The Mitsubishi Pajero Owners Club®

Tonyt · Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 20:17 Post subject: Towing Conumdrum

Hi peeps,

OK here is the question!

- 1995 Mitsi 2800 TD Pajero SWB.
- SBS R4/2500 boat trailer (rated at 2050K load)
- Doral 230CC boat, 3929Lbs or 1809Kilos
- Car has the Tow Sure TC700 system on it

Is this setup going to be OK?? Is the TC700 the heavy duty tow option, I think it is.

Want to tow to Spain.

Any advice gratefully received!

Regards,
Tony

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nick the nurse · Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 20:42 Post subject:

You can tow with that bar upto 85% of the towing vehicles weight.so should be fine Very Happy

Tonyt · Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 20:59 Post subject:

Sorry, I'm being a bit thick..the total weight of the boat and trailer is going to be about 2500 Kilos...is that going to be OK? I heard somewhere that the car would two 2800Kilos but I don't want to get this wrong.

nick the nurse · Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 21:06 Post subject:

3170 kilo's is the max you can tow with a SWB 2.8 ...........cheated googled it Laughing

........just hope you can afford the Deisel Bill Shocked

Tonyt · Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 21:31 Post subject:

Ah, OK thanks, I want to make sure this is all going to work before I buy the trailer! Could you send me the google thing you found so I can feel warm and comfy? Smile

nick the nurse · Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 21:52 Post subject:

Just put in maximum towing weight 2.8 SWB Pajero Very Happy

Lenny · Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 0:00 Post subject:

MAJOR NO NO HERE:

You need the gross TRAIN weight for the car.

The towing weight is purely based on WHAT the car is capable of pulling whilst on an incline, it is NOT what it can legally tow. It refers back to the old farm trailer testing at 5mph etc etc.

The amount of people that make that mistake is boggling.

Look on your capacity plates on the vehicle, they have to be there by law.

DaveRob · Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 0:10 Post subject:

Tonyt · Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 8:46 Post subject:

Where are these plates?? I can't find anything....hence my post here..

Lenny · Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 10:01 Post subject:

paul_c2 · ****** Joined: 23 Feb 2009 Posts: 1396 Location: Cheshire

paul_c2 · ****** Joined: 23 Feb 2009 Posts: 1396 Location: Cheshire

PS I agree with the bit about the dangers of towing a trailer greater than the weight of the car. Use the analogy of a shuttlecock, the heavy bit wants to be in front of the light bit when slowing down, so essentially in an emergency stop situation, the car must be able to stabilise and resist the tendency for the trailer to overtake the car and go first.

I know its vague but I heard something about reduced speed limits (50mph?) for trailers where they're heavier than the car....???

Richie · Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 11:13 Post subject:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/CaravansTrailersCommercialVehicles/DG_10013073

Read this and links, beware, the use of terms like GTW Gross train weight, this is a manufacture weight, waht it is designed to do, which differs from local law. and not necessarily the weight allowed by the authorities in the country your towing, and it does, although suppose to be covered by EU law, vary from country to country.

Also, look for the phrase, recommended, etc, advisory and the likes, you need to see what the law is, advice, recommendations are what they are, not the law.

paul_c2 · ****** Joined: 23 Feb 2009 Posts: 1396 Location: Cheshire

Also worth mentioning.....in terms of towing stability.....if the towball is LOWER than the centre of the rear axle, then the forces imparted are favourable. In other words, under heavy acceleration it will not 'wheelie' the car, and under heavy braking, it will push the rear wheels downwards instead of upwards. This is probably the main reason why 4x4s are often seen as being better for towing.

Now, if you have 31x10.5 or whatever tyres, your axle centreline will be 393mm from the ground (approx). And the standard height of the towball (standards say to measure to centre of ball) is 360-420mm. So, if you can use a suitable drop plate and lower the ball to 360mm, you have a more stable outfit.

Tonyt · Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 12:40 Post subject:

Thanks for the replies. There is no plate in the car that shows any towing weight numbers. I'm thinking that my boat and trailer will be around 2.5-2.7 tonnes. Maybe I should just call the local Mitsi dealer and see what they say? Having said that, by it being an import they may decline..