short crow bar v long crow bar.
The principle is discussed here......
http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=41355.msg682884#msg682884 (http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=41355.msg682884#msg682884)
Reply #5 is the tech version.
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210kg everything full, I would like it to be less, but it tow's great anyway!!! :angel:
Just finished moving the boat trailers (1300kg) axles forward by 25mm to reduce ball weight, was 150kg down to 120kg. I think it towed better before!
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I would off thought so, but Im just a dumb ass chippy, what do you do for a living? ;D :D
reading the next reply from yours i see why i am just a dumb ass chippy also :-[
Extending the drawbar will reduce the load at the tow ball.
In layman's terms, think short crow bar v long crow bar.
The principle is discussed here......
http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=41355.msg682884#msg682884 (http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=41355.msg682884#msg682884)
Reply #5 is the tech version.
makes sense i guess when you speak in the tool sense.... that other gobbly gook me no understandy ;D ;D
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Extending the drawbar will reduce the load at the tow ball.
In layman's terms, think short crow bar v long crow bar.
The principle is discussed here......
http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=41355.msg682884#msg682884 (http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=41355.msg682884#msg682884)
Reply #5 is the tech version.
This works well until you decide I have a longer drawbar now i can put an extra toolbox on the longer drawbar. Then you have to remember the further the weight/mass is away from the pivot point/wheel the heavier it will be at the towball.
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This works well until you decide I have a longer drawbar now i can put an extra toolbox on the longer drawbar. Then you have to remember the further the weight/mass is away from the pivot point/wheel the heavier it will be at the towball.
Comparing apples with apples.
Not talking about adding extra stuff on the extended draw bar...... ::) ::)
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Had mine weighed this morning at a public weigh brige . Lifestyle gen 2 delux soft floor 2 jerry cans on front and fridge and ice box in walk through , 1380 kts for whole thing and 160kg ball weight . Being towed by a nissan x trail deisel with heavey duty springs and air bags and still drops rear 30 mm to big for car I think !
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Yep, think the xtrail only has a towball rating of 150 kg. Time to lose weight or upgrade the xtrail
KB
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Had mine weighed this morning at a public weigh brige.....
Smart move. If everyone did that, there'd be a lot of jaws hitting the ground.......
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As I had pulled all the stuff off the drawbar of ours for a few paint touch ups I thought I would set it up on the scales as I added it back on. With toolbox and pole holder back on and gear back in it came in at 100kg. No clothes or food in but that is at the back of the camper so would reduce further. Currently only going to powered sites/caravan parks so the water tank doesnt get filled either. Filled it/flushed it out today and with around 30 litres in and it will drop another 10-15kg
Al.
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2005 Jayco Dove. Fully loaded bar some food and clothes (maybe 100kg) and 1x empty rear jerrycan.
Ball weight 190kg.
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Small Trackabout - 110kgs going away for a weekend. Expect ~140kgs if fully loaded with 4 jerrys.
Mates Eagle Outback is 160kgs going way for a weekend.
TC :D