When I spoke to Ineos at the drive day about this, they mentioned that they have no objections to one being used.
Yes but every vanner in Oz takes their wdh bars off when leaving the blacktop, or they should. Having a well balanced van just means good design & keeping as much weight as close to the axles, with nothing heavy hanging off the back bumper (like 2 spares, toolbox, jerries etc you see), and not overloading the A-frame.
Yes no problem with body on chassis vehicles, especially with the Gren being built like a railroad car underneath.
I understand the use of them, the recent availability of mobile weighing business' should help those that aren't up to speed with the correct way to load a van. I have seen these in action, very good way to bring to light the imbalance of some vans.
Typically speeds are substantially reduced to cater when properly off road. Barrelling down a smooth well graded dirt road is a different story, bars should be on. I wouldn't go anywhere with a badly weighted van. A van with a 330kg ball weight is not necessarily badly weighted. That weight is ideal for a 3.3T van.
Agreed, however the problem is when you have to leave the level road via a deep culvert/drain - You cannot usually stop on the side of the road before unhitching the bars.
I think the way the IG is weighted, it really does suit towing. How many kgs? I'm not entirely sure what would be the most "comfortable" but personally 3T max for me in any vehicle rated at 3.5T. Otherwise I'd go Ram or light truck.
I did the numbers in regards to payload on my Trialmaster with alloys, bullbar, rails, steps, aux battery, cargo barrier, checkerplates, but no winch. Van ball weight is 255kgs. You quickly reach GVM with just 2 psgrs (150kgs) and the usual gear onboard (but no fridge or drawers). I got to 3498kgs, so 52kgs spare with the 3550 GVM. Adding a winch (38kgs) and I'd sail too close. GVM upgrades will come but prefer to avoid someone like Pedders messing with the suspension.
How much fuel weight did you factor in?
9L so +7.5kgs. Vehicle tare of 2811kgs includes 90% fuel.
Yes the high tare weight & 3550kg GVM limits towing big vans. Any van/trailer over 3T and you'll quickly max out on GVM with a 300+ ball weight. I'm up to 3498kgs with a 255 ball weight, van is only 2.6T ATM.
This video shows how they work, and also how they affect axle weights Vs using airbags.
The old model 2H V6 VW Amarok is a excellent tow vehicle, ( I would not go anywhere near the new Ford Ranger based one ) but the 2010 - 2022 Amarok has a similar rear overhang to A 300 series L/C, but a significantly longer wheel base and slightly wider track making it more stable, I am quite sure the Ineos Grenadier will be A better tow vehicle than an Amarok.
In Oz it's common to see 3.5T dual axle off-road vans being dragged around by 200s. Some are kitted out with every conceivable appliance including a coffee machine. Many have 4 water tanks, 1000w solar, 4-600Ah lithium packs, 2 fridges, full width rear ensuites etc. We probably make the heaviest off-grid caravans in the world, built to tackle corrugated tracks like the Gibb River Rd or Cape York. So ball weight is often up around 350kgs. All too much for a poor old 200s so in recent years many have moved to the big Fords, Rams & GMCs.
I have a Fieldmaster but with all the Trialmaster specs added plus side bars and checkerplates and added the weight to the standard 2,740 (90% fuel) for the base wagon.
