Help needed please

[jagman]

I have just purchased a new Sterling Continental 580. My tow car is a Jaguar XF 3.0 Lt
My problem is that I didnt do my home work before buying the caravan. The towball weight of Jag is 75Kgs
The nose weight of the sterling is 89Kgs. Yes I know im stupid.
So apart from replacing the car or caravan do I have any options available to me. I could dump the awning in the back of the caravan to reduce the noseweight a bit but how will that effect the towing.

All help will be appreciated from a very miffed (and stupid) chap

Regards

David

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

Keep both car and van and reduce the towball weight of the van by moving heavy items further back on the floor.
But remember not to overload the van, keep below the MTPLM.

 

[Dustydog]

Don't panic!

Talk to Jaguar.
They probably have a technical solution that may increase your nose weight allowance. Egg stiffer springs and stronger shockers which can be matched to their electronic management solutions.

After all most major caravan manufacturers will change your MTPLM Plate if you ask.

 

[Mel]

You don't really have a problem, as Sir WC said you can change the nose weight of your van by how you load it. Move heavier stuff further back but don,t just load it all at the rear as this will cause instability. A good nose weight gauge or the stick and bathroom scales method ( there are loads of threads on here about measuring nose weight; some of them are quite lengthy ) and some experimental moving about of stuff will sort you out.
Mel

 

[LizziePope]

Firstly, a warm welcome to the Practical Caravan forum, jagman. And I hope some of the advice you've received thus far has been helpful.

 

[waffler]

From a technical point there are several issues that mean you probably need not worry. Remember that all car figures assume 5 adults and loads of luggage, even 2 bikes on the roof. You will probably have 2 adults only. From a legal point you do need to do something. Remove what you can from the gas locker, try smaller bottles if you can. Try removing the leisure battery. If that helps put it in a battery box in the car. (Watch putting heavy stuff at the rear of the boot.) Make sure any boilers are empty. Move heavy stuff backwards in the front bed lockers. Also use the front of the double bed base for heavy stuff. It's a case of trial and error. It will be worth it when you have sorted it.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Jagman,

Please forgive me if you already know this, but your post does beg the question " do you understand what nose weight is and how it comes about"?

Caravans and Trailer are like a see saws. The heaviest end will try to tip downwards. This is exactly what nose load is. You can reduce the nose load by moving some items in your caravan towards the rear of the caravan, until you achieve the nose load you want.

Because the nose load is dependant on how you load a your caravan, the figure the caravan manufacturer gives can only be the ex-works value, and to be honest I don't know why they bother quoting it, as most caravanners will never tow the van in its ex-works condition, AND it is the responsibility of the driver to ensure any caravan is properly trimmed to bring all vehicle and trailer weights within specification for every journey on public roads. This might mean adding ballast to the rear to reduce nose load.

It is important to know how to measure nose load correctly, as the wrong method will give an inaccurate reading. There have been many thread about measuring nose load, I suggest you search for them.

 

[Beachball]

Hi David
This is a belated welcome to the forum .............