Tow bar capacity ? only 120kg for a 80 series?

[jeanbono]

Hey all,

Wanted to hook a motorbike carrier at the back of the 80 from 1997 here in Australia, assumed the tow bar receiver was more than enough as PO used to tow huge boats. Even though it looks like I can tow up to 2.5 t, the max ball weight is only 120 kg?? how is this even possible. I thought it was usually 10% so more like 250kg.

I called Hayman Reese and they dont even have record of selling that antic thing in their archives lol.

 

[Mark W]

Since 1991, when the first FJ80 showed up in the US, I have treated 500LBS (227lgs) as acceptable tongue weight. I have over used a number of 80s towing right at the limit of tongue weight and over the gross trailer weight (routine 7000LBs loading, more occasionally I am sure) over some pretty rough and long distance Alaskan and Canadian roads.

35 years, no problems yet.

Mark...

 

[jeanbono]

Thanks. Yeah it was more for insurance/legality etc purposes, safety being the most important one. I'm contacting Hayman Reese to ask them to send me a revised plate, it's definitely been re-rated since then. I'm in Australia btw.

 

[Mark W]

Thanks. Yeah it was more for insurance/legality etc purposes, safety being the most important one. I'm contacting Hayman Reese to ask them to send me a revised plate, it's definitely been re-rated since then. I'm in Australia btw.

Yep, I noticed you were Aussie. And regs are more strictly enforced there than they are in Alaska and Western Canada. Safety wise however I personally have NO questions at all about the US rating of 500/5000lbs. If i was to select the weakest link in using an 80 series at the legal limits of towing... it would be the brakes if you are in mountainous terrain. I won't claim I have NEVER had any brake fade at all. But, I have crossed through the high country with a trailer quite a few times and never had a scare. Knowing what you are doing helps when you are at (or over) the limits.

Anyway I am confident in the 500/5000 lbs rating

Mark...

 

[jeanbono]

i guess its a good thing Ive checked my tow ball and pin before towing anything

 

[jeanbono]

now I’m wondering how sketchy is the receiver itself haha. I know they get rusty but by looking at this, and from bottom it looks crusty as. Bloke from shop did not seem to worried about it and did not even try to sell me another one. That’s from underneath where the spare tyres goes