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Drawbars for trailers

Submitted: Saturday, Nov 01, 2003 at 17:59

SteveA

Just interested on everyones thoughts on lengths of drawbars. Went to camping and caravan show here in Bris today and all the camper trailers had differing lengths of drawbars 1300mm to 2100mm. All you people that use them a lot, can you give me feed back on pros and cons of short or the long. (I know the longer the drawbar the easier it is to reverse) but what about when your out in the bush?

Thanks Steve
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AnswerID: 35910   Submitted: Saturday, Nov 01, 2003 at 18:25

chopper replied:

"(I know the longer the drawbar the easier it is to reverse)"

to a point.

I have found that it is relative to the wheelbase of the car.

We have a canoe trailer at work that is over 4 meters from hitch to axle, this reverses nicely behind the bus, but is a little more tricky behind my troopy, and much more difficult behind a friends sierra.

Just a thought...
Reply 1 of 6
AnswerID: 35925   Submitted: Saturday, Nov 01, 2003 at 21:06

Nomad replied:

Steve

The drawbar on my camper is 1830mm. Towed behind the Patrol it is a charm forwards or backwards. Mind you I have so much junk attached to it, it's hard to actually see it! Have not had any problems in the bush. We take it anywhere the truck will go.

Cheers
Reply 2 of 6
FollowupID: 25974   Submitted: Sunday, Nov 02, 2003 at 21:25

SteveA posted:

Looking at most of them I thought that the 1800mm was enough to put a spare on and a tool box maybe
thanks for the feedback
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 35929   Submitted: Saturday, Nov 01, 2003 at 21:30

Member - Mik replied:

Steve, a rule that i was taught in the fabrication trade concerning drawbar lenghts was that the draw bar should be 1/3 + 10/15 percent of the vehicles overall lenght.
I have used this method in the construction of 11 custom built trailers and all owners have been very satisfied.

PS, use this as a guide only as there are a lot of other factors to contend with when purchasing a pre built trailer of any kind

Hope it helps
Mik
Reply 3 of 6
FollowupID: 25954   Submitted: Sunday, Nov 02, 2003 at 10:08

Peter L posted:

A third of what? plus 10 to 15% of the vehicle length

Peter L
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 36030   Submitted: Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 09:56

Nomad replied:

Steve,

My drawbar carrys the following in order from trailer to tow hitch:

Toolbox (Large)
Twin 9kg gas rings (side by side)
Spare wheel mounted vertically

When you register a new trailer in Qld, it is a self assessment thing. The Tpt Dept gives you a form which sets out various lengths, widths etc that the trailer must comply with. Might be worth getting a copy of this.

Cheers
Reply 4 of 6
FollowupID: 26041   Submitted: Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 21:38

SteveA posted:

thanks for that, I will check into that
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 36054   Submitted: Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 12:19

Member - Mik replied:

steve, measure the overall lenght of the vehicle in question, devide this number by a third, then depending on wether storage boxes are being built onto the draw bar ad an amount of between 10 to 15%.
EG, Rodeo space cab Overall lenght, 5200mm devided by three = 1733, 400 mm storage box built onto drawbar = + 15% this gives an overall drawbar lenght from the tow hitch of 1990mm.

It works for me

Mik


Reply 5 of 6
AnswerID: 36120   Submitted: Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 21:40

SteveA replied:

thanks for the info everyone
Reply 6 of 6