Ballast when towing?

The Jimny handbook states "braked towing capacity is 450kg unless local laws state otherwise" or words to that effect. In the UK braked towing weight is calculated by subtracting the gross vehicle weight number from the gross train weight number on the VIN plate, which comes to 1300kg. I find it interesting that Suzuki gave an allowance for towing 1300kg within the gross train weight, but chose to put such a low braked towing weight in the manual.

Hughes wrote:

Down here in NZ, overrun brakes historically have been the norm, trailer brakes are required on 1 x axle between 2500 - 3000kg, and both axles between 2500 and 3500kg. Over 2500 kg also needs a breakaway system. Generally means electric drums over 2500kg. Also your vehicle needs to stop within 7m from 30kmh.

Interestingly my dealer fitted towbar says 450 kg braked or not with 50kg tongue weight. The towbar itself is much the same design as ones fitted to much bigger vehicles, so I'd say it reflects the vehicles perceived capabilities not the towbars. I've towed more than that (unbraked) with no issue, apart from the massive increase in stopping distance and abysmal performance on hills.

I'd agree with the idea that you'd ballast the front, not the rear as the front is what does pretty much all the braking, but has less traction the more tounge weight you have, this gets heavier of course under braking as the weight balance "shifts" forward on the trailer.

I would consider that a "massive increase in stopping distance" deserved rather more than a quick notation.

Roger

Busta wrote:

The Jimny handbook states "braked towing capacity is 450kg unless local laws state otherwise" or words to that effect. In the UK braked towing weight is calculated by subtracting the gross vehicle weight number from the gross train weight number on the VIN plate, which comes to 1300kg. I find it interesting that Suzuki gave an allowance for towing 1300kg within the gross train weight, but chose to put such a low braked towing weight in the manual.

I assume you meant "un-braked towing capacity".

Roger

You are wrong to assume.

Towing capacity
If there is not any local regulation about the towing capacity (for example, registered or statutory towing capacity), the recommended general towing capacities are;

Recommended general towing capacity:
Braked trailer: 450kg
Unbraked trailer: 350kg

If there is a regulation which specifies maximum trailer weights greater than the capacities shown above; vehicles sold in these countries have towing capacities which match the maximum trailer weight permitted.

 

Lambert wrote:

The only reason that the unbaked is so low is because someone at suzuki lifted the figure straight from the hand book and started putting it on the v5. Under construction and use regulations a car has to be able to tow half it's curb weight. In the hand book it says 350 unless local regulations apply. Now on earlier models that don't have a figure on the v5 then you are good to go at around 550kg but if it's specified then you are 350kg. Physically you will be fine unless you have a bump or get a tug then you are in bother.
 

I just checked my V5 it says 350kg on there for an un-braked trailer (1,300 kg for a braked) and that is for a 2011 registered vehicle.  Still if I got stopped the average plod wouldn't know that (it doesn't say it on the plate) and wouldn't know how much my boat + trailer weighs.

Robin
 

On my Gen.4, the V5 states that the max. towable mass of an un-braked trailer is 350 kg and 1,300 kg for a braked trailer. These figures correspond with the handbook and the specification guide to the Gen.4 Jimny.
Lamberts comment that 550 kg is OK as long as you don't have a bump or get a tug is a highly controversial statement to make and one that could get someone in trouble.

Roger

Busta wrote:

You are wrong to assume.

Towing capacity
If there is not any local regulation about the towing capacity (for example, registered or statutory towing capacity), the recommended general towing capacities are;

Recommended general towing capacity:
Braked trailer: 450kg
Unbraked trailer: 350kg

If there is a regulation which specifies maximum trailer weights greater than the capacities shown above; vehicles sold in these countries have towing capacities which match the maximum trailer weight permitted.


 

The max. towing weight of an un-braked trailer is 350 kg and that for a braked trailer is 1,300 kg. These figures are in the handbook and the specification guide and the V5 document and relate to a Gen.4 Jimny, which I believe is the same for a Gen.3.

Roger

I don't take issue with anyone unless the subject can be construed as dangerous or life threatening. The point here is that Suzuki have clearly stated the towing limits for the Gen.4 Jimny and that is what I have listed. I have given the weights for both braked and un-braked whereas the figure of 550 kg is not related to braked or un-braked. Would you please advise where this figure came from.

Roger

Clearly the information in the Gen4 manual differs from the Gen3 manual.
Lambert is correct in that, unless a different figure is written on the V5, UK law specifies the unbraked towing capacity of a car is half the kerb weight or 750kg, whichever is lower. The Gen3 manual, as I have quoted, states that this regulation would take precedence over Suzuki's guideline figure of 350kg, just as it does with the braked towing capacity.
Some Gen3 Jimnys have 350kg unbraked towing capacity written on the V5, others don't. The ones that don't therefore have an unbraked towing capacity of 550kg. As I stated earlier I have towed an unbraked trailer weighing around 550kg for tens of thousands of miles. It is not a dangerous thing to do.