TOWING cont.
Chapter 9
TOW AND LOAD
9-5
Recommended procedure for
attaching a trailer
When a trailer is hitched to the vehicle,
it places a weight on the tow bar. This
weight is called the ‘tow ball load’.
If the tow ball load is too light or too heavy,
the steering and handling of the vehicle
may be affected.
As a general guideline, for single
axle trailers, the ball load should be
approximately 10 % of the loaded trailer
mass. For heavy trailers with more than
one axle, the ball load should be in
the range of 5 % - 10 % of the loaded
trailer mass.
Note If the tow ball load exceeds the
range in the maximum towing capacity
table refer to mandatory equipment in the
Towing equipment table further on in this
chapter.
The tow ball load can be adjusted by
correctly packing the contents of the
trailer. For example, by moving items
forwards or backwards within the trailer
so as to change the balance of the trailer.
Check the tow ball load before coupling
the trailer to the towing vehicle.
If the attitude of the vehicle is
compromised, adjust the vehicle and
trailer load within the specications to
improve the attitude. If the vehicle’s
attitude cannot be corrected, use a load
distribution hitch.
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