Would a tow ball look terrible?

[stevo_gj]

Well I've inherited a teardrop camper (http://www.trikesaustralia.com/teardrop/what%27s_a_teardrop.htm) which is basically a nifty little campervan that carries all your camping gear. I'm really keen to be able to tow it around using the Z. Generally I don't like the look of tow balls and would say no, but I've heard that you can remove the ball when you aren't using it.

 

Any thoughts?

[Mr240z]

I worked in the towbar bussiness for 15 years and it is not recommanded to fit a towbar to a 240 or 260 as they can't tow more than 250kgs..

 

I wouldn't if I where you unless you want a streched Zed in the end.

[hunterzed]

Just make sure you keep it painted a nice matt black and try to have it tucked up as far as practicle under the rear so don't see it too much when the tongue has been removed. If you get the type that sits outside the rear skirt under the bumper then just paint it the same as your body colour (the car, not yours  ) and it shouldn't stand out too much. Hmm just read your post mr.... Disregard what I wrote. lol

[C.A.R.]

Like this?

 

Yes the tow-ball can be removed.

I'd just make sure that it is sturdy enough & can be bolted to parts of the car that can take the strain.

[lightmaster240z]

Nice car big fella

[stevo_gj]

Hmm interesting. The teardrop camper weighs approximately 300kg so it shouldn't be too bad as far as stretching the chassis. The tow ball on the blue car, I think it's yours spamaster, looks really close to the chrome bumper. How close do the tow hooks come to damaging the bumper?

[reverendzed]

Steve, I have a full towbar setup off a 260 that you can have.

Rev.

[lightmaster240z]

Stevo

I had it for fifteen years and us it all the time and never had any problems with it hitting the car. I towed everthing from our 6x4 to the work tandem trailer with out any hassles plus it a bonus when it come to shin bones being so low.  :

regrads

Bruce 

[garvice]

You can add a tow ball to your datsun, but you will not hear the end of it. 

[nizm0zed]

stretch it enough and you'll be able to fit the back seats and call it a 2+2

[.]

Steve,

    Check the weight of that camper. I believe as far as campers go they are light but even so I expect it will weight 600-800 KG. Just keep in mind that you are adding more than 50% to the car's weight. It won't make for pleasant motoring. Having said that once its unhooked you have your car back for trips around your base camp

[stevo_gj]

Yeah it would only be for the occasional camping trip. From their website: "Approx Weight:360kg"

[lightmaster240z]

I find that the extra weight doesn't seem to effect the car at all. if any thing you just need to be carefull  when braking suddenly.   

[Mr240z]

Being in the towbar business I know there are stick guildlines to towing capacity of each towbar.

Just cause you can tow a tonne doesn't mean you should, That's why towbar manufacturer's

give a lifetime warranty on there products.

Cause if something goes wrong someone has to be held accountable..

 

Liability Insurance

Whilst it is not a requirement of these Standards, it is recommended that towbar

manufacturers ensure that they have adequate liability insurance.

 

Over the years I've heard allot of sad towing story's where people have been injured or worst

cause there towing to much

 

 

Australia Standards

 

http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/lic_CI-116A.pdf

 

I find that the extra weight doesn't seem to effect the car at all. if any thing you just need to be carefull  when braking suddenly.   

So it effect's your braking, but not the car at all

[waxhead]

I think we just figured out how they came up with the 2+2

[pantah]

Dont do it........

Ive got tow ball/ bars on two of my cars and I wish I didnt.................One is  a V8 and can handle it,but no thank you.......None of my Datsuns have tow bars and never will..........

[Cdr Zero]

I really can't see the old Z taking the strain of towing anything to be honest.    Towing is for 4wd's and suv's, not sports cars.

[dat2kman]

Well if Jon Siddens ( Targa Tasmania like for 10 years in one of Australia's quickest "Classic Class" Zeds ) has/had a towbar on his Targa car, I dont see why not.

Jon has been known to have a problem on more than one occasion with his 720 King Cab ute, and has put the ute on the Datsuns trailer, and used the Datsun to tow it home after an event. No problems at all.

[stevo_gj]

I really can't see the old Z taking the strain of towing anything to be honest.    Towing is for 4wd's and suv's, not sports cars.

 

That's a bit hand wavy isn't it?

 

For what I'm towing (360kg) I believe the Z will have no problem. It will look pretty cool as well.

 

I was only concerned with the look it would give the car, but if most of it is removeable as Lurch has said then I see no reason not to get one.

[Cdr Zero]

I just believe in using the right tool for the job, 4wd's and trucks are designed to tow/haul heavy things around, sports-cars generally aren't. 

 

EDIT:  But if you want to tow something, go right ahead.  It's a free country.