minimum tow ball weight Page 250

There isn’t a universal “minimum tow ball weight”; what matters is balanced loading and staying within the limits set by your vehicle and trailer.

In Australia, a common rule of thumb for caravans is around 8–10% of the trailer’s ATM as tow ball download; anything much below about 5% can invite the wobbles.

Never exceed your vehicle’s rated maximum tow ball download or the trailer’s limits—check the placards and the owner’s manuals.

Load heavy items low and slightly forward of the axle, weigh the ball load with a scale, then adjust until it tows straight rather than doing the hula at 100 km/h.

If in doubt, get the rig weighed at a public weighbridge and ask a licensed towing specialist to sanity-check your setup.