Getting noseweight correct.

[GeorgeandAde]

Hi.Have just bought a 2007 Lunar Zenith EB.

Very pleased with it and were off for a short trip soon.

Thought i better check the noseweight today(having loaded almost everything into it that we will need)

The noseweight gauge and scales gave a reading of 90kg.

All i have in the front locker is an almost empty gas bottle and 4 small wooden pads for under the legs and the awning etc.over the axle.(spare wheel is located behind axle under chassis).

I admit that the battery was in its locker which weighs 24kg.

I could carry the battery behind the drivers seat in car which may help.

Would it also help to move the awning and poles slightly behind the axle or would that cause instability problems?

 

[Lutz]

Putting heavy stuff just behind the axle may be your best option if there is nothing to remove ahead of the axle. Just don't add weight far at the back. It's better to put something heavy just behind the axle rather than lighter ballast right at the back. It may have the same effect in getting noseweight right, but it will increase the polar moment of inertia, which doesn't do stability any good.

Don't put the battery in the car because you probably won't have anything suitable to secure something as heavy as that in the event of accident.

 

[GeorgeandAde]

Putting heavy stuff just behind the axle may be your best option if there is nothing to remove ahead of the axle. Just don't add weight far at the back. It's better to put something heavy just behind the axle rather than lighter ballast right at the back. It may have the same effect in getting noseweight right, but it will increase the polar moment of inertia, which doesn't do stability any good.

Don't put the battery in the car because you probably won't have anything suitable to secure something as heavy as that in the event of accident.

Thanks for your help lutz.

The battery would actually be stored on the floor behind the passenger seat.I didnt realise just how heavy they are.

At the rear of the van under the bed is a huge storage area where ive put the empty water carriers and waste container,along with the quilt.

On the axle is the awning,poles,microwave and just in front is the step.

Hardly anything in the overhead lockers.

Maybe i will try moving the awning back a foot or two.

Thanks once again.

 

[James_374408700]

Makes you think what are the designers really doing. They seem to put all effort into what the van looks like and have

forgotten to get the basics right.!

Jim

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello James,

The designers may well look at aesthetics, but they do also look at other criteria, and we do know that some of their products simply do not function as well as comparative normal domestic products.

With regard to weight distribution, the designers can supply lockers, but they cannot control what joe public put in them. As all caravanners will load a caravan differently the affect that has on the nose load is unpredictable at the deign stage.

 

[Lutz]

I think James was referring to sometimes excessive ex-works noseweights of some caravans, before the owner actually put anything inside. In that respect I agree with him that, in such cases, the designers didn't do their job properly. One cannot expect the owner to have to bring ballast along at the time he picks up his new caravan from the dealer.

 

[James_374408700]

Hi Lutz,

Yes that was the point I was making. After 30 years of caravanning on and off I find my latest van very nose heavy and I am having to counter balance the van to get the nose weight down to 100kg. This is despite carbon fibre battery and calorlite cylinders!

Jim