Desperate for towing advice - Help wanted

[Matt & Donna]

Hi all,

We’ve recently purchased a camper trailer after seeking advice from both the trailer manufacturer, suspension specialists and ARB. I had some reservations about the tow bar setup on our 2007 RAV4 so did the research. As soon as we got the trailer (off-road hitch), the problems became apparent. I had to remove the mudguards on the trailer as it sat too low. The chains did strike the ground also a couple of times on the way home. Weights are within limits (tow at rated 1500kgs, 175kg ball weight - camper trailer is 1000kg unladen and 140kg towball).

Have had airbag suspension installed (Pedders) which has helped stiffen the rear, but trailer hitch still approx. 50mm too low. I can just get the jockey wheel on, but with less than a centimetre clearance from ground.

Seeking advice on what to do now as hard to find tow ball attachment that suits (forums advise not inverting attachments. Are there tow balls we can get that are higher?

The second photo shows the angle when connected. On that day the trailer mudguards we’re already touching the ground (this was pre-airbag suspension).

Have we been mislead? Is this a no go and is this too hard to fix for the rav4?

Thanks in advance.

Matt

Edited May 5, 2018 by Matt & Donna
Spelling mistakes

[trentmeyer23]

Either buy a camper that has better weight distribution or sell the RAV4 and buy a car that has been designed to tow. 140kg is a heavy ball weight. Is that loaded or unloaded weight?

[Matt & Donna]

Hi Trent,

yes unladen, so assuming that even if it’s only 70lt water tank, gas bottle and a fridge added to the trailer, how much is that going to increase the towball weight?

Cheers

[trentmeyer23]

If they are all around that A-Frame section, then you are well over your ball weight. The gas bottle(~20kg filled for a 9kg bottle) alone would put you very close to it.

If the axle was a foot further forward, you would probably be ok. I just think it's a poorly designed trailer on a car that really isn't designed for the purpose. To be fair, I think you will experience similar issues with that trailer in most cars that don't have a more commercial(leaf) rear suspensions. E.g. utes, vans and older 4x4s.

[Matt & Donna]

Thanks Trent,

Some tough decisions then for this week. Hopefully the less than accurate advice we received regarding the vehicle will carry some weight or potentially we’re thousands in the red :(

[trentmeyer23]

It will carry it(unladen), but it is obviously very unhappy in doing do.

[Hiro]

14 hours ago, trentmeyer23 said:

If they are all around that A-Frame section, then you are well over your ball weight. The gas bottle(~20kg filled for a 9kg bottle) alone would put you very close to it.

If the axle was a foot further forward, you would probably be ok. I just think it's a poorly designed trailer on a car that really isn't designed for the purpose. To be fair, I think you will experience similar issues with that trailer in most cars that don't have a more commercial(leaf) rear suspensions. E.g. utes, vans and older 4x4s.

Camper trailers usually are designed for much higher-riding off-roaders anyway, regardless of the rear suspension design.