Tow Bar Weight Limit

[howlingbaboon]

Hi All,
I'm considering getting a tow bar mounted platform to transport my mobility scooter (96kg) as I'd prefer to keep all my seats in. Does anyone know what the load weight limit for bongo tow bar mounting points (assuming that the tow bar itself is strong enough)? I was considering going for a Bak Rak - Base Rack (the stronger one). These seem to be the only ones I've found so far in the UK that are strong enough for the job.

http://www.bak-rak.com/

Does anyone have anyone have any experience with such a set up or similar?

Any advice, most appreciated
Cheers

[Bob]

The 'Nose Weight', ie downward force on the tow ball is 85 kgs.

That would be the total of the carrier and scooter so what you propose would be well over and would affect steering and braking.

Sorry.

[howlingbaboon]

Damn! Gutted!

Thanks for the info though Bob and for giving me the technical term I needed.

I wonder if I strip it down a bit and put the heavy captains seat and maybe the 2 batteries inside the van if it could still work. Are you good up to that weight then or do you think it will affect steering significantly as you approach that limit? What do you think?

The rack itself weighs 6kg and then a bit more for the ply base...

[howlingbaboon]

I'll try and get the weights of the removable components

[Bob]

definitely fine with 85 kgs on the tow bar.

We pull a Coachman caravan and need to remove the gas cylinders and battery to get the nose weight down to the limit.

And welcome to the Forum.

[Bob]

Another thought, some of us have fitted air assistors to the rear springs with good effect.

Thes do not increase the weight limit, but do stop the blunt end bouncing so much and bottoming out.

Bongy is designed as a car rather than a van so the suspension is set up for a soft ride rather than heavy load carrying:

http://www.paddockspares.com/da5010-air ... q0EALw_wcB

[fatcatlawyer]

Hi, your request for views struck quite a chord. I want down that thought process about 5 years ago when my wife started to need a mobility scooter.
I even went as far as visiting the maker of the bak rak in Austrey. No joy there unfortunately.
Have you considered the problem from a different point of view?

If the weight is too much consider a lighter scooter. My wife as an "aquasoothe" three wheeler - made by Tzora. These 3 wheelers are much lighter than the usual 4 wheeler scooters, and the battery pack can be lifted off without bending.

Also there is an exhibition at the Nec on the 23Rd and 24th of this month (entry free) I am going to see just what is now available in the lightweight mobility scooter line nowadays.Innovation is happening all the time with design of the scooters.

To accommodate the scooter I removed the middle bench seat and replaced it with a wooden seat at the right height so as to maintain a workable bed system and provide room for the scooter.

Pm me if you want more details.

Yours Ian G.