Wk diesel towing limits

[Wanderer]

Thanks for that John..Much appreciated..Now I'm informed...I'll pass this onto my Jeep Service Manager..I agree about mixed messages and how they compound the misinformation... FC need to be more proactive in educating their staff...What brought this on for me is that I've just lifted mine with an ARB 50mm lift kit and I asked if this changes towing specs since they replace the Nivomat shocks with OME heavy duty shocks (Please don't ask me about this..I really don't want to swear)... Anyway a young girl asked me on the weekend about getting a Jeep because it can tow 3500kg so I mentioned having to use a WDH..She was surprised because nobody iever mention this to her when she was enquiring..So FC needs to come clean wiith their advertising as well and update the Owner's manual also.

If you PM me I'll give you my personal email address and then if ok email the PDF..The attachment is a little hard to read...Thanks

I notice that they say " Our investigations show that these hitches (WDH) can be safelyn used with all avalible suspension systems" & "For ATMs above 2268kg a WDH can assist with the stability of the vehicle and trailer" Also " Weight Distribution Hitches are recommended for ATMs above 2268kg"...I read this as a recommendation rather that a mandator requirement..Correct me if I'm wrong,

[JnK]

PM Sent

And the wording re the WDH is pretty clear relating to a recommendation - but that was good enough for both my insurers to regard as something I should be able to demonstrate having complied with in the event of any towing related claim.

Our van only goes 2250 loaded so we are borderline on the hitch but I used one with previous GU Patrols on the same van, so I continued using it with the GC. We have QL on the GC so it self levels and tows brilliantly.
I drop the hitch off for rough articulated track surfaces. It can generate tremendous forces.

john

[Wanderer]

Originally Posted by JnK

PM Sent

And the wording re the WDH is pretty clear relating to a recommendation - but that was good enough for both my insurers to regard as something I should be able to demonstrate having complied with in the event of any towing related claim.

Our van only goes 2250 loaded so we are borderline on the hitch but I used one with previous GU Patrols on the same van, so I continued using it with the GC. We have QL on the GC so it self levels and tows brilliantly.
I drop the hitch off for rough articulated track surfaces. It can generate tremendous forces.

john

Yep pretty clear "Recommended" ie. Something (as a course of action) that is recommended as advisable - rather than "must, required or compulsory" aka mandatory.

..Anyway beter to use than not except my worry is like yours..I do a lot of rough road touring and often off the beaten track so using a Ride levellers/Load Leveller (WDH) doesn't exactly excite me either like on the Gibb RR and Dampier Peninsula and other tracks you want to travel & then of course there is the insurance issue but if not compulsory then I can't see how insurance companies can object....But then we all know about insurance companies don't we??

[JnK]

We've done the Gibb River Road a couple of times with the Jeep and the van (most recently May this year, after heading up across the Plenty and doing the Duncan Highway), and on these sorts of surfaces the WDH is fine.
Big spoon drains and dip culverts are much more of a worry at speed - thats where massive loads occur.
I only drop the hitch off on lumpy tracks where angles between the vehicle and van can get extreme.
I see use of the WDH as a risk management issue - the minor inconvenience of fitting and removal is outweighed by the better towing experience provided, and removal of a potential discussion point with either insurer in the event of an incident.
John

[Wanderer]

Good to know..I did the GiBB RR last year, Middle Lagoon (Dampier Peninsular & very rough in) and Mt Elizabet tracks + beack tracks along the Pilbra Coast with my Kimberley Karavan which weigh in at 1900kg with a fair load in the vehicle (big complaint about the KK--very limited storage) but of course no WDH needed. The wife is looking at bigger & probably heavier so reason for looking at implications of towing greater than 2268kg..Raher not tow with a WDH but if no option then so be it.


If anyone wants an to read JPG of the CJD WDH Bulletin 2072-2011



(Thanks JnK for the PDF)