max hitch weight

[windsurfingsteve]

hello all...
please excuse this thread, but im really confusing myself...ive recently changed my car and the maximum hitch weight is 85kg.....the maximumon the caravan is 100kg....something i never thought about when changing the car....have i made a terrible mistake, or if i check the weight of the hitch and get it to 85kg is it that simple....im sorry if this sounds a bit thick, but i feel a bit silly not knowing or realising until too late....thankyou regards steve

 

[GeorgeandAde]

Hi Steve.
I think you will find that the maximum hitch weight will be goverened by either the car or caravans lowest maximum permissable stated weight.In your case it would be 85kg.
There shouldnt be any problem if you move the weight around in the caravan to get the hitch weight to 85kg or less.
I usually experiment by keeping the heaviest items low down on the floor near the axle and gradually moving them a few inches along the floor one way or the other until i reach the required weight.
I only carry one gas bottle in the front locker,some blocks of wood for use under the corner steadies,a few rags,bungee straps,and a tin of brake cleaner for cleaning the towball and towhitch.
Adrian

 

[windsurfingsteve]

huge sigh of relief....thankyou Adrian
we only normally carry very similar to you in the front locker....i dont know why i began to panic, but i couldnt convince myself if it was correct or not....(.maybe its age)....thankyou will take your recomendations, happy caravanning.
steve

 

[GeorgeandAde]

Your welcome Steve.
Both our car and caravans maximum weight is 100kg,but if I aim for about 80-85 kg,I find this ideal.
Most of the heavy items,I carry in the car eg...awning and poles on the floor between the front and back seats.Basic food,small holdall of clothes,hammers,metal ground pegs,etc..are carried as far to the back of the boot as possible(almost over the cars rear axle).
Oh.........and of course.....wifey in the front seat..ha ha.
I think its just trial and error really to get the balance that you feel happy with.
Good luck.
Adrian

 

[Lutz]

In principle you are correct, Adrian, but there is also a legal requirement for the noseweight to be at least 25kg or 4% of the gross weight of the caravan, whichever is the greater.