All fixed and sorted... welded with a diamond shaped plate front and rear (each side and a sold piece of steal under the break. Now stronger than before - guarenteed not to break in the same place.
$3,000.00 to fix though
bloody AAMI only paid $2,000.00 cause they didnt want to enforce or strengthen the repair - so left me high and drey
nice to drive now - but refuse to tow my camper now!
Hi Alby,
nice to see that you have had the Ford sorted out - but probably not 100% happy because you now realise that you can't tow your camper with it.
Unfortunately we are in a similar predicament with our 2010 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 / Tvan Murranji combo.
Poor ride in the Ranger after connecting the loaded CT had me investigating the ball weight. Even with only basics in the kitchen, no fridge in the CT, Porta-Potti, 2KVA Yamaha generator and both water tanks full - it was 219Kg on the ball! Loading examples shown in the owners manual suggest that this could be as high as 250 Kg!
The plate on the genuine Ford towbar showed a ball max of 180Kg. To clarify that a little - the Ford bar can take 250Kg on the ball PROVIDED a load levelling device (WDH) is used. But WDH's and off-road hitches don't go arm in arm!
The ball weight with the trailer completely empty, except 2 full 4Kg gas bottles but no water - is 166Kg. This is reflected on the trailer VIN plate. The Tvan towed OK at this weight.
The 166 Kg ball tare is only 14Kg short of the Ford max capability - so very carefull loading is necessary and things like the generator, porta-potti and also the spare trailer wheel need to be moved from the CT to the rear of the ute. All these items are normally stored in front of the trailer axle and will impact on the ball weight.
So in order for us to be able to tow the Tvan we have to do some serious load calculations and not fill the front water tank. This isn't really a problem for us as I have fitted a 60 L water tank in the Ranger - so would only need the extra water capacity if venturing into a remote dry area.
I think if we continued to overload the ball weight, then we risk a similar situation to what you have been through. Rear chassis damage seems to be a common problem with all brands of japanese light crew cab utes. Have seen many with the 'broken back' syndrome.
Incidentally Hayman Reese can supply a 300Kg ball rated towbar for my Ranger - but this wouldn't help the chassis situation which is basicly too light in my opinion.
Happy camping ... Tuco
