Can you tell me what these figures mean ?

[keithp]

On my hitch i found these figures .Can you tell me what they all mean and how i get the nose weight to hook up to my car?The cars towball says "S=135.The caravan is a bailey auvergne max weight =1395 MIRO=1185.

This is how figure appear on alko hitch:
C
S 5
e? 00-0930
026.9 S150
My tow car is a Ford ranger wildtrak 3.0 TDCI and max weight is 2921
Hope you can help!

 

[nelmo]

Nope, no idea but I doubt they relate to the required noseweight - more likely hitch manufacturers references.

If you can't find the noseweight in your caravan manual or a website somewhere, the general consensus is to use 7% of the weight - not sure if it means the gross or MIRO but that is either 98 or 83kg (use 90kg if no-one comes on here to correct me).
Also, make sure your car can handle that (but sounds like it will have a 100kg+ towball limit).

 

[JTQ]

I dont think the numbers on your hitch are of any direct help to you.
The S value is the vertical load capability of the hitch itself in kgs.
Do not assume that because they fit a 150 Kg hitch that it means they use a chassis that is also rated at 150 kgs vertical. Given it is a standard UK production van it is very very likely to be on a 100 Kg chassis so from the caravans input your noseweight is limited to 100 Kgs if my assumption is sound.
We then need to look at what the car can take as a noseweight to see if this dictates a lower limit being used.
I personally would try to run at the maximum either the car or caravan allow whichever is the lower limiting value, or not much less that 10 Kgs below this.

 

[Steve L]

Hi Kieth.
S135 is the nose weight of the hitch fitted to your car. (135 Kgs). However you will need to use the max hitch weight for your caravan as it's limit will be less than 135 Kgs. I've tried to use the Bailey website for info but it is about as helpfull as a chocolate fire guard. If you don't have a hand book, you can try speaking to your nearest Bailey agent.

Unfortunately Ford aren't much help either, but at 1395 kgs your van is well within the cars capacity.

Personally Kieth, I try to keep my caravan nose weight at 75Kgs. This seems to be a good weight that gives stability and brake reaction without problems. Too much nose weight causes drag on the over run coupling of the van, reducing the brake function. Too little weight and you get yawing or nodding up & down.
There is very good loading info on PC website. Once you've got the weight right, I'd draw up a load plan so that everyone can load the van correct.
Appologies for not being able to track down more specific info but without your Reg No and VIN No ford can't help much and the bailey site only boasts todays models, despite your van only being 4 years or so old. (According to what tow car site).

 

[Damian]

Whatever load allowance on the car towball, the MAX hitch load is 100Kg for Al-Ko and BPW chassis.
If your car towball load is a lower figure, then that is the MAX you should allow to rest on the towball.
If your car towball limit is more than 100Kg, then you must NOT allow more than 100KG load on the hitch head.

 

[MichaelE]

Is that correct Damian ref the max hitch weight?
My Elddis BPW according to the tech specs is 150kgs or have i read it wrong?Maximum Hitch Weight150kgs / 2.95cwt Mass in Running Order1642kgs / 32.25 Optional Equipment Payload18kgs / 0.35cwt Maximum User Payload178kgs / 3.50cwt Plated MTPLM1820kgs / 35.75 Max MTPLM
2000kgs / 39.28cwt

 

[Damian]

Michael, that is one heavy van at 2000KG , and it depends on which hitch you have as the loading is relative to the hitch head.
Referring to the tech documents I have, that loading is not listed, but I will check and come back on that.

 

[TD42]

The ALKO hitch's max load is 100KG. The noseweight of the caravan is mainly goverend by the allowed noseweight of your car but less than the 100kg max allowedby ALKO. you should be able to find the max noseweight allowance in your cars handbook. but if in doubt I would aim at 75/80 kg noseweight as this is a "normal" car average allowance this may give additional help http://www.cuddles.abelgratis.net/ford.htm#ranger11

 

[DerekBrad]

Does anyone know of a list of weights of typical caravanning items (Mains lead, leisure battery etc) which could be used as a guideline when working out remaining payload?

Regards to all

Derek

 

[MichaelE]

The van is a Super Sirocco not an uncommon van, i havent had it replated so i would expect the normal 1820 kgs fully loaded.
Hitch is a Winterhoff WS3000 although different types seems to relate to what it will pull,on mine i have a D S.
From manual
Safety coupling with stabiliser:
WS 3000 D-S, 3.000kg - EG-Nr. 00-0065 e1
WS 3000 H-S, 2.000kg/1.350kg - EG-Nr. 00-0337 e1
WS 3000 L-S, 1.350kg - EG-Nr. 00-0337 e1
Assembly and operating instructions
1. Technical features
1.1 The ball coupling WS 3000 D-S is suitable for use on central axle drawbar
trailers with an approved total weight of 3.000 kg, an actual minimum trailer
weight of 200 kg and upwards and an approved static support load at the
coupling point of 150 kg. In contrast, the WS 3000 H-S/L-S has the following
specifications: approved total weight 2.000 kg or 1.350 kg.

 

[Damian]

Michael, as you have already found out, but I can confirm, with your chassis and Winterhoff hitch you can have 150KG on the nose, if your car can accomodate that loading.
As with all weight related issues, it is important to check both car and van limits.

On my van which has the same hitch as yours, and a BPW chassis, the max hitch load is 100Kg , due to chassis limitations.

 

[MichaelE]

The car will take 135kgs
What do you think the chassis limitations are? I though they were all the same?
Noseweight seems to be an issue i wonder how many actually know that the hitches are only 100kgs as they presume that if the car is up to 135kgs then its ok to do so , i certainly didnt know?

 

[Damian]

Quote "as they presume that if the car is up to 135kgs then its ok to do so"
Unfortunately there are so many variables that come into play that there is no simple answer.
The car may well have a hitch weight of in excess of 100Kg , but that tries to take account of the many possible uses of the type of trailer which can be pulled, from caravans to flat beds and everything in between.

Different chassis manufacturers set different loadings to suit the application of the chassis, and a caravan chassis is not the strongest in the world, when you compare it with something like an Ifor Williams made to carry heavy industrial equipment.
Then you have the different hitch couplings, of which Al-Ko stipulate a max hitch weight on the AKS 2004, 3004 and 1365 of 100Kg

As with everything relating to cars and trailers, the law states that iti s the drivers responsibility to ensure the correct loading for the application.
VOSA will only go on data they have from their database, and if overloaded will either allow you to discard excess items to bring the weight down, or prohibit you from moving on until you make arrangements to have alternative means of moving the trailer, ie recovery.

That is why it is so important to read the respective manuals which come with car and van/trailer to establish what is correct for your particular combination.

I can only agree that more information should be made available by dealers and a more pro active approach by the Clubs and manufacturers in educating on this issue.

Sadly not all caravan salesmen are very well informed themselves. which does little to help the customer.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hi Damain

Excellent reply.