Hi all, been lurking the last few days filling up on heaps of great info here. Currently own a Swan Outback and we have just decided to jump up to an Expanda hopefully. Just 3 of us (wife, 2 year old and myself), so don't need copious amounts of room however have been keenly looking at the 18.58 with larger Ensuite and bunk over the cafe seating.
Only problem is I have just noticed on the specs that tare is 2210KG with payload of 450KG so 2660 all up and ball weight is listed as 185KG. Having a fairly new Pajero, it is rated to pull up to 3 tonne but only if ball weight is 180 KG. with ball weights between 180KG and 250KG, trailer weight drops to 2.5 Tonne.Those extra 5KG are killing the idea.
Since it is only the 3 of us, and that is unlikely to change, van would be relatively lightly loaded so could easily stay below max payload. We will be opting for ESC so having weight distribution just that slightly further back isn't such a concern, and only needs to be a slight rearwards move.
We don't want to do a tonne of mods to the van, so I suspect weight distribution would be similar to standard, so given that:
How accurate are the listed numbers on the specs sheet if staying fairly stock?
Do Jayco weight each unit on the line and list lowball weight, or stick to an average pre-calculated number for compliance plates?
Do they adjust the ball weight on the compliance plate if you go for the extended drawbar?
Do they have a factory option to move the spare wheel to the rear bumper like some aftermarket options?
I believe the battery is stored in the front boot, anyone had success in Jayco relocating that to somewhere further back like under the cafe seats?
Anyone had Jayco supply a lower load rating for their van on the plate? IE, instead of the 450 payload they allow for dual axle shower models, ask them to reduce it so plated ATM falls at 2500KG which means the 185KG is a non issue. Only issue with this could be resale later. Could always carry some gear in the back of the Pajero if necessary as there is a decent load rating there to allow for it, and it is just 3 of us, so not a full van of peoples gear to cater for.
Any other ideas that anyone can think of that may assist? Like move the fridge further back in the camper etc?
I am confident I could balance the van safely to pull behind the Paj, especially given it can pull 3 tonne and the ball weight is only JUST over the limit for 2.5T, but sticking point is the actual specs on the compliance plate. Any advice greatly appreciated. Paj is upgraded with Bilstein shocks and Heavy Duty springs with airbags, much like GVM upgrade kits.
Smaller models just don't quite appeal quite so much but may need to be looked into more.
14 is out as it is either bunk beds OR ensuite, can't have both.
16.49-3 is a possibility but has the smaller ensuite and don't have the extra seating and trifold bunk of the larger ones. Although only 3 of us the extra room would be nice given its not a huge amount of $ to go up to the 18.
17.56-2 is a possibility as it has a lower tare of 2145 and being single axle only a load rating of 350 so 2495 all up. Ironically it has a higher ball weight of 199, but all falls with the specs of the Paj, as long as any mods we do don't get added to the weight on the compliance plate as again that will make it fall just outside the magical 2500 limit given the higher ball weight on this model. If the weight each van individually then this may be an issue.
18.58 just seems a better deal given its only $3200 odd more, has a bigger fridge, and larger ensuite, just that weight is the small catch.
Appreciate any ideas or experience anyone has had.
Max
Only problem is I have just noticed on the specs that tare is 2210KG with payload of 450KG so 2660 all up and ball weight is listed as 185KG. Having a fairly new Pajero, it is rated to pull up to 3 tonne but only if ball weight is 180 KG. with ball weights between 180KG and 250KG, trailer weight drops to 2.5 Tonne.Those extra 5KG are killing the idea.
Since it is only the 3 of us, and that is unlikely to change, van would be relatively lightly loaded so could easily stay below max payload. We will be opting for ESC so having weight distribution just that slightly further back isn't such a concern, and only needs to be a slight rearwards move.
We don't want to do a tonne of mods to the van, so I suspect weight distribution would be similar to standard, so given that:
How accurate are the listed numbers on the specs sheet if staying fairly stock?
Do Jayco weight each unit on the line and list lowball weight, or stick to an average pre-calculated number for compliance plates?
Do they adjust the ball weight on the compliance plate if you go for the extended drawbar?
Do they have a factory option to move the spare wheel to the rear bumper like some aftermarket options?
I believe the battery is stored in the front boot, anyone had success in Jayco relocating that to somewhere further back like under the cafe seats?
Anyone had Jayco supply a lower load rating for their van on the plate? IE, instead of the 450 payload they allow for dual axle shower models, ask them to reduce it so plated ATM falls at 2500KG which means the 185KG is a non issue. Only issue with this could be resale later. Could always carry some gear in the back of the Pajero if necessary as there is a decent load rating there to allow for it, and it is just 3 of us, so not a full van of peoples gear to cater for.
Any other ideas that anyone can think of that may assist? Like move the fridge further back in the camper etc?
I am confident I could balance the van safely to pull behind the Paj, especially given it can pull 3 tonne and the ball weight is only JUST over the limit for 2.5T, but sticking point is the actual specs on the compliance plate. Any advice greatly appreciated. Paj is upgraded with Bilstein shocks and Heavy Duty springs with airbags, much like GVM upgrade kits.
Smaller models just don't quite appeal quite so much but may need to be looked into more.
14 is out as it is either bunk beds OR ensuite, can't have both.
16.49-3 is a possibility but has the smaller ensuite and don't have the extra seating and trifold bunk of the larger ones. Although only 3 of us the extra room would be nice given its not a huge amount of $ to go up to the 18.
17.56-2 is a possibility as it has a lower tare of 2145 and being single axle only a load rating of 350 so 2495 all up. Ironically it has a higher ball weight of 199, but all falls with the specs of the Paj, as long as any mods we do don't get added to the weight on the compliance plate as again that will make it fall just outside the magical 2500 limit given the higher ball weight on this model. If the weight each van individually then this may be an issue.
18.58 just seems a better deal given its only $3200 odd more, has a bigger fridge, and larger ensuite, just that weight is the small catch.
Appreciate any ideas or experience anyone has had.
Max
