Hayman Reese Towbars Class 2 Non Wired MTO for Mercedes E Class 4D Wagon 96-02

1.What is the correct towbar to fit to my vehicle

The towbar must have a capacity that exceeds the loaded weight of the trailer you are intending to tow. Therefore you must check the rating of the towbar and the vehicles rated towing capacity which is included in the towing section of the cars handbook. There are two types of towbar available. For light duty towing generally up to 1250 Kg 'standard' towbars with a bolt on tongue are used. For heavy duty towing a hitch receiver is used which has a square hole designed for a removable ball mount or the Hayman Reese Weight Distributing Hitch.

2.How can I determine the rating or capacity of my vehicle

If your vehicle has a tow rating this can be found in the handbook under the towing section. The vehicle tow rating will include a trailer weight capacity and a trailer ball weight capacity.

3.How can I check my ball weight

Ball weight refers to the weight on the front end of the trailer not carried over the axles. As a rule you should aim to have 10 percent of the total trailer weight as ball weight. This can be measured at a weigh bridge by resting the jockey wheel only on the scale.

4.When do I need a Weight Distributing Hitch

If your trailer's ball weight is causing the back end of the vehicle to sag, a weight distributing hitch can be used to return the vehicle to its normal height and ensure you have full traction for braking and steering control.

The weight distributing hitch is designed to ensure a return to even distribution of weight across all wheels of the tow vehicle and trailer. This even distribution ensures that positive steering and braking control is maintained.

5.What towball should I use

The Australian Standard AS4177-2 recommends that 50mm towballs with a rating of 3500 Kg be used for towing trailers upto 3.5 tonne. The capacity should be stamped on the ball plus the manufacturer's identification and a '50' to indicate the towball diameter in millimetres.