50mm Hitch packer - Where to get one?

PMK

New Member
Jul 25, 2011
194
21
0
Sunbury Victoria
G'Day All,

Sorry if this has been asked before, but didn't want to hijack someone's post. I read about the 50mm Hitch Packer on a couple of posts but I'm not sure where you guys are getting them from. Is Jayco supplying them or are they an after market item?

I asked my dealer can he fit one to my 16.49.1OB during manufacture (due in november) but was told they had heard of them but wouldn't fit one for me. They did suggest I could fit one after I take delivery. I think they were claiming "no responsibility"

I have a GU Patrol with a 50mm Lift & I'm concerned the van will tow nose up. At the moment my Eagle OB tows pretty well level, maybe slightly up. Is the OB expanda hitch mounted at the same height as on the Eagle OB? Sorry for so many questions.......

Thanks in advance,
Paul PMK
 

stuartcarr2002

Active Member
May 13, 2011
387
183
43
Sydney
I have a R51 PAthy with no lift and my outback expanda is nose high. I asked Jayco Newcastle and they didnt have one, but he said you can get one made up at any fabricators. I have a 2010 Eagle outback and on the GU 4 Patrol i had had a 3 inch lift and it rode pretty level. On the Pathy it was a tad low at the front, but nothing to worry about. You will find it will be nose high. The Patrol is a fair bit higher than the Pathy...
 

PMK

New Member
Jul 25, 2011
194
21
0
Sunbury Victoria
I have a R51 PAthy with no lift and my outback expanda is nose high. I asked Jayco Newcastle and they didnt have one, but he said you can get one made up at any fabricators. I have a 2010 Eagle outback and on the GU 4 Patrol i had had a 3 inch lift and it rode pretty level. On the Pathy it was a tad low at the front, but nothing to worry about. You will find it will be nose high. The Patrol is a fair bit higher than the Pathy...

Thanks for the info,
By what your saying the Expanda OB hitches must be lower than the Eagle OB. I guess I'll find out soon enough when I pick up the van in November. If it's a problem then I will get the 50mm paker for the hitch. We have ordered the Trigg on ours & I spoke to the dealer yesterday arvo. He gave me a rough measurement of 420mm to the bottomof the Trigg Block. I'll check this height against the patrol hitch tonight & see what that is.
Thanks again,
Paul
 

boots33

Well-Known Member
Jun 25, 2011
708
679
93
Maudsland Gold Coast Hinterland Qld
Hi Paul
My outback 14.44 is only 40cm to the center of the ball so there is room to raise it, I know Moto and Chartrock got theirs fitted by their Jayco dealer so it makes me wonder why your dealer wont do it. As long as he doesn't raise it past 46cm. There is a photo of Moto's here http://www.expandasdownunder.com/showthread.php/84-Hi-from-The-Gong/page8 Maybe you can get the dealers contact details from Moto and let your dealer talk to them. The other option is to get an adjustable tow hitch for your tow bar if you have a hayman reese type. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/330514081327?hlp=false If you are going to fit a WDH they will also allow you to adjust the height of your tow ball. I have the same problem with my 14.44 and will see if the dealer will fit a 50mm block at the first service.
 

PMK

New Member
Jul 25, 2011
194
21
0
Sunbury Victoria
Thanks Boots,
Had a look at Motos.... Looks like a piece of square section. My wife works for an engineering company I might see what they can come up with as long as I keep the height within the ADR spec (460mm) might be an easier & cheaper solution.
Don't know for sure if I have a problem yet with hitch height but I reckon I will with some of the posts so far. Just trying to have a solution ready for when I finally get the van.
I dont know why my dealer is saying they dont fit them. I might keep on him.
thanks,
Paul

PS; Just had a look at the hitch on ebay you suggested. It only has a tounge down weight of 120kg. If this is the ball weight we would have a problem as the expanda come with a ball weight of 150kg.
 

Bushman

Forum Moderator
Staff member
Nov 9, 2010
3,060
2,345
113
Wollondilly Shire NSW
Hi guys

Both Moto and myself had the hitch block fitted by the dealer, I believe the dealer has them locally made by an engineering place in my case with the WDH in its lowest positions my van was still nose up, the hitch block solve the problem for me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PMK

chartrock

Forum Patriarch
Staff member
Sep 26, 2010
6,127
7,392
113
Gold Coast Hinterland
I have the plates fitted to my draw bar but as my Navara has a 50mm lift the Expanda still tows with a nose up. I am seriously considering ditching the HR WDH and just fitting a goose neck with a lower ball and looking for a different WDH. Because I am travelling at the moment I can't spend a lot of time checking but I can ask at different towbar places. If I can come up with a solution I will have a HR WDH and a 50mm plate setup for sale. :frusty:
 

stuartcarr2002

Active Member
May 13, 2011
387
183
43
Sydney
Thanks Boots,
Had a look at Motos.... Looks like a piece of square section. My wife works for an engineering company I might see what they can come up with as long as I keep the height within the ADR spec (460mm) might be an easier & cheaper solution.
Don't know for sure if I have a problem yet with hitch height but I reckon I will with some of the posts so far. Just trying to have a solution ready for when I finally get the van.
I dont know why my dealer is saying they dont fit them. I might keep on him.
thanks,
Paul

PS; Just had a look at the hitch on ebay you suggested. It only has a tounge down weight of 120kg. If this is the ball weight we would have a problem as the expanda come with a ball weight of 150kg.


How do you measure the 460mm for the ADR. I am going to get a block made, but I want to make sure it is in spec. You all know what insurance companys are like :confused:
 

PMK

New Member
Jul 25, 2011
194
21
0
Sunbury Victoria
How do you measure the 460mm for the ADR. I am going to get a block made, but I want to make sure it is in spec. You all know what insurance companys are like :confused:

I'm not sure but I think it's to the centre of the ball. Maybe someone on the forum will have more info.
I googled it & found this on the "Aust Gov site Infrastructure & Transport" but don't hold me to it;

"16.4.1: 50mm Ball Couplings

Ball couplings used on trailers with an ATM that does not exceed 3.5 tonnes must comply with Australian Standard AS 4177.3-2004 Caravan and light trailer towing components Part 3: Coupling body for ball couplings.

Ball couplings on towbars are required to be installed so that the height of the centre of the body of the ball coupling is between 350mm and 420mm from the ground when laden (Refer to ADR 62/01). Alternatively, if complying with the requirements of ADR 62/02 the maximum height of the centre of the body of the ball coupling may be increased to 460mm. However, the ball may be installed at any other height, provided it is also capable of being adjusted to at least one height within the 350-460mm range.

The coupling body used on trailers should be designed to be compatible with these heights."



Paul
 

millers

Active Member
Mar 25, 2011
282
246
43
Adelaide
I have a 16.49.1 OB with a R51 Pathfinder (no lift) and it tows front high. I have the HR WDH with a drop shank aswell. I have not approached the dealer yet but I am going to ask for the tow point to moved from the bottom to the top of the draw bar.

With the 50mm block check the handbrake on the caravan as they may stop the application of the brake. I bought the bloke from a local caravan place. They indicated they modify / fit these to a number of caravans.

Cheers
Steve
 

Bushman

Forum Moderator
Staff member
Nov 9, 2010
3,060
2,345
113
Wollondilly Shire NSW
With the 50mm block check the handbrake on the caravan as they may stop the application of the brake. I bought the bloke from a local caravan place. They indicated they modify / fit these to a number of caravans.
Cheers
Steve


The 50mm block is made to fit around the handbrake and doesn't affect it application.
 

Moto Moto

Forum Moderator
Staff member
Mar 15, 2011
1,553
567
113
The Gong
Hi all, joining this one pretty late.

PMK, I have a 2006 GU still running factory suspension (dreaming of a lift), but i do have Poly airs. On the van i have the 50mm block and with the van on its close to level but still a little nose up. If your Trol has a 50mm lift, then i would suggest the 50mm block on the van AND maybe a drop hitch (not sure if this is the right terminology), i think cruza is running something like this.

I had a outback Hawk and the outback Expanda is much lower.

Hope this helps.
 

PMK

New Member
Jul 25, 2011
194
21
0
Sunbury Victoria
Thanks Mate,
I'm leaning towards the 50mm block but my dealer won't do it. Don't know why. I will probably get it fitted after delivery as long as I keep the height under the 460mm I should be still OK with the ADR.
Yes the drop hitch is another option but I wait until I have the van & see how it sits.
It's annoying how the Outback Expandas are lower than the Eagle Outbacks.... I wonder whether they (Eagle etc) met the ADR with the hitch height?
Paul
 

Moto Moto

Forum Moderator
Staff member
Mar 15, 2011
1,553
567
113
The Gong
Thanks Mate,
I'm leaning towards the 50mm block but my dealer won't do it. Don't know why. I will probably get it fitted after delivery as long as I keep the height under the 460mm I should be still OK with the ADR.
Yes the drop hitch is another option but I wait until I have the van & see how it sits.
It's annoying how the Outback Expandas are lower than the Eagle Outbacks.... I wonder whether they (Eagle etc) met the ADR with the hitch height?
Paul

Jayco Canberra sell them, give them a try, great bunch to deal with.

As for the heights its all to do with the different axle and much bigger leaf pack. Thats why your single axle model with be overslung, otherwise it would be too high and not compliant (i think).
 

PMK

New Member
Jul 25, 2011
194
21
0
Sunbury Victoria
Jayco Canberra sell them, give them a try, great bunch to deal with.

I'll do that thanks for the info

As for the heights its all to do with the different axle and much bigger leaf pack. Thats why your single axle model with be overslung, otherwise it would be too high and not compliant (i think).

I have spoken to Jayco & the have told me it will be underslung & I'm not sure who now but there is a post on here somewhere that says theirs is underslung too. I'm hoping thats what I get.
Thanks,
Paul
 

Moto Moto

Forum Moderator
Staff member
Mar 15, 2011
1,553
567
113
The Gong
Mate, from my experience dealers don't always know what they are talking about. The expanda brochure has a photo of an underslung axle but this only comes standard on dual axle models.

Most dealers will do an underslung conversion for you but usually on on the touring model not the outback. Thats just my experience anyway. i may be wrong.

Good luck.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PMK

straydingo

Well-Known Member
Jul 4, 2011
1,137
645
113
Melbourne
So with all this talk of the packers, can anyone advise what are the actual measurements of the height of the hitch when standard.
I presume the 16.49 will be lower with the overslung axle and may be better with the packer, but is the 17or 18 already at the maximum ADR height with the underslung?