Caravanning

[1 Bravo 6]

After admitting my confusion on the CB Radio thread, I began to wonder if everyone knows what the term TOWBALL DOWNLOAD means ?????

When I bought my Prado, I had to educate the car salesman, who didn't have a clue, so I thought I'd check with y'all. (That's the full extent of my false American accent).

Rick.

:devious: :devious:

[jackwarnock]

It appears you didn't receive a response from others here. It may have been an issue not understood?? by our American cousins?

I do a little bit of towing - mainly with an 18ft Golf Caravan. I tow with a Turbo Diesel Landcruiser 100 series. I am probably more familiar with the term "ball weight". On the Cruiser it has a maximum of 350kg, but generally should represent 10% or more of the trailer weight.

You may be surprised to know that I used to tow with my original 240Z (new 1971). I probably towed things I shouldn't have, but these days we are fortunate to have more appropriate towing equipment.

P.S. I doubt if our American friends would know what a Prado was!! I am not sure they are sold in the American market - probably too small a vehicle!! I don't think the Turbo Diesel Landcruiser would have been sold in that market either, you see very few over there. Those that are there are more likely V8's. Also Lexus LX470's.

I hope we don't get into trouble for drifting away from "Z" discussions?

Regards, Jack

[=Enigma=]

I know what a Prado is. It's somewhat similar to a Toyota 4runner or what the Japanese call a Surf. In fact, I'm running Prado springs in the rear of my lifted 4runner to carry the extra weight of camping gear when I go off-roading. The Prado too small? I think not. But a nice attempt at a covert dig on the American taste for bigger things, but not accurate for the most part.

[1 Bravo 6]

Hey there Jack,

We should be O.K. mate, after all it is Open Discussion.

You mention towing with a Zed. My "Precious" had a towbar fitted when I adopted her. I got rid of it real quicksmart.

One of the most unusual things I've seen in Van parks, is a 24 footer being towed by a "E" Type Jag.

Rick.

:devious: :devious:

[ggarrard]

Rick and Jack - Towball downweight is commonly referred to as "tongue weight" here....representing the maximum downward load the hitch "should" support... As Jack notes it's usually 10% of the maximum trailer weight ratings.... I've never towed with my Z but I don't want even start thinking of some of the overloads I pulled when I drove a tow truck during college...These days I restrict my towing to my van which has a 160kg tongue weight rating...

No Pradas around here...but lots of 4Runners (4 & 6cyl)/Pathfinders etc...and full size 4x4 SUVs or pickups...few are diesel.

GWGarrard

Ottawa, ON, Canada

[TomoHawk]

You're right Rick, People on this side of the big pond need to learn more about speaking English. There's a big gap between all the more important things. Like I'll bet people in the U.S. think a Lorry is a girl! "Tea" is something you drink with your eggroll, a pint is 1/2 a quart, and a quid is squid spelled in a mal-functioning keyboard, not to mention all the words that were screwed up over time, like hurricane (furcane) and barbeque (barabecoa.)

thx

[hls30.com]

Rick,

Don't laugh, but I thought you were making some seriously offhanded remark about the computer issues you have had...

I hadn't considered tounge:p weight(especially in light of the subject of so many of your other threads ya perv:eek: !) as your meaning.

I have an enclosed 26'6" car hauler that has made very short work of moving several of my friends belongings from house to house!

I recently added serious volumes of insulation and a heat pump to it.

Adding the heat pump did significantly add to the tongue weight(all ahead of the wheels) and noticeably change the balance of the trailer:tapemouth , but I just counter it with placement of the load-26'6" is a lot of length to place a Z in...with plenty left to hold a 12V refridgerator, and to stretch out a hammock! With the heat pump, refridgerator, a grill, a hammock and an airbed, if my "she who must be obeyedLOL " ever pitches me out in the back, I've a fluxuray flat to flop in!

With as much trouble as he gets into, that's probabaly why Rick bought his driveable guesthouse, so I can't lay first claim to the idea:cross-eye :laugh: !

Will

PS Tomohawk, that all sounds like loo talk to me!

[1 Bravo 6]

Will,

It's absolutely impossible for me to get into strife with my "She Who Must Be Obeyed". That's because I'm never OUT of the S**T. It's only the depth of it that varies.

Tomohawk,

Ummm, .... yair, .... yair, .......ummmm, .... I think.

What really got my knickers in a knot was the car salesman's lack of knowledge. Every vehicle I looked at, I was assured would "have no trouble towing your van mate". He went a nice, sickley shade of off white, then bright pink when I told him he was bullsh88ting me.

Rick.

:devious: :devious: :devious: